Dharan Nagari in Haridwar (Uttrakhand) is the latest battleground of Cable Wars originating from the unfair and impractical regulations of mandatory implementing digitalisation in Cable TV.
Since Phase III and IV of digitalisation is nearing its deadline of 31 December 2014, all large MSOs are trying their best to spread their networks from large cities to smaller ones and Rural Areas. Existing Cable Operators who are working in these areas for the last twenty or more years are resisting any hostile takeovers and forced entry since they own the last mile consumer connections.
Since Cable TV business is cash rich, many MSOs are supported by Politicians or mafia which makes these battles more dirty and fierce.
Recently, in Haridwar an official of the Tax department was also manhandled when on the orders of the DC he went to close and seize an illegal cable network under the City Police Station. A case for obstructing the work of an official on duty has been filed against Harish Malhotra, owner of the Cable Network and some of his employees who are absconding.
This is not the first time that Haridwar is witnessing Cable Wars. Way back in 1998 and upto 2004 there were many such wars fought to gain a large subscriber base in the area. However it was all quiet in the last ten years.
Source: http://cablequest.org/news/cable-news/item/5736-cable-war-flares-up-in-holy-city-of-haridwar-in-uttrakhand.html
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