NEW DELHI: Clearly, the pressure of the approaching deadline for the third phase of Digital Addressable System (DAS) is beginning to show its signs in the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry, with a second list of registered multi system operators (MSOs) being issued within one month.

A total of 372 MSOs were issued registration today, which included 226 who have ten-year registration and 146 who have provisional licences.

With indications coming from the Home Ministry that MSOs may no longer insist on security clearance, the hope of the 146 becoming permanent have brightened.

According to the list issued on 14 August, the Ministry had registered a total of 349 MSOs of which 126 were provisional.

The total figure is impressive considering that 74 new MSOs have been permitted to operate since 12 July, though a majority of them have provisional licences.

While a majority of MSOs including Kal Cables have had their licences cancelled following the Home Ministry denying security clearance, some have been cancelled for non-operation. These include four cancelled in 2015.

Eleven MSOs who had earlier been granted permanent licences were permitted to change their areas of operation.

Provisional licences given after 12 July total 66 including one for Assam and another for Mizoram. Provisional licence had been issued prior to 12 July to one MSO in Kashmir.