Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) had recently ordered a new tariff system to implement new tariff system, in which consumers have to pay more to watch cable TV. This system was to be implemented from December 29, but now TRAI has said that customers can choose their favorite channels till January 31.
TRAI secretary SK Gupta said in the interaction with PTI, “We have a meeting with today (Thursday) Broadcasters, DTH operators and MSOs (multi-system operators). Everyone showed their readiness to apply the new rules. However, he requested that customers be given some time so that they can select channels according to their own, which will not lead to further trouble. “
Under this new system, consumers will have the freedom to choose channels and they will pay for the same channels they want to see. According to TRAI, an electronic program guide (EPG) will write an MRP of every channel on the TV screen. No distributor can take more than the fixed price on behalf of the broadcaster.
Customers need to pay a maximum of 130 rupees for 100 channels every month in the form of Network Competitiveness fees. If you look at more than 100 channels (though the number of such subscribers is only 10-15%), the next 25 channels will have to pay 20 rupees extra. Apart from this, the fixed prices will be added to the pay channels you choose. The price range of channels from TRAI is fixed between 1 to 19 rupees.
At the same time, TRAI had said that TV will not be a blackout on December 29 and consumers will be given time to be fully shifting to the new scheme.
