Interactive Compliance Checklist for Addressable Systems

Based on TRAI's Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, Schedule III.

Purpose: This tool helps distributors of television channels to conduct a self-assessment of their compliance with the technical and operational requirements for Conditional Access Systems (CAS) and Subscriber Management Systems (SMS). Failure to comply can lead to financial disincentives or disconnection of signals from broadcasters. TRAI has established this framework to ensure a trust-based audit regime.

Audit & Scheduling Requirements

The annual audit includes both a technical audit (Schedule III) and a Subscription Audit.

There is a gap of at least six months between the audits of two consecutive calendar years.

There is not a gap of more than 18 months between audits of two consecutive calendar years.

CAS & SMS Requirements

The current CAS version has no history of hacking.

A written declaration from the CAS vendor is required for compliance.

SMS can generate and maintain unalterable logs for the last two years for every command.

STBs cannot be activated/deactivated directly from the CAS terminal; all commands must come from the SMS.

CAS and SMS are integrated so activation/deactivation occurs simultaneously in both systems.

CAS has Over-The-Air (OTA) capability to upgrade STBs.

System has the capacity to activate/deactivate at least 5% of the subscriber base within 24 hours.

STB and Viewing Card (VC) are paired from the SMS.

CAS/SMS can individually address subscribers on a channel-by-channel and STB-by-STB basis for reporting.

SMS records all required subscriber information (Unique ID, name, address, contact, subscriptions, STB/VC numbers, etc.).

SMS can generate historical data on activations, deactivations, and subscription changes.

SMS can generate all required reports (total/active/suspended subscribers, channel-wise reports, etc.).

CAS can independently generate logs for all commands from the last two years.

CAS can blacklist VCs/STBs involved in piracy.

CAS logs can generate reports on STB-VC pairing, activation/deactivation, and channel assignments.

SMS can generate itemized bills for each subscriber.

CAS and SMS vendors have 24x7 technical support capability in India.

Details of all deployed CAS/SMS have been declared to broadcasters.

Upon deactivation from SMS, all services are denied to the subscriber.

Unedited data from CAS and SMS is preserved for at least two years.

Fingerprinting Requirements

Systems and processes are in place to run fingerprinting at regular intervals.

STB supports both visible (overt) and covert fingerprinting.

Fingerprinting cannot be invalidated by any device or software.

Fingerprinting cannot be removed by pressing any key on the remote.

Fingerprinting appears on the topmost video layer.

Fingerprinting can identify the unique STB or VC number.

Fingerprinting appears on all screens (menu, EPG, blank screen, etc.).

Fingerprint location, font color, and background are changeable from the headend and random on the viewing device.

Fingerprinting is possible on both a global and individual STB basis.

Overt fingerprinting is displayed without alteration to time, location, duration, and frequency.

Scroll messaging is restricted to the lower part of the screen.

STB has a provision ensuring fingerprinting is never disabled.

Watermarking/network logos for pay channels are inserted at the encoder end.

Set-Top Box (STB) Requirements

All STBs have a Conditional Access System.

STB is capable of decrypting Conditional Access messages from the Head-end.

STB is individually addressable from the Head-end.

STB can receive messages (global, group, individual) of at least 120 characters.

STB has forced messaging and forced fingerprinting display capability.

STB is compliant with applicable Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

STB is addressable over-the-air (OTA) for software upgrades.

STBs with recording facilities have a copy protection system.

Mandatory System Certification

Background: As per a TRAI order, all distributors must have their deployed CAS and SMS tested and certified by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC). This is a critical compliance step to avoid penalties and ensure systems meet national standards.

Our deployed Conditional Access System (CAS) has been tested by a TEC-accredited lab.

Our deployed Subscriber Management System (SMS) has been tested by a TEC-accredited lab.

We have obtained the final certification for our CAS from TEC.

We have obtained the final certification for our SMS from TEC.

All compliance documentation related to certification is filed and available for audit.

Interactive Compliance Checklist for Addressable Systems

Audit & Scheduling Requirements

CAS & SMS Requirements

Fingerprinting Requirements

Set-Top Box (STB) Requirements

Mandatory System Certification

Overall Compliance Progress

Compliance Summary Report

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