New Delhi : Centre on Wednesday said it would not extend the last date to switch off analog signals under Phase III of its digitisation of urban areas and appealed to subscribers to procure Set Top boxes to avoid any inconvenience.

"Cable subscribers who have not yet taken set top boxes and are residing in urban areas which fall under Phase III of digitisation, are advised to obtain the same from the cable operators in their areas immediately," a statement from the Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry said.

The statement said that cable subscribers would not be able to watch TV services through cable TV networks if they do not procure set top boxes.

"It is brought to the notice of all concerned that I&B Ministry would not grant any extension beyond January 31 to switch off analog signals in Phase III of digitisation of urban areas," the statement said.

The statement added that chief secretaries of all states/UTs have been requested to ensure that the authorised officers get acquainted with their powers and specified rules to enforce them against defaulters if they continue to carry analog signal in Phase III urban areas.

The ministry had issued instructions to all the broadcasters, Multi System Operators (MSOs) and Local Cable Operators (LCOs) to ensure that no analog signals are transmitted over the cable networks in Phase III urban areas after January 31.

--IANS