Direct to Home (DTH) operator Dish TV is planning to launch, in two months, the Conditional Access Module (CAM), a device that allows subscribers to switch over to a new operator using the same set-top box, according to its Chief Operating Officer, Mr Salil Kapoor.

The company had earlier targeted to launch the service in May. Addressing media persons at the launch of its High Definition (HD) service here on Tuesday, Mr Kapoor said, “The CAM device comes in the form of a data card that can be inserted into the set-top box of any DTH operator to get Dish TV’s services.” The guidelines for such inter-usability of DTH equipment have been laid down by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in the licensing norms and the regulator was likely to intervene in case any operator did not have the requisite provisions, he said.

The idea behind launching CAM was to cater to the subscriber base of other DTH operators and reduce installation cost of the company, Mr Kapoor said. Of the new subscribers, about 40 per cent are new DTH users and the balance consists of customers switching over from cable services.

“With new cost-effective and optimal priced services such as DTH and HD, we can reduce the subsidy on the installation cost and thus attain break-even in two years,” he said. The company was also in talks with intercity Volvo bus operators to provide DTH services passengers on individual TV screens attached with the seats, he said.

Source: The Hindu Business Line