With just three more days to go before the conditional access system (CAS) comes in to force, and the signals for pay channels will be snapped up in about two million homes in the CAS designated area —that is, if a set top box or a DTH antenna has not been installed already. As we near the 31 December deadline, competition is leading to discount pricing, attractive offers and value added services, reports CNBC-TV18.

DTH or a set top box — that is the question on the consumer's mind. Before we get to the competition brewing in the market, lets try and demsytify the CAS debate. DTH offers easy mobility while CAS doesn't. The correct installation of DTH antenna is critical. The minimum cost of a 'set top box' (for CAS) or a 'dish antenna' (for DTH) is Rs1,500.

If you are constantly on the move then you will you will need to buy a new box in case you shift a different multi service operator (MSO) region, so a set top box may not be the ideal solution. DTH on the other hand can be used in any part of the country, and will cut out middlemen like cable operators. However, the correct installation of a DTH antenna is critical to ensure quality picture.

Apart from features, pricing is another key factor. The minimum you need to shell out to buy a set top box or a dish antenna is about Rs1500 — so there really is no difference in the hardware cost Service providers are offering attractive schemes to attract customers. Players are also trying to get a competitive edge with innovative value added services. GalaxZee from WWIL group, for instance, will soon launch a separate box with its add on services like internet and movies on demand around March next year.So here is what's on offer.

Lets start with schemes for set top boxes:
GalaxZee will offer 101 channels for Rs600, at least 25 of which will be pay channels Incable charges Rs1,500 for the first six months and is offering a set top box along with three bouquet options for six months Hathway is charging Rs85 for 23 pay channels at a discount of 25 per cent or 34 pay channels for Rs120 at a discount of 29 per cent

Channels on offer:
GalaxZee's Rs1,800 combo offer, includes 101 channesl for a subscription fee of Rs600 of which at least 25 will be pay.
Incable will offer the box and three bouquet options for Rs1,500 for the first six months.

Hathway is offering 23 pay channels for Rs85 and 34 pay channels for Rs120.

As per TRAI rules every subscriber will need to shell out an additional Rs77 for free to air channels. So your monthly bill could range between Rs150-Rs300.

Direct to Home
Tata Sky has just announced free subscription for six months. So if your planning on subscribing to Dish TV you will get 85 channels for Rs210 and 125 channels for Rs240.

Consumers who followed the wait and watch policy seem to be gaining the most. As we near the 31st December deadline, attractive offers, discounted prices, value added services are all being rolled in to attract the consumer. Even the last two days might see some action from the industry players adding to the expected scramble.