Important TRAI issues Draft Tariff Package for STBs/CPEs for DTH and Cable TV Ops

IndianMascot

Core Member
In order to ensure a smooth migration of customers from one service provider to another without having to re-invest in a new STB, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today issued draft tariff orders prescribing standard tariff package for set top boxes in digital addressable cable TV systems (DAS) and consumer premises equipments (CPE) for direct-to-home services.

:thumbsup:

The standard tariff packages for STB/CPE on rental basis are to be offered mandatorily by DTH and cable TV operators. The draft tariff orders have been put on the TRAI site to seek comments of stakeholders by 26 April.

The Tariff Order also assumes significance as it attempts for the first time to give inter-operability to consumers of DTH players.

The authority is of the view that the interests of the consumers can be largely protected through the provision for commercial interoperability of STB. The commercial interoperability provides an exit option for a subscriber in case the subscriber wishes to change the operator for any reason.

Accordingly, in the relevant Regulations/ Tariff orders of Trai, it has been mandated that the operators of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems and DTH operators shall give an option to every subscriber to procure the STB either on outright purchase basis or hire purchase basis or rental basis, or in accordance with the scheme, if any, prescribed by the Authority. The relevant provisions of various Trai Regulations/ Tariff Order in this regard are attached as Appendix-I.


Wish to read further, ------> :click:
 

IndianMascot

Core Member
The standard tariff package has been worked out on the basis of the cost of the set top box at Rs 1,750 and life span of the box, which has been taken as five years. While the residual value has been taken as nil, rental per month based on the cost of the STB on equated monthly installment (EMI) basis is at 15 per cent per annum and 1.25 per cent per month for a period of 60 months.

It may be recalled that TRAI is also managing the carriage fees between the broadcasters and the cable operators. Though Phase II of digitisation is over, broadcasters are concerned over the carriage fees as they still have to pay a huge chunk in order to available of the premium bands.

At the last meeting held three months back, TRAI had suggested that broadcasters sign an agreement with the operators to share the offer of channel packages and carriage fees. The regulatory body suggested that carriage fees of Rs 3-Rs 5 be set per set top box per annum.


Cable TV digitisation: TRAI releases tariff orders
 
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