ITV

Tag: DPO

  • TRAI says no postponement of tariff order implementation in fresh clarification

    TRAI says no postponement of tariff order implementation in fresh clarification

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has clarified that it won't be giving any more extensions to the implementation of the new tariff regime beyond the deadline of 31 January. It has given an additional month for customer migration to new tariff regime after which there have been speculations that the authority may be further postponing or stopping or revising the rule. Quashing rumours, TRAI has issued a press release and clarified that the new framework has come into effect on 29 December itself.

    TRAI also states that  it has been monitoring the progress in regards to availability of consumer corner, choices to the consumers, provision of consumers care channel, percentage of consumers whose choice has been obtained etc. on day to day basis. It even noted that almost all the service providers have started providing consumer care channel on channel number 999.

    The authority further added that the schedule of activities has been properly communicated to all the service providers for reaching out to the consumers and obtaining choices. In addition to that, TRAI is conducting review meetings regularly to monitor the progress.

    TRAI has again advised all the service providers to strictly observe the timelines as provided in the migration plan.

    It has also asked subscribers to exercise their options without waiting for the last minute to avoid any inconvenience and to ensure that they continue to view their favourite channels.

    As the date for implementation of tariff order was nearing, stakeholders were highly concerned how the transition would pan out for consumers. Bringing relief to them, TRAI gave time till 31 January for consumers to opt for channels of their choice under the new regime. Customers will be migrated to new plans as per their choice from 1 February.

    Earlier there were speculations about a complete blackout of TV channels in December as the system allegedly is not ready for such a big move. Then too TRAI asserted in a release that it has advised all the broadcasters, DPOs, and LCOs to ensure there is no disruption of TV services.

    Left with less than one month in hand, DPOs have also started updating new channel prices and packages on their websites to inform consumers. Many large MSOs like Hathway, DEN Networks, Siti Cable have come up with "suggestive packs" bundling the popular channel of all major broadcasters.

    As per TRAI, the new tariff order will give consumers the power to choose and will also lower the prices for TV channels. This new framework allows them to select and pick channels that they like to watch and pay accordingly. It also requires the TV broadcasters to disclose maximum retail price (MRP) of their respective channels and also of the channel bouquets.

  • Comment: Is there light at the end of the tunnel for broadcasters?

    Comment: Is there light at the end of the tunnel for broadcasters?

    The period between August 2017 and September 2018 will be remembered by the Indian broadcasting sector for more reasons than one. Interestingly, the main protagonists seem to be common – Star India and the Supreme Court of India – and this combination has worked well to lay down a roadmap for the sector. Only time will tell whether it is for the good or bad!

    Before we go further, let’s fact check the status of the Indian broadcasting sector.  According to Ministry of Information & Broadcasting that as on 31 October 2018 there are 866 permitted TV channels in India.

    As per FICCI-EY Report, “Re-Imagining India’s M&E Sector” the broadcasting industry “grew from Rs 594 billion to Rs 660 billion in 2017, a growth of 11.2 per cent”. This includes the advertising revenue of Rs 267 billion comprising 40 per cent of revenues and the distribution revenue of Rs 393 billion comprising 60 per cent of total revenues. The broadcasting sector generates millions of jobs directly and indirectly, contributes to economic growth with a rate almost twice the GDP and provides an immeasurable ancillary contribution by serving a platform for the growth of several other industries.

    This proves that television in India – even in the age of digital media explosion – remains a mass medium and plethora of stakeholders from content creators, broadcasters, teleport operators, satellite operators, advertisers, distributors and a larger television audience viewing audience are involved in one way or other.

    Is it time to nationalise sports?

    Let’s now examine some of the stunning reverses suffered by the broadcasters before the judiciary in this period.

    First amongst them is the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court in 2017 in the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007 which involved Star India and Prasar Bharati.

    In a long-drawn battle of more than ten years, the Supreme Court finally confirmed the Delhi High Court’s finding when it adjudicated that the original intent of the act was to achieve twin purposes of making available a live feed of a sporting event of national importance to economically weaker section of the society and consequently, the same should be made available on a free or no cost basis. 

    The Supreme Court whilst allowing the sporting events of national events to be shared mandatorily with Prasar Bharati ruled that the public broadcaster cannot utilise it on a notified channel which has to be compulsorily carried by private distribution platforms. Although the ruling of the Supreme Court was not followed by letter and spirit by Prasar Bharati, it put the onus on sports broadcasters to take legal action against erring private commercial platforms carried “live” sports feeds. Rather than encrypt Doordarshan’s feed, the Ministry ordered the distribution platform operators to run a ticker stating that “the match/game can be viewed in free-to-air mode on DD Sports Channel, on DD Free Dish and DD’s terrestrial network”. 

    Whilst the Supreme Court put away any confusion on the Sports Act and a private commercial sporting event like IPL anyway ought not to be considered as sporting events of national importance, Smriti Irani who was piloting the I&B Ministry in April 2018 had other ideas.

    During her time in Shastri Bhawan it seemed Star India was wrong when it fiercely bid to acquire long-term exclusive media rights for the Indian Premier League along with BCCI international and domestic matches for an approximate value of Rs 16,350 crore and Rs 6,150 crore respectively.

    2017 was the first year for Star India after it acquired rights for the IPL and the Ministry inexplicably made them sweat out before granting temporary live uplinking permission for live broadcast of the IPL matches on their channels till the very last moment. This was nothing else but to arm-twist Star India to share all the live matches of Indian Premier League with Doordarshan for free, even though IPL, which is a privately-owned club cricket league and can no way be considered as a sporting event of national importance.  In the end, Star India had no other option but to give something to the power that be and they gave in to share with Prasar Bharati the inaugural, the playoffs held on weekends and the last four matches of IPL, with a deferred live feed of at least 60 minutes. No surprise, Smriti Irani claimed victory for bringing IPL for the first time ever on Doordarshan.

    Not getting the “live” feed of IPL matches and unable to make legislative moves to amend the judgement of the Supreme Court as she did not find support amongst her ministerial colleagues the Irani-led Ministry issued a notice mandating all sports channels broadcasting live sports of “national importance” to display a ticker stating the same match was also available on DD’s free-to-air platform squirming sports broadcasters. Not only are the rights holders required to give live sports content free to DD as per the Sports Act, but they are also required to run a marketing campaign for Doordarshan to drive audiences away from themselves to go somewhere else to watch it!

    Now, if the broadcasters believed that the Supreme Court’s decision on the Sports Act in August 2017 had finally settled the issue, unfortunately, it was not to be. On 24 October the Ministry released a notice seeking feedback/comments on draft Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory) sharing with Prasar Bharati (Amendment) Bill, 2018.  The ministry wants to amend Section 3(1) of the Sports Act to ensure mandatory sharing of the signals of such sporting events with “other networks, where it is mandatory to show the Doordarshan channels as per the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995”. 

    Here's a suggestion : rather than doing it in a piecemeal manner in forcing sports broadcasters to share more sporting events why doesn’t the government nationalise at one go so there is clarity on sports broadcasting?  This will also make Doordarshan the only sports broadcaster in the country and thus can ring-fence them from competition from private sports broadcasters!

    Changing landscape?

    However, the biggest one of all is the Supreme Court judgement on 30 October dismissing the plea of Star India challenging the jurisdiction of TRAI in regulating the broadcasting sector through Tariff Orders.

    The Supreme Court judgement has far-reaching consequences for the broadcast industry since it settled the long pending debate of who is the regulator of the Indian broadcasting sector.  Star India had challenged TRAI’s jurisdiction to frame the tariff order arguing that the exploitation of intellectual property (IP) rights are covered under Copyright Act.  The Supreme Court whilst refusing to entertain Star India’s challenge by 2:1 majority held that (1) the Copyright Act had nothing to do with the inter se relationship between the broadcaster and the distributor in the activity of broadcast and (2) it also does not deal with the price of a channel that an end consumer pays to the broadcaster.

    Whilst the Supreme Court empowered the end-consumer through its order but the implementation is not going to be smooth.  Although TRAI proposed to bring DTH, cable TV, HITS, IPTV operators under unified quality of service framework way back in 2015, poor implementation at the ground level means, the cable operators have still not put in place any consumer redressal mechanisms nor will they issue any bill or invoice.  Worse still, many distribution platform operators (DPOs) have not even fulfilled technical requirements under the DAS mandate or installed subscriber management systems to inform the authorities how many subscribers they service in their areas of operation even though the new tariff order is going to become effective from 1 January 2019.

    According to industry experts, although the new Tariff Order is expected to benefit the consumer as he can now pick and choose his channels rather than being saddled with hundreds of them but the cost of monthly cable bill may go up.  In other words, a new concept of ‘pay less for less, pay more for more’ is going to be a reality for Indian broadcast consumers.

    The moot question is after the Supreme Court empowering the consumer vis-à-vis broadcasters, has TRAI empowered the consumer vis-à-vis DPOs?  The quality of service (QoS) by the DPOs has always been a bone of contention because of its implementation on the ground by the licensor, MIB or its authorised officers at the district level or by the regulator, TRAI.

    Even after the implementation of the Digital Addressable System (DAS), the analogue transmission is still transmitted in many parts of the country and the cable operators have not yet fulfilled the technical requirements to meet the DAS mandates.  Even today in many parts of the country kutcha bill is the norm and no sign of any kind of customer care.  When it is brought to the notice of the policymakers they don’t want to see the reality.

    Although TRAI notified the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 the experience so far shows it will be a tall order to implement on the ground on issues such as establishment of customer care centre, website, consumer care channel and publication of manual of practice, etc.

    As a result, there will never be an end to the disputes amongst stakeholders which is the bane of the Indian broadcasting sector and where is the possibility of changing landscape?

  • TRAI workshop on interoperable STBs later this month

    TRAI workshop on interoperable STBs later this month

    NEW DELHI: Following the issuance of a consultation paper by it on 11 August, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has now organised a workshop on solution architecture for technical interoperable set top box on 26 September in the capital. The paper had been issued after responses to a pre-consultation paper issued on 4 April this year. 

    TRAI says it had suo moto taken up the issue of STB interoperability in the broadcasting TV sector. Presently, the Distribution Platform Operator (DPO) provides STB, which is compatible with his network to provide services to a subscriber. 

    Over a period of time, variety of technologies has been deployed by DPOs into the networks. It has led to a situation where STBs provided by one operator are not compatible with the system of the other operator. This impedes portability of a subscriber from one operator to another in case he wishes to do so. 

    In the perspective of subscribers, provision of switch-over from one operator to another without replacing the STB is known as technical interoperability, whereby the same STB can be used by the subscriber for availing the services of any other operator after authorisation form that operator. 

    Recognising the significance of choice to the subscribers to change their service provider, TRAI also approached various academia & research organisations to collaborate with them to find solutions for interoperability of STB.

    In response, IIT-Bombay came onboard and has been working on the issue. IIT Bombay was independently charged with studying the feasibility of open STBs and suggest possible paths towards its implementation. This study concluded that open STBs are indeed feasible and recommended that a programme towards its implementation should be undertaken. They suggested an open STB architecture consisting of a secure communication channel between the open STB and the operator dependent  CAS module based on asymmetric cryptography. The keys for such a system are to be managed by a central trusted authority.

    The telecom technology development Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) came up with a framework for interoperable STBs based on Smart Card. Approaches suggested independently by IIT Bombay, and the architecture independently developed by C-DOT have strong similarities. 

    A total of 19 comments have been received.

    TRAI’s objective is to chalk out a framework to facilitate consumer choice, innovation, orderly growth and healthy competition in the industry. The framework should enable an ecosystem to give the market a chance to evolve at its own pace and independently respond to consumer demands.

    This workshop has been organised to deliberate on the proposed architecture solution. TRAI has also contemplated launching a pilot project with a short-term objective of development of a prototype of the interoperable STB & compatible Smart cards. The TRAI notice also contains the technical details of the interoperability framework.

    The workshop has been organised to discuss the feasibility of this pilot with the stakeholders. Objectives of the pilot are:

    1.    Demonstrate that separation of STB & operator specific CAS functionality is possible in a secure manner.

    2.    Frame out & test the specifications for interoperable STBs & SCs in real life conditions, and suggest improvements.

    3.    Jointly develop a business model that fairly allocates value to each provider.

    4.    Fine tune the architecture proposed by C-DOT and finalize the specifications based on pilot.

    5.    Test out integrated and swapping of SCs with STBs in a fully secure manner.

    Also read :

    TRAI starts process of STBs’ interoperability, issues consultation note

     

  • TRAI on carriage fee, other issues in draft interconnect guidelines

    NEW DELHI: After taking in to consideration the comments of the stakeholders and internal analysis in TRAI, the draft regulations [the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2016] along with its explanatory memorandum have been prepared.

    The basic principles of non-exclusivity, non-discrimination, transparency, level playing field and fair completion have been retained in these draft regulations.

    Some of the new features of the draft regulations are as follows:

    (i) A common interconnection framework for all addressable systems namely DTH, HITS, DAS and IPTV.

    (ii) “Must carry” provision for all addressable systems, on first come first serve basis. DPOs to publish information about its platform including available capacity and declare the rate of carriage fee.

    (iii) No carriage fee is to be paid by a broadcaster if the subscription of the channel is more than or equal to 20 per cent of the subscriber base.

    (iv) The rate of carriage fee has been capped at 20 paisa per channel per subscriber per month. Further, the carriage fee amount will decrease with increase in subscription.

    (v) The distributors of TV channels may offer discounts on the carriage fee rate declared by them not exceeding 35% of the rate of the carriage fee declared.

    (vi) The interconnection agreements to be signed in accordance with the Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO).

    (vii) Broadcaster to offer to a distributor, a minimum of 20% of the maximum retail price of its pay channel(s) or bouquet(s) of pay channels as distribution fee. They may also offer discounts on the maximum retail price provided that the sum of discounts and distribution fee in no case shall exceed 35% of the maximum retail price, so declared.

    (viii) Standard format of application for DPOs for obtaining signals of television channel(s) from broadcaster and standard format of application for a broadcaster for access of network from distributor for re-transmission of a television channel(s).

    (ix) Format of subscription report to be provided by a DPOs to a broadcaster including free to air channels.

    (x) Updation in the technical specification for addressable systems.

    (xi) The framework for subscription audit & technical audits.

    (xii) Extension of Model Interconnection Agreement (MIA) and Standard Interconnection Agreement (SIA) framework applicable for MSOs to HITS and IPTV operators.

    Keep tuned in for more details.

  • TRAI on carriage fee, other issues in draft interconnect guidelines

    NEW DELHI: After taking in to consideration the comments of the stakeholders and internal analysis in TRAI, the draft regulations [the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2016] along with its explanatory memorandum have been prepared.

    The basic principles of non-exclusivity, non-discrimination, transparency, level playing field and fair completion have been retained in these draft regulations.

    Some of the new features of the draft regulations are as follows:

    (i) A common interconnection framework for all addressable systems namely DTH, HITS, DAS and IPTV.

    (ii) “Must carry” provision for all addressable systems, on first come first serve basis. DPOs to publish information about its platform including available capacity and declare the rate of carriage fee.

    (iii) No carriage fee is to be paid by a broadcaster if the subscription of the channel is more than or equal to 20 per cent of the subscriber base.

    (iv) The rate of carriage fee has been capped at 20 paisa per channel per subscriber per month. Further, the carriage fee amount will decrease with increase in subscription.

    (v) The distributors of TV channels may offer discounts on the carriage fee rate declared by them not exceeding 35% of the rate of the carriage fee declared.

    (vi) The interconnection agreements to be signed in accordance with the Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO).

    (vii) Broadcaster to offer to a distributor, a minimum of 20% of the maximum retail price of its pay channel(s) or bouquet(s) of pay channels as distribution fee. They may also offer discounts on the maximum retail price provided that the sum of discounts and distribution fee in no case shall exceed 35% of the maximum retail price, so declared.

    (viii) Standard format of application for DPOs for obtaining signals of television channel(s) from broadcaster and standard format of application for a broadcaster for access of network from distributor for re-transmission of a television channel(s).

    (ix) Format of subscription report to be provided by a DPOs to a broadcaster including free to air channels.

    (x) Updation in the technical specification for addressable systems.

    (xi) The framework for subscription audit & technical audits.

    (xii) Extension of Model Interconnection Agreement (MIA) and Standard Interconnection Agreement (SIA) framework applicable for MSOs to HITS and IPTV operators.

    Keep tuned in for more details.

  • Open House Discussion by TRAI on Quality of Service in DAS

    Open House Discussion by TRAI on Quality of Service in DAS

    NEW DELHI: With consumers and service providers still to get a full experience of digital addressable systems and the various rules relating to it, an Open House Discussion has been organized by the the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India late this week on Quality of Services in Digital Addressable Systems and Consumer Protection.

    Earlier in mid-June, Trai had extended its last date for receiving comments on its Consultation Paper of 18 May 2016 on the issue on the subject to 1 July with counter-comments by 8 July 2016.

    The Discussion is in Delhi on the afternoon of 28 July at the India International Centre.

    As the country moves towards the final phase of digital addressable systems, TRAI wanted to know if there should be a uniform regulatory framework for quality of service and consumer protection across all digital addressable platforms.

    TRAI had 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).

    In over fifty questions posed to stakeholders, it wanted to know the broad contours for Quality of Service Regulatory Framework for digital addressable systems.

    The regulator had 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 wanted to know.

    Referring to a query often asked by stakeholders, the regulator wanted 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 had asked.

  • Open House Discussion by TRAI on Quality of Service in DAS

    Open House Discussion by TRAI on Quality of Service in DAS

    NEW DELHI: With consumers and service providers still to get a full experience of digital addressable systems and the various rules relating to it, an Open House Discussion has been organized by the the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India late this week on Quality of Services in Digital Addressable Systems and Consumer Protection.

    Earlier in mid-June, Trai had extended its last date for receiving comments on its Consultation Paper of 18 May 2016 on the issue on the subject to 1 July with counter-comments by 8 July 2016.

    The Discussion is in Delhi on the afternoon of 28 July at the India International Centre.

    As the country moves towards the final phase of digital addressable systems, TRAI wanted to know if there should be a uniform regulatory framework for quality of service and consumer protection across all digital addressable platforms.

    TRAI had 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).

    In over fifty questions posed to stakeholders, it wanted to know the broad contours for Quality of Service Regulatory Framework for digital addressable systems.

    The regulator had 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 wanted to know.

    Referring to a query often asked by stakeholders, the regulator wanted 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 had asked.

  • TRAI allows more time for reactions on QoS methodology under DAS

    TRAI allows more time for reactions on QoS methodology under DAS

    NEW DELHI: With consumers still to get a full experience of digital addressable systems and the various rules relating to it, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has agreed to extend the last date for receipt on comments on its consultation paper on ‘Issues related to Quality of Services in Digital Addressable Systems and Consumer Protection’.

    Stakeolders can now send in their comments by 1 July and any counter-comments by 8 July 2016 to the paper issued on 18 May 2016. The earlier date was 17 June for receipt of comments and 1 July 2016 for counter comments.

    As the country moves towards the final phase of digital addressable systems, TRAI 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).

    In over fifty questions posed to stakeholders, it wants to know the broad contours for Quality of Service 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.

    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 allows more time for reactions on QoS methodology under DAS

    TRAI allows more time for reactions on QoS methodology under DAS

    NEW DELHI: With consumers still to get a full experience of digital addressable systems and the various rules relating to it, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has agreed to extend the last date for receipt on comments on its consultation paper on ‘Issues related to Quality of Services in Digital Addressable Systems and Consumer Protection’.

    Stakeolders can now send in their comments by 1 July and any counter-comments by 8 July 2016 to the paper issued on 18 May 2016. The earlier date was 17 June for receipt of comments and 1 July 2016 for counter comments.

    As the country moves towards the final phase of digital addressable systems, TRAI 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).

    In over fifty questions posed to stakeholders, it wants to know the broad contours for Quality of Service 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.

    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 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.