MUMBAI: DigiCable Networks (India) has got the permission from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for operating as a multi-system operator (MSO) in the Digital Addressable System (Das) notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

DigiCable has got the permission for a period of 10 years, effective 12 June.

The MSO said it is the first one to get the licence from the Ministry.

In a letter, signed by the Under Secretary to the Government of India, DigiCable is notified that Ministry has examined the application of the MSO, dated 11 May 2012, and decided to grant the permission, under Rule 11(C) of the Cable Television Network (Amendment) Rules, 2012 for operating as a MSO in the DAS notified cities of national Capital Territory of Delhi, Municipal Council of Greater Mumbai, and Kolkata Metropolitan.

However, the permission is subject to adherence and compliance of the following terms and conditions:

• The MSO shall comply with all the provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rule made there under, as amended.
• MSO shall abide by the rules/ regulations/ orders/ directions/ guidelines etc. issued by the regulatory authority or by the Ministry.
• MSO shall have the capacity to carry minimum number of television channels specified by the authority.
• MSO shall not carry programming services provided on the channel generated at the level of such MSO which is in violation of the Programme Code specified in Rule 6 and the Advertising Code specified in Rule 7 of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.
• The MSO shall comply with foreign investment guidelines and conditions thereon for Cable TV sector issued by the Central Government from time to time.

Additionally, the MSO will have to display the above terms in their office premises as well as in the premises of its affiliate cable operators.