The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a consultation paper on ‘Review of regulatory framework for broadcasting and cable services’ on August 8, 2023, to address remaining issues pertaining to tariff, interconnection and quality of service.
After new tariffs under NTO 2.0 were announced by the broadcasters, TRAI received representations from Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs), Associations of Local Cable Operators (LCOs) and consumer organisations. Stakeholders highlighted difficulties likely to be faced by them in implementing new rates in their IT systems and migrating the consumers in bulk to the new tariff regime, impacting almost all bouquets due to upward revision in rates of pay channels and bouquets by broadcasters.
Subsequently, to deliberate on issues related to implementation of the amended framework 2020 and suggest a way forward, a committee consisting of members from Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF), All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) and DTH Association was constituted under the aegis of TRAI.
The Committee listed several issues related to the amended framework 2020 for consideration. Stakeholders, however, requested TRAI to immediately address critical issues which could create impediments for smooth implementation.
After due consultation process, TRAI, on November 22, 2022, notified the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff (Third Amendment) Order, 2022 and the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2022.
The Committee also listed several other issues for subsequent consideration by TRAI. In addition, the Authority held multiple meetings with representatives of broadcasters, MSOs, DTH operators and LCOs. Several issues were put forward during these meetings. TRAI has considered some relevant suggestions.
In order to address the remaining issues pertaining to Tariff, Interconnection and Quality of Service of Broadcasting and Cable services, as identified by the stakeholders’ Committee and suggested by other stakeholders, the Authority is issuing this consultation paper for seeking stakeholders’ comments.
Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by September 5, 2023.
Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by September 19, 2023. These may be sent, preferably in electronic form, to [email protected] and [email protected].
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