TEC testing mandatory for CAS, SMS deployed after March 1, 2024: TRAI to DPOs

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday issued an order to all the Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) that in case there is a new deployment of a Conditional Access System (CAS) and Subscriber Management System (SMS) on or after March 1, 2024, then such CAS and SMS must be tested by a testing lab accredited by Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) and certified by TEC or any other agency as designated by the authority.

TRAI in a statement said that it notified the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2021 (1 of 2021), on June 11, 2021, which provides for a framework for technical compliance of CAS and SMS. The said framework is incorporated as Schedule IX in the Interconnection Regulations, 2017.

“The amended Interconnection Regulations, 2017 envisions the operationalisation and oversight of the framework for CAS and SMS which is to be carried out through a Testing and Certification Agency. TRAI designated TEC, Department of Telecommunications as an agency to, inter alia, notify and maintain Test Schedules and Test Procedures for CAS and SMS as per the requirements specified under Schedule IX of the Interconnection Regulations, 2017, empanel/declare the list of accredited labs that fulfil the requirements for carrying out the testing as per the defined Test Schedules and Test Procedures and provide certification for all products tested and certified by the accredited testing labs,” TRAI said.

“Accordingly, TEC has released the Test Guides, certification procedure namely "Certification procedure for certification of CAS and SMS and it has also accredited an agency for testing of CAS and SMS as per the Test Guide. TEC is in the process of accrediting more testing labs for carrying out such testing,” it added.

The certification process would enable the standardisation of CAS and SMS in the systems deployed by DPOs, which would enable access to only subscribed television channels to the subscribers and thereby ensure a check on piracy. Also, the broadcasters will get their fair share of revenues.

TRAI has said that the DPOs are required to get their existing CAS and SMS upgraded to such CAS and SMS that are duly tested and certified by TEC to meet the requirements specified under Schedule IX of the Interconnection Regulations, 2017 on or before March 1, 2025.

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