MANU/TRAI/0004/2016

Department/Board : Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Press Release No. : 02/2016

Date : 07.01.2016

TRAI releases Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2016

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today released the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2016.

2. It was observed from the interconnection details submitted by the service providers that signals of TV channels are being provided by several broadcasters to Multi System Operators (MSOs) and MSOs to Local Cable Operators (LCOs) even in the absence of valid interconnection agreement in writing. It was also observed that continuation of retransmission of signal without valid interconnection agreement, on the pretext of continued mutual negotiations, often results into disputes and sometimes abrupt disconnection which affects the quality of service to the consumers.

3. In this regard, draft sixth amendment was released for consultation on 3rd November, 2015. Further, an Open House Discussion (OHD) was held on 11th December, 2015. After considering the stakeholder's comments and in-house analysis, the Authority today released the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2016.

4. Through this amendment, the Authority has explained that it shall be mandatory for the broadcaster of pay channel to enter into written interconnection agreement with the multi system operator for retransmission of its pay channels irrespective of whether subscription fee is paid by the multi system operator to the broadcaster or not.

5. The amendment provides for sufficient time (minimum sixty days) for entering into new interconnection agreement before the expiry of existing interconnection agreement between the service providers for retransmission of TV signals. After this amendment, no scope will be available in the name of mutual negotiations, for continuing the provisioning of TV signal after expiry of the existing interconnection agreement.

6. The multi system operators are mandated to inform the consumers in the event of failure to execute new interconnection agreement, about date of expiry of its existing interconnection agreement and disconnection of TV channels, fifteen days prior to the expiry of existing interconnection agreement to enable the consumers to take informed decision in respect of their choice.

7. The Telecommu........