Hoping to get a clear picture on the conditional access system, the government is likely to meet broadcasters as well as multi-system operators on June 18.

The idea of such a meeting is to put a concrete arrangement on ground since there are several issues common to broadcasters and MSOs, information and broadcasting ministry sources said.

With the broadcasters yet to come out with rates of pay channels less than a month before its implementation in the four metros, the consumer is still in the dark about what a package of free-to-air and pay channels may cost though the government has assured it would be around Rs 200.

The government has asked them to come out with details of which channels will be free-to-air and which others pay, rates of each pay channel and details about arrival of set-top boxes which would be required to access pay channels.

Sources said all these issues are likely to come up at the meeting likely to be convened by secretary, information and broadcasting ministry and to be attended by other ministry officials. The government is aiming at as "painless" a rollover as possible from July 15, they said.

Though the government does not have specific figures about the demand and arrival of set-top boxes, Siti Cable claims to be in a position to provide 600,000 boxes by July 15 and Hathway says it can make 400,000 available.