ITV

Category: Regulators

  • Panel of experts checks possibility of STB inter-operability: TRAI

    Panel of experts checks possibility of STB inter-operability: TRAI

    NEW DELHI: A panel of 12 experts from institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is working on the challenge of overcoming the problem relating to inter-operability of set top boxes (STB). Even though it has already issued a consultation paper on the subject, broadcast regulator Telecom Reguatory Authority of India has still to find solutions for inter-operability of STBs.

    TRAI chairman R S Sharma said inter-operability of STBs was a major programme in the interest of the consumers as this would help consumers get better service from their service providers who would be aware that one can switch to another operator if not satisfied with a service.

    He said he was aware that many felt that it is not possible to have a common STB because of security reasons and the need of broadcasters to keep their content encrypted and safe from piracy.

    “Because it is essentially a technology issue, we have brought on board professors from IITs and other institutions to look at it from a technology perspective,” Sharma said adding that C-DoT is the technology partner in this venture.

    TRAI is attempting to find a solution to this problem as soon as possible, Sharma told a press meet.

    The press meet was held to apprise the media about the spate of consultation papers and other decisions taken by TRAI in recent weeks.  (Earlier, it is learnt by Indiantelevision.com that some broadcasters also called on Sharma to discuss various issues.)

    TRAI officials said while a common STB for cable services may be a bit easier as shown by lab tests, another challenge is bringing STBs which are inter-operable between cable as well DTH operators.

    Another major initiative, for which TRAI has initiated a consultation process in the broadcasting sector is ensuring that the broadcasters share infrastructure. Sharma, said that “learning from the Telecom sector” where competitors also share towers, it is being examined if such a practice can be instilled in the broadcasting sector.

    Referring to sharing of infrastructure by broadcasters as suggested by the regulator in its latest paper, TRAI officials said different broadcasters are using different satellite system to carry the same channels.

    “The idea is whether there is a need to have a different head-end, or different optical fibre network or different satellite system and if we can combine, are we not able to reduce the cost of operations,” a TRAI official said.

    The official said that while broadcasters have been initially “closed” to this idea, they were positive that the idea may yield results as seen from the example in the telecom sector.

    The TRAI official said that are some licensing conditions which do not allow sharing of infrastructure. After consultations, the regulator would work to see that a proper framework can be provided which allows sharing of infrastructure by broadcasters.

    TRAI is also pushing for provision of broadband services through the cable sector, officials added. The regulator is also working to create guidelines for audience measurement for radio and guidelines, officials said.

     

  • TDSAT rejects MSO Honey Sky Vision’s petition against Sai Media

    TDSAT rejects MSO Honey Sky Vision’s petition against Sai Media

    New Delhi: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has rejected a petition by multisystem operator seeking to recover Rs 10.5 lakh from Sai Prasad Media Pvt Ltd which broadcasts ‘News Express’ amongst others.

    Chairman justice Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava said: “We find that the whole exercise of execution of channel placement agreement and subsequent behaviour of petitioner as well as the respondent is completely opaque and ambiguous to say the least and hence non-maintainable.”

    The petitioner had failed to produce any invoice which it might have raised or any authentic statement of accounts.

    Meanwhile, Sai Media had filed an affidavit stating it had paid three-fourths of the amount due but produced a document. The tribunal felt its “authenticity was doubtful”.

    The case of the petitioner had been that it had executed a placement agreement with Sai Media at the behest of the respondent for a period of 12 months beginning from 28 July 2012 and terminating on 27 July 2012.  The consideration money was Rs 14 lakhs plus service tax; and it was payable in four equal installments. In consideration of this amount the petitioner was supposed to place the respondent’s channel ‘News Express’ on ‘S’ band.  The petitioner has stated that it complied with all its obligations.under the channel placement agreement by carrying/placing the channel of the respondent at the desired frequency/band to the complete satisfaction of the respondent. It is also stated that the representatives/officials of the respondent company regularly visited the network/units of the petitioner in various• areas of Delhi.

  • TDSAT rejects MSO Honey Sky Vision’s petition against Sai Media

    TDSAT rejects MSO Honey Sky Vision’s petition against Sai Media

    New Delhi: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has rejected a petition by multisystem operator seeking to recover Rs 10.5 lakh from Sai Prasad Media Pvt Ltd which broadcasts ‘News Express’ amongst others.

    Chairman justice Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava said: “We find that the whole exercise of execution of channel placement agreement and subsequent behaviour of petitioner as well as the respondent is completely opaque and ambiguous to say the least and hence non-maintainable.”

    The petitioner had failed to produce any invoice which it might have raised or any authentic statement of accounts.

    Meanwhile, Sai Media had filed an affidavit stating it had paid three-fourths of the amount due but produced a document. The tribunal felt its “authenticity was doubtful”.

    The case of the petitioner had been that it had executed a placement agreement with Sai Media at the behest of the respondent for a period of 12 months beginning from 28 July 2012 and terminating on 27 July 2012.  The consideration money was Rs 14 lakhs plus service tax; and it was payable in four equal installments. In consideration of this amount the petitioner was supposed to place the respondent’s channel ‘News Express’ on ‘S’ band.  The petitioner has stated that it complied with all its obligations.under the channel placement agreement by carrying/placing the channel of the respondent at the desired frequency/band to the complete satisfaction of the respondent. It is also stated that the representatives/officials of the respondent company regularly visited the network/units of the petitioner in various• areas of Delhi.

  • Datawind wants Govt to promote affordable internet

    Datawind wants Govt to promote affordable internet

    NEW DELHI: Welcoming the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s consultation paper on Free Data, Datawind CEO and founder Suneet Singh Tuli said “the key barrier to getting broad internet adoption in India is breaking the affordability barrier.  This will require innovate out-of-the-box business models, and the consultation-paper is an important step towards exploring such solutions to provide free data.” 

    He described it as very progressive step to address the forgotten billions, “who are our largest constituent of digital age today.”

    He said the need was to have the vast majority of Indians, over a billion, who are still not on the internet. There is a need to deliver affordable internet access for the common man.

    “More importantly, despite the boom in smartphone penetration, studies show over 62 percent of customers with 3G enabled devices, are not activating data plans.”

    He said DataWind intends to bring the world’s most affordable internet access to India, using it’s patented technology. DataWind firmly believes that this digital and internet divide can be addressed through technology intervention, at an affordable price for this segment of customers. It is focused on driving the cost downward to a level where access to technology becomes ‘universally affordable’ and democratization of technology finds its true meaning.

    He added that DataWind’s innovations have always been focussed to break the affordability barrier and provide internet access to empower the billions of people globally who are left out of the digital age. The company’s patented technology allows for a fast, rich and affordable experience on existing networks without any new infrastructure.

    Free-search has made Google, free social networking has built Facebook, free messaging has built Whatsapp and free data will bring the next billion Indians online, he concluded.

    Stretching the discussion on net neutrality, TRAI had issued a paper wanting to know whether there is a need to have TSP agnostic platform to provide free data or suitable reimbursement to users, without violating the principles of Differential Pricing for Data laid down in TRAI Regulation.

    In the consultation paper on Free Data, TRAI has asked stakeholders to suggest the most suitable model to achieve the objective. Replies have to be filed by 16 June with counter replies if any by 30 June.

    The regulator also wants to know whether such platforms need to be regulated by the TRAI or the market should be allowed to develop these platforms.

    It wants to know if free data or suitable reimbursement to users should be limited to mobile data users only or could it be extended through technical means to subscribers of fixed line broadband or leased line.

     

  • Datawind wants Govt to promote affordable internet

    Datawind wants Govt to promote affordable internet

    NEW DELHI: Welcoming the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s consultation paper on Free Data, Datawind CEO and founder Suneet Singh Tuli said “the key barrier to getting broad internet adoption in India is breaking the affordability barrier.  This will require innovate out-of-the-box business models, and the consultation-paper is an important step towards exploring such solutions to provide free data.” 

    He described it as very progressive step to address the forgotten billions, “who are our largest constituent of digital age today.”

    He said the need was to have the vast majority of Indians, over a billion, who are still not on the internet. There is a need to deliver affordable internet access for the common man.

    “More importantly, despite the boom in smartphone penetration, studies show over 62 percent of customers with 3G enabled devices, are not activating data plans.”

    He said DataWind intends to bring the world’s most affordable internet access to India, using it’s patented technology. DataWind firmly believes that this digital and internet divide can be addressed through technology intervention, at an affordable price for this segment of customers. It is focused on driving the cost downward to a level where access to technology becomes ‘universally affordable’ and democratization of technology finds its true meaning.

    He added that DataWind’s innovations have always been focussed to break the affordability barrier and provide internet access to empower the billions of people globally who are left out of the digital age. The company’s patented technology allows for a fast, rich and affordable experience on existing networks without any new infrastructure.

    Free-search has made Google, free social networking has built Facebook, free messaging has built Whatsapp and free data will bring the next billion Indians online, he concluded.

    Stretching the discussion on net neutrality, TRAI had issued a paper wanting to know whether there is a need to have TSP agnostic platform to provide free data or suitable reimbursement to users, without violating the principles of Differential Pricing for Data laid down in TRAI Regulation.

    In the consultation paper on Free Data, TRAI has asked stakeholders to suggest the most suitable model to achieve the objective. Replies have to be filed by 16 June with counter replies if any by 30 June.

    The regulator also wants to know whether such platforms need to be regulated by the TRAI or the market should be allowed to develop these platforms.

    It wants to know if free data or suitable reimbursement to users should be limited to mobile data users only or could it be extended through technical means to subscribers of fixed line broadband or leased line.

     

  • TRAI’s consultation on sharing infrastructure by TV distribution platforms

    TRAI’s consultation on sharing infrastructure by TV distribution platforms

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India wants to know from stakeholders what could be the operational, commercial, technical and regulatory issues which require to be addressed at the time of developing policy and regulatory framework for enabling infrastructure sharing in the broadcasting TV distribution space.

    In a pre-consultation paper on infrastructure sharing in broadcasting TV distribution sector for which it wants comments by 23 June, TRAI has also asked whether stakeholders envisage any requirement for change in the existing licensing/registration framework laid for DTH, DAS and HITS broadcasting services.

    It has also sought to know what could be the implications of allowing separation of network and service provider functions at distribution level and how can the responsibilities be divided between the network and service providers.

    The regulator wants to know what more can be shared by the distributor platform operators (MSOs, HITS, DTH) for better utilization of infrastructure.

    TRAI said the pre-consultation paper had been issued with an aim to solicit stakeholder’s views on issues related to sharing of infrastructure on voluntary basis and separation of network and service provider functions so as to reduce cost of distribution of services and enhance competition in respect of all type of TV distribution platforms.

    It has separate chapters on provides information on existing licensing framework for various kinds of TV distribution platforms; the probable scope, benefit & challenges for infrastructure sharing; and separation of network and service provider functions. 

  • TRAI’s consultation on sharing infrastructure by TV distribution platforms

    TRAI’s consultation on sharing infrastructure by TV distribution platforms

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India wants to know from stakeholders what could be the operational, commercial, technical and regulatory issues which require to be addressed at the time of developing policy and regulatory framework for enabling infrastructure sharing in the broadcasting TV distribution space.

    In a pre-consultation paper on infrastructure sharing in broadcasting TV distribution sector for which it wants comments by 23 June, TRAI has also asked whether stakeholders envisage any requirement for change in the existing licensing/registration framework laid for DTH, DAS and HITS broadcasting services.

    It has also sought to know what could be the implications of allowing separation of network and service provider functions at distribution level and how can the responsibilities be divided between the network and service providers.

    The regulator wants to know what more can be shared by the distributor platform operators (MSOs, HITS, DTH) for better utilization of infrastructure.

    TRAI said the pre-consultation paper had been issued with an aim to solicit stakeholder’s views on issues related to sharing of infrastructure on voluntary basis and separation of network and service provider functions so as to reduce cost of distribution of services and enhance competition in respect of all type of TV distribution platforms.

    It has separate chapters on provides information on existing licensing framework for various kinds of TV distribution platforms; the probable scope, benefit & challenges for infrastructure sharing; and separation of network and service provider functions. 

  • TRAI seeks to seek clarity on net neutrality

    TRAI seeks to seek clarity on net neutrality

    NEW DELHI: Stretching the discussion on net neutrality, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India wants to know whether there is a need to have TSP agnostic platform to provide free data or suitable reimbursement to users, without violating the principles of Differential Pricing for Data laid down in TRAI Regulation.

    In a consultation paper on Free Data, TRAI has asked stakeholders to suggest the most suitable model to achieve the objective. Replies have to be filed by 16 June with counter replies if any by 30 June.

    The Regulator also wants to know whether such platforms need to be regulated by the TRAI or the market should be allowed to develop these platforms.

    It also wants to know if free data or suitable reimbursement to users should be limited to mobile data users only or could it be extended through technical means to subscribers of fixed line broadband or leased line.

    The paper says that in the recent past, some data services plans of the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) came to the notice of TRAI which amounted to discriminatory tariff through offering zero or discounted tariffs to certain contents of certain websites/applications/platforms. The objective of offering such plans was claimed to be the desire of various service providers/content providers or platform providers to enable people of this country, especially the poor, to access certain content on the internet free of charge.

    It said there were a number of variations of these plans; however, the intention was the same. Under one design, an entity had created a platform wherein content providers and TSPs could register and subject to the approval of the platform provider, the customers of the TSPs, registered on the platform, were able to access those websites (either in full or only certain content of those websites) which were listed on this platform. Another method was to provide discounted data offers by the TSPs for some identified websites/apps. The idea, as stated before, was to provide free internet service to the users of the TSPs. The net result of these offers was that it empowers/enables the TSPs to select certain content providers (either through the platforms or directly) and offer discounted access plans to these websites/applications/platforms.

     

  • TRAI seeks to seek clarity on net neutrality

    TRAI seeks to seek clarity on net neutrality

    NEW DELHI: Stretching the discussion on net neutrality, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India wants to know whether there is a need to have TSP agnostic platform to provide free data or suitable reimbursement to users, without violating the principles of Differential Pricing for Data laid down in TRAI Regulation.

    In a consultation paper on Free Data, TRAI has asked stakeholders to suggest the most suitable model to achieve the objective. Replies have to be filed by 16 June with counter replies if any by 30 June.

    The Regulator also wants to know whether such platforms need to be regulated by the TRAI or the market should be allowed to develop these platforms.

    It also wants to know if free data or suitable reimbursement to users should be limited to mobile data users only or could it be extended through technical means to subscribers of fixed line broadband or leased line.

    The paper says that in the recent past, some data services plans of the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) came to the notice of TRAI which amounted to discriminatory tariff through offering zero or discounted tariffs to certain contents of certain websites/applications/platforms. The objective of offering such plans was claimed to be the desire of various service providers/content providers or platform providers to enable people of this country, especially the poor, to access certain content on the internet free of charge.

    It said there were a number of variations of these plans; however, the intention was the same. Under one design, an entity had created a platform wherein content providers and TSPs could register and subject to the approval of the platform provider, the customers of the TSPs, registered on the platform, were able to access those websites (either in full or only certain content of those websites) which were listed on this platform. Another method was to provide discounted data offers by the TSPs for some identified websites/apps. The idea, as stated before, was to provide free internet service to the users of the TSPs. The net result of these offers was that it empowers/enables the TSPs to select certain content providers (either through the platforms or directly) and offer discounted access plans to these websites/applications/platforms.

     

  • TRAI explores methodology for QoS under DAS regime

    NEW DELHI: As the country moves towards the final phase of digital addressable systems, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India wants to know if there should be a uniform regulatory framework for quality of service and consumer protection across all digital addressable platforms.

    TRAI has also sought opinion of stakeholders on the standards and essential technical parameters for ensuring good quality of service for digital cable TV, direct-to-home (DTH), head-end in the sky (HITS) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV).

    The opinion has been sought in a detailed consultation paper on ‘Issues related to quality of services in Digital Addressable Systems and consumer protection’, and stakeholders have been asked to send in their comments by17 June and counter-comments if any by 1 July.

    In over fifty questions posed to stakeholders, it wants to know the broad contours for quality of rervice regulatory framework for digital addressable systems.

    The regulator has asked if timelines relating to various activities to get new connection should be left to the Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) to be transparently declared to the subscribers.  What should be the time limits for various activities including consumer application form and installation and activation of service for new connections, it wants to know.  

    Referring to a query often asked by stakeholders, the Regulator wants to know if the minimum essential information to be included in the CAF should be mandated through regulations to maintain basic uniformity.  Should the use of e-CAF be facilitated, encouraged or mandated, it has asked.

    It wants to know whether the minimum essential information to be included in the Manual of Practice be mandated through regulations to maintain basic uniformity and to ensure that consumers get all relevant information about the services being subscribed.

    TRAI wants to know if an initial subscription period can be charged while providing a new connection to protect the interest of subscribers as well as DPOs, and the protections for subscribers and DPOs during initial subscription period.

    TRAI wants to know the methodology of reduction in subscription charges be calculated in case of discontinuation of channel from DPOs platform.

    Stakeholders have been asked to give their opinion on the maximum permissible time of disruption beyond  which subscriber must be compensated if there is disruption due to technical fault on the DPO network or at the subscriber’s end; disruption due to technical fault of Consumer Premises Equipment at the subscriber’s end.

    The stakeholders have been asked why the uptake of mandated schemes for set top box (Outright purchase, hire purchase, and on rent) is so low at present and whether this is due to lack of consumer awareness and what other methods should be used for this.

    Opinion has also been sought on the billing cycle both for pre-paid and post-paid and whether deduction of maintenance related charges for CPE from the pre-paid subscription account should be prohibited.

    Comments have been sought on call centre availability hours, multiple languages in Interactive Voice Response, response time for answering IVR and voice to voice calls and  d. Sub menu and accessibility of customer care executive.

    What should be the innovative ways to develop a speedy user friendly complaint registering and redressal framework using Mobile Apps, SMS, online system etc., the regulator has asked.