MIB asks cable TV operators to submit CAS & SMS details by June 20

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued an advisory to all registered Multi System Operators (MSOs) across India, directing them to furnish details of their Conditional Access System (CAS) and Subscriber Management System (SMS) to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) by June 20, 2025.

This advisory follows a directive from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which had earlier amended the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017.

According to the amended regulation, “Every distributor of television channels shall, from such date and after such testing and certification, as may be specified by the Authority by order, deploy such a conditional access system and subscriber management system which conform to the requirements as specified in the Schedule IX...”

To facilitate the implementation of this regulation, TRAI designated the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), under the Department of Telecommunications, as the official Testing and Certification Agency. The TEC has since been tasked with maintaining detailed records regarding the version and deployment of CAS and SMS systems used by cable TV operators.

In a letter dated May 28, 2025, the DoT requested the MIB to advise all MSOs to submit the relevant technical information. Acting on this request, the MIB advisory now urges, “All registered Multi System Operators (MSOs) are hereby advised to furnish the requisite information latest by 20.06.2025.”

This move is seen as part of ongoing efforts to ensure standardization, transparency, and regulatory compliance within the broadcasting ecosystem.