Government on Monday introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to make changes in the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, making digitisation mandatory. The Bill introduced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Sonia, seeks to digitise the cable sector in the country by December 31, 2014. While the plan is for complete digitisation of cable television in the four metros by March 31, 2012, the next target will be cities with over 10 lakh population. By the end of 2014, the entire country is expected to have phased out analogue cable TV. The measure will empower consumer to high quality viewing and also higher number of TV channels. There will be no prime band after introduction of digitisation.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, TRAI had in August last year recommended digitisation of the cable sector and Information and Broadcasting Ministry had accepted the same.