In Access India Convention held in the Feb We were shown/heard Talking TV PPT. And what has developed since then in India? it is good opportunity to talk to the relevant ministry and the Set-of-Box manufacturers to come with accessible features. Interested NGOs/individuals can take this opportunity seriously. and undoubtedly there is a huge market. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141009/jsp/nation/story_18908411.jsp Smooth cable switch OUR CORRESPONDENT New Delhi, Oct. 8: Cable TV and DTH subscribers will have the option of switching operators without having to change their set-top boxes.
Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar announced the plan today, citing the example of portability in cellphones under which customers change service-providers but not their numbers. Javadekar said the Centre was working towards a system under which TV subscribers too would be able to change operators by merely inserting a new card instead of having to buy a new set-top box. "Like the portability of the mobile phone (number), viewers should have options with set-top boxes. They should be able to put in any card (of the service provider) of their choice into the box," the minister said after chairing a meeting of a task force on cable TV digitisation. The Centre recently asked regulator Trai to explore how set-top box "inter-operability" could be made possible. "Inter-operability will give the customer flexibility to change the operator without having to change the equipment. It will only require changing a smart card, as in mobile phones," said a ministry official. At the meeting, Javadekar reviewed the progress of the third and fourth phases of cable digitisation -- which ensures better picture and sound quality and more channels -- that will see the change spread to villages from the big cities covered in the first two stages. The task force will suggest ways to bring in set-top box inter-operability and price them affordably. The Centre has urged domestic manufacturers to produce such boxes at competitive rates, with the telecom ministry formally declaring the devices "network equipment". Javadekar said the tag would offer local manufacturers a level-playing field with foreign makers. For the first two phases of digitisation, the set-top boxes were mostly imported, with duty rates lowered to make them affordable. -- Avinash Shahi Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU Clean India Campaign: Let us also chip in! Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
