Alert for TV viewers! Comply with TRAI's new tariff rule by Feb 1 or face complete BLACKOUT!

Despite several notifications by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), implementation of new cable rule is still moving at a slothful speed across the country.

D2H platforms have already started deployment of the new tariff regime. (Image: AFP)

TRAI D2H rule: Despite several notifications by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), implementation of new cable rule is still moving at a slothful speed across the country. According to media reports, less than 50 per cent of customers’ preferences have been recorded by direct-to-home (DTH) platforms and digital cable companies. Reacting to the same, TRAI has warned the DTH platforms and digital cable firms to implement the order within the given deadline of February 2019. The telecom regulatory body also reiterated that failing to the deadline, distribution platform operators (DPOs) would face crackdown ranging from blackout by broadcasters to licence cancellation/suspension. DPOs across the country except Tata Sky have started receiving choices of their customers for the new tariff regime. Tata Sky has moved Delhi High Court against the TRAI tariff order and hence has not initiated the new subscription programme. The case is scheduled for hearing on January 23. According to a recent report, TRAI has asked direct-to-home operator TataSky to file a status report over the implementation of the new rule that allows viewers select and pay only for the channels they wished to view, citing a large number of complaints from its consumers. The sectoral regulator also alleged that the DTH operator is misleading its consumers by informing subscribers that “TRAI has extended the date of implementation of new regulatory framework”. However, these cable service providers are still lagging way behind as the deadline to convert consumers subscription plan is February 1. It is speculated that apart from the delay in implementation of the new tariff regime by cable operators, there is a significant amount of confusion and apathy among the consumers as well. Several cable operators and D2H platforms have already started deployment of the new tariff regime since mid-December. Companies like Dish TV and others have also started advertising about the new initiative through newspaper ads, television, social media, websites and other consumer touch points. TRAI's new framework allows consumers to select and pay only for the channels they wish to view and requires TV broadcasters to disclose maximum retail price (MRP) of channels individually and those of bouquets. (ABP NEWS is a free to air channel. To watch ABP NEWS as part of your basic pack, contact your cable/DTH operator.)