The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) granted a new license to Iscom Media Pvt. Ltd., a multi-system operator (MSO), between September 6 and October 1, 2024. During the same period, six MSOs surrendered their registrations, bringing the total number of registered MSOs in India to 845 by the end of September, down from 850 in August, according to a report in The Economic Times.
The six MSOs that surrendered their licenses include:
- CPC Digital Network
- Indian Digital
- Feasible Communications Pvt. Ltd.
- World Vision Cable Network
- North Star Satellite Cable
- Chalisgaon Cable Network
Among these, North Star Satellite Cable and Chalisgaon Cable Network were found non-compliant with regulatory standards, which prompted their exits from the market.
According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) performance report, as of June 30, 2024, there were 880 MSOs and one Headend-In-The-Sky (HITS) operator registered with the MIB. This figure included 11 MSOs and one HITS operator with a subscriber base exceeding one million.
The MSO market has seen notable shifts in recent months, with several players exiting the industry due to non-compliance or other reasons, impacting the overall count of registered operators.
Leading MSOs in India
In terms of subscribers, the leading MSOs in India include:
- GTPL Hathway, with approximately 9.15 million users
- Hathway Digital Ltd., with 5.27 million subscribers
- Siti Networks Ltd., with 5.15 million subscribers
These three MSOs continue to dominate the market, accounting for a significant portion of the subscriber base in India’s cable and digital television sector.
Key Highlights:
- Iscom Media Pvt. Ltd. received a new license from MIB between September and October 2024.
- Six MSOs surrendered their licenses during this period, reducing the total number of MSOs to 845.
- North Star Satellite Cable and Chalisgaon Cable Network were non-compliant with regulatory standards.
- GTPL Hathway, Hathway Digital, and Siti Networks lead the market in terms of subscribers.