New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced several significant amendments and recommendations aimed at enhancing the television broadcasting sector. These include updates to the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services regulations and new recommendations to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) regarding the listing of channels in the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and the upgrade of the DD Free Dish platform to an addressable system.
Key Amendments and Objectives
The new amendments primarily focus on reducing regulatory burdens, providing market-driven flexibility, and ensuring transparency and accountability.
TRAI’s recommendations to MIB focus on the EPG listing of channels and the upgrade of the DD Free Dish platform to an addressable system. MIB should require broadcasters to provide details of the primary language and sub-genre of each channel. This information will enable DPOs to place channels accurately in the EPG, facilitating easier navigation for consumers.
“In order to ensure quality of viewing experience, prevent unauthorized re-transmission of television channels to combat piracy and maintain the record of subscribers, Prasar Bharati to take steps to convert DD Free Dish platform from a non- addressable system to an addressable system and make a beginning by encrypting the signals of private satellite television channels at DD Free Dish head end before uplinking. Subsequently, all other channels of DD Free Dish may also be transmitted in encrypted form,” the document read.
According to the document, Public service broadcasters will be provided with the requisite exemptions of TRAI Regulations, once such notification is issued by MIB.
“Prasar Bharati may utilize indigenous technologies for Conditional Access System (CAS), Subscriber Management System (SMS) and interoperable Set Top Boxes (STBs),” it further read.
Key highlights include:
Tariff Order
The ceiling of Rs 130 for 200 channels and Rs 160 for more than 200 channels has been removed for the Network Capacity Fee (NCF). Service providers can now set market-driven NCFs, which must be published and reported to TRAI for transparency. Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) can now offer up to 45% discounts on channel bouquets, up from the previous 15%, providing flexibility to create attractive consumer packages. Any pay channel available for free on the DTH platform of the public service broadcaster must be declared free-to-air on all addressable platforms. Additionally, Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) are required to declare the tariffs for their platform services.
Interconnection Regulations
The distinction between HD and SD channels has been removed, simplifying the carriage fee regime and promoting the transmission of high-definition content. A single ceiling for carriage fees has been introduced, giving Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) flexibility in setting lower fees as deemed appropriate.
Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations
Charges for services like installation, activation, visiting, relocation, and temporary suspension are now market-driven but must be transparently published by Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs). Certain compliance requirements have been relaxed for smaller DPOs to ease their operational burdens. The duration of all prepaid subscriptions must be specified in days for consumer clarity. DPOs must display the Distributor Retail Price (DRP) alongside the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) in the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and categorize platform service channels under ‘Platform Services’ with transparent pricing.
Background and Regulatory Framework
The complete digitization of the cable TV sector initiated by TRAI in March 2017 marked the beginning of comprehensive regulatory reforms. The Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting and Cable services has undergone multiple revisions, including key amendments in 2020 and 2022, to adapt to the evolving broadcasting ecosystem and address stakeholder concerns.
On 8th August 2023, TRAI issued a consultation paper titled “Review of Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting and Cable Services,” seeking feedback from stakeholders on various issues such as Network Capacity Fee (NCF), discount limits on channel bouquets, HD channel equivalence, mandatory news channels, platform service regulations, and more. These insights led to the recent amendments aimed at fostering a competitive, transparent, and consumer-friendly broadcasting environment.
Financial Disincentives and Transparency
To ensure compliance, TRAI has introduced financial disincentives for violations of the new regulations. Service providers are required to publish all tariff-related information on their websites and communicate these details to subscribers.
