Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

10.10.2016

Media and Communication

TRAI releases draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff Order, 2016

MANU/TRAI/0106/2016

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff Order, 2016. In order to create an enabling environment for orderly growth of the television broadcasting sector in the light of various developments related to technology, emergence of multiple distribution platforms, evolving business models, and enhanced addressability across platforms, a comprehensive review of the existing tariff framework for the addressable systems has been undertaken by TRAI. A need was felt to evolve a tariff structure that enables the consumers with the freedom to choose from an array of attractive and affordable a-la-carte and bundled television broadcasting services as per their preferences and paying capacity.

Accordingly, TRAI issued the Consultation Paper on "Tariff issues related to TV services" on 29th January 2016 for seeking stakeholders comments. In response, a total of 60 comments and 10 counter-comments were received from stakeholders including consumers. Subsequently, two Open House Discussions (OHDs) were held, first on 8th April 2016 in New Delhi and second on 21st April 2016 at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, where the issues were discussed at length with the stakeholders present. Based on the comments/views of the stakeholders and the analysis, various provisions related to tariff have been worked out.

While framing this draft Tariff Order, the emphasis of the Authority is to ensure transparency, non-discrimination, consumer protection and create an enabling environment for orderly growth of the sector. In the draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Addressable Systems) Tariff Order, 2016, a new tariff framework has been proposed wherein customers have been provided with adequate choice to select channels of their choice while ensuring transparency in the entire value chain.

Tags : Tariff order draft Release

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