India to phase out analogue

Analogue cable television will become obsolete in India in three years' time, with the government deciding to promulgate an ordinance to make the digitalisation of cable services mandatory by 2014, The Hindu reports.

On Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's proposal to promulgate the Digitalisation of Analogue Cable Systems Ordinance.

According to The Economic Times, the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act will be amended through an ordinance, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday.

Consumers in the four main metros - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai - will be the first to switch to the new system.

Daily News & Analysis reports that the ordinance will now pass through the Law Ministry to the president for a final signature, after which it would be ratified by Parliament within six months.

The cable and satellite television industry has hailed the initiative as a game-changer.