MUMBAI: Talk about bad timing. A key executive each from Mumbai's Big Two MSOs - INCableNet and Hathway - have put in their papers.

 
INCableNet COO Rajiv Vyas has resigned from his post as on 31 October, a company statement says.

"Mr Rajiv Vyas served the company for over two years. He has resigned for personal reasons. We wish him all the success in his endeavours," the official release from the Hinduja Group company says.

The Star India-backed rival MSO Hathway Cable and Datacom has also seen a departure. Hathway vice-president Neeraj Bhatia resigned mid-week.

Spokespersons from both companies said no replacements have been identified at this point but would be announced in due course.

Vyas' case in particular comes at an awkward time since he was the key pointperson who represented INCableNet in meetings with both broadcasters and government officials these last few months, in negotiations linked to the (non)rollout of conditional access in the metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

December is expected to be a high action month for the MSOs as India kicks off its tour Down Under and the industry is expecting ESPN Star Sports (ESS) to announce its annual rate hike at the time. ESS has exclusive broadcast rights for the series. If the events of last year are any indicator, the other pay broadcasters should also announce their new rate cards soon after.

Additionally, INCableNet has already announced it will implement CAS unilaterally in December, using various 'carrot' options for consumers, including pay-per-view services, interactive games and a large offering of up to 114 channels.