TRAI today issued a crucial directive to all Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) stipulating that for any new deployment of CAS or SMS systems occurring on or after March 1, 2024, the operators must exclusively utilize systems that have been rigorously tested by a testing laboratory accredited by TEC (Telecommunication Engineering Centre) and subsequently certified by TEC or other designated agencies, as authorized by the Authority.

This move is designed to ensure strict adherence to the requirements outlined in Schedule IX of the Interconnection Regulations, 2017, Trai said in a statement.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken significant steps towards enhancing the technical compliance of Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) service Interconnection.

It notified on June 11, 2021 the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2021 (1 of 2021), where the regulations introduced a comprehensive framework for Conditional Access Systems (CAS) and Subscriber Management Systems (SMS).

Further, a DPO is mandated to upgrade its existing CAS and SMS systems to versions that have undergone thorough testing and certification by TEC.

This upgrade is intended to bring the systems in alignment with the specific criteria specified under Schedule IX of the Interconnection Regulations, 2017.

The deadline for this compliance upgrade is set for March 1, 2025.

However, the amended Interconnection Regulations, 2017, envision the operationalization and oversight of the framework for CAS and SMS, which is to be carried out through a testing and certification agency.

On TRAI’s behest, the TEC has released the test guides, certification procedure, namely “Certification Procedure for Certification of Conditional Access System (CAS) and Subscriber Management System (SMS)” and it has also accredited an agency for testing of CAS and SMS as per the guide.