The Indian government has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on policy guidelines issued for Headend In The Sky (HITS) operators . This decision comes after 2 years of receiving TRAI's recommendations on the digital transmission in cable TV. With HITS, the government expects further penetration of cable TV especially in the rural areas. What is HITS? Headend In The Sky, HITS, is a digital distribution platform that, when installed by cable TV providers, will allow them to offer more channels in higher quality (digital signals downlinked via satellite transmission) over their existing cable network. Unlike DTH, HITS is allowed to operate in both the traditional ‘C-Band’ as well as the DTH operators' ‘Ku-Band’. The quality may be better on HITS transmitted channels as the Ku Band is vulnerable to rain which causes deterioration in signal strength. HITS operators will be able to uplink from India only, so broadcasters will also have to change their licenses to ensure their channels are received. No Sunset Hour? It appears that the ministry has changed its decision of ordering complete digitisation of analogue cable TV operations. Unlike Conditional Access System (CAS), the guidelines do not make it compulsory for cable operators and MSOs to switch to HITS and they can continue with their existing system. HITS is being encouraged to lower the operational costs of operators: all the channels would be bundled up in one digital signal, reducing capital investment for operators. The ministry has attempted to ease their…
