Shares of Hathway Cable and Den Networks jumped after telecom cum broadcasting regulator TRAI said that all cable operators need to switch to digital systems by December 2013.

Shares of DTH operators Dish TV and Sun TV also gained amid optimism that the TRAI ruling may prompt many consumers to opt for DTH services.

TRAI said that all-India digitalisation of cable television should be implemented in four phases. Cable operators in the four metro cities Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai should switch to digital cable systems as early as March, 2011.

In the second phase, all cities with population of over one million should turn digital by December 2011. This should be followed by digitalisation of cable television systems in all the urban areas by December 2012.

TRAI said that all cable operators in the country should switch from analogue to digital systems by December 2013.

The regulator said that digital cable television systems will enable television viewers to receive high quality television signals of their choice and have the option to subscribe to channels on A-La-Carte basis. In addition, it will ensure access to many more channels in comparison with analogue cable.

Source: India Infoline Ltd.