The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a formal advisory to all Multi System Operators (MSOs) across India, asking them to submit technical information about their Conditional Access System (CAS) and Subscriber Management System (SMS) to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) by June 20, 2025.
This announcement follows a directive from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which recently amended its rules to ensure more transparency and standardization in the television broadcasting industry.
Earlier, TRAI made changes to the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017. The revised guidelines require that every TV distributor, including MSOs, must deploy CAS and SMS systems that meet specific technical standards.
“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,” the regulation states.
To oversee implementation, TRAI appointed the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) a division under the DoT, as the official Testing and Certification Agency. The TEC is now responsible for maintaining a central database of the CAS and SMS systems deployed across the country, including their version details and usage by various cable operators.
Following TRAI’s update, the DoT sent a letter on May 28, 2025, to the MIB, requesting that all MSOs be advised to submit their CAS and SMS details. Acting on this request, the MIB issued an advisory urging all registered MSOs to act quickly.
“All registered Multi System Operators (MSOs) are hereby advised to furnish the requisite information latest by 20.06.2025,” the advisory stated.
The move is intended to support TRAI’s goal of ensuring better service quality, accountability, and transparency in India’s broadcasting and cable TV ecosystem.
Conditional Access Systems (CAS) and Subscriber Management Systems (SMS) are essential tools that help cable operators control access to TV content, manage subscriber data, and ensure billing accuracy. With the deployment of certified and tested systems, regulators aim to reduce technical loopholes, piracy, and service inconsistencies.
Furthermore, this centralized information will help authorities monitor compliance and enforce standards more effectively, thereby improving the quality of service for millions of TV viewers across India.
“This move is part of our continued efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks and ensure a fair, transparent broadcasting environment,” said an unnamed senior official from the Ministry.
To comply with the advisory, MSOs must:
- Compile detailed information about the version and deployment of their CAS and SMS systems.
- Ensure the systems they use meet the technical standards laid out by TRAI in Schedule IX of the updated regulations.
- Submit this data to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) before June 20, 2025.
Failure to submit the required information by the deadline could result in further scrutiny or action from the regulatory authorities.
Notably, this development is seen as part of the government’s broader plan to create a digitally secure and standardized broadcasting framework. With the increased integration of digital technologies in TV services, having a unified system for tracking and certifying CAS and SMS tools will ensure better consumer protection and stronger oversight.
As India’s broadcasting sector continues to evolve, such reforms are expected to play a crucial role in promoting efficiency, reliability, and innovation.