Section 13 in Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994
13. [ Supply and installation of Set Top Boxes. [Substituted by Notification No. G.S.R. 452(E) dated 31.7.2006 (w.e.f. 29.9.1994).]
(1)Every subscriber in the notified areas who desires to receive one or more pay channels shall, during the public awareness campaign under rule 12 or within fifteen days after its expiry, apply to any one of the multi-system operators granted permission under sub-rule (3) of rule 11 either directly or through any of his linked local cable operators, to supply and install one or more set top boxes in his premises as per the scheme approved by the Authority and deliver the requisite channels through the same:Provided that every subscriber shall be free to buy a Set Top Box of approved quality from the open market, if available and technically compatible with the multi-system operator 's system, and no multi-system operator or cable operator shall force any subscriber to buy or to take on rent the set top box from him only.(2)Every subscriber in the notified areas who desires to receive one or more pay channels, and who failed to apply within the period prescribed under sub-rule (1) may at any time either buy a set top box of approved quality from the open market, if available and technically compatible with the multi-system operator 's system, or apply to any one of the multi-system operators granted permission under sub-rule (3) of rule 11 either directly or through any of his linked local cable operators, to supply and install one or more set top boxes in his premises as per the scheme approved by the Authority and deliver the requisite channels through the same or through the set top box of approved quality acquired by the applicant on his own, as the case may be.(3)Every multi-system operator shall procure, supply and install the required number of set top boxes of approved quality in the premises of every applicant under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) within a period as may be determined by regulation or order by the Authority from the date of receipt of such application, and transmit the requisite pay channels through the same or through the set top box of approved quality acquired by the applicant on his own, as the case may be.(4)Every multi-system operator shall set up and operationalise its subscriber management system within a time frame as may be determined by regulation or order by the Authority, for ensuring efficient and error-free service to the subscribers by recording and providing individualised preferences for pay channels, billing cycles, refunds, etc.(5)In the event of the failure of any multi-system operator to supply and install a set top box each in the premises of one or more applicants under sub-rule (1) or to operationalise subscriber management system within the time limit as determined by regulation or order by the Authority, then the Authority may, so as to protect the interests of the subscribers, take interim measures to ensure supply of signals. ]
