NEW DELHI: Even as the deadline for completing the third phase of Digital Addressable System (DAS) appears to be hovering over, only 62 multi system operators (MSOs) have so far approached broadcasters for finalising inter connect agreements.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) today again asked all registered MSOs to immediately send their requests to broadcasters for interconnection agreements on channels in Phase lll areas.

In case broadcasters do not respond to their requests, the MSOs have been asked to inform the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) immediately in this regard, with a copy to the MIB.

It was pointed out that the Ministry had, by an email of 6 April this year, advised all MSOs to send the copies of their communication with broadcasters regarding RlOs to TRAI for intervention.

But “it appears that some MSOs have either not approached broadcasters for channels or have not informed TRAl about their problem,” MIB said in its advisory.

According to Chapter ll of the Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable System) Regulations 2012 issued by TRAI, MSO are required to send a request to the broadcasters for TV channels in DAS areas and on their requests broadcasters are required to send their Reference Interconnect Offer (RlO) to them within 60 days of receipt of such requests.

MSOs operating or planning to operate in Phase lll areas should have by now entered into interconnection agreements with the broadcasters, but the Ministry said “it is given to understand from the periodical reports submitted by the broadcasters to TRAI that only 62 MSOs have so far approached them for interconnection agreements for TV channels for phase lll areas.”