ITV

Tag: interconnect agreement

  • TRAI tariff order, interconnect regulations; date for responses extended

    TRAI tariff order, interconnect regulations; date for responses extended

    NEW DELHI: Stakeholders wanting to give in their reactions to the latest draft Tariff order for Digital Addressable Systems, the Quality of Service and Consumer Protection Regulations, and the draft interconnect regulations have been given time till 15 November 2016 to respond.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which had issued these three documents, had earlier given other dates but has given a final extension to give an opportunity to the stakeholders to offer their comments but has made it clear that there will be no further extensions.

    The documents have been issued after considering the views expressed by the stakeholders during the consultation process and internal analysis of TRAI.

    Clearly, this is because the final phase of DAS comes into effect from 1 January 2017.  

    The Draft “Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff Order 2016 and the Draft “The Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Digital Addressable Systems) Regulations 2016 had been issued on 10 October 2016.

    Later, TRAI had issued the Draft Interconnection Regulation for TV Broadcasting Services provided through Addressable Systems on 14 October 2016.

    In a note on its website, TRAI said the whole process had begun when it issued a Consultation Paper on “Tariff  Issues related to TV Services” on 29 January 2016 in order to holistically review the existing regulatory framework for TV broadcasting services delivered through addressable systems. TRAI had also issued a Consultation Paper on “Interconnection framework for Broadcasting TV Services distributed through Addressable Systems” on 4 May 2016 inviting comments. Subsequently, a Consultation Paper on “Issues related to Quality of Services in Digital Addressable Systems and Consumer Protection for TV Broadcasting Services” was issued on 18 May 2016.

    In order to further discuss with the stakeholders, the issues involved in the said consultation papers, Open House Discussions (OHDs) were also conducted on all the three consultation papers.

    Also read

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-releases-draft-tariff-consumer-das-regulations-161010

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/offer-premium-channels-as-a-la-carte-dont-bundle-trai-161010

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-may-check-broadcasters-distributors-monopolistic-behaviour-161012

    and

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-issues-comprehensive-interconnect-draft-guidelines-161014

  • TRAI tariff order, interconnect regulations; date for responses extended

    TRAI tariff order, interconnect regulations; date for responses extended

    NEW DELHI: Stakeholders wanting to give in their reactions to the latest draft Tariff order for Digital Addressable Systems, the Quality of Service and Consumer Protection Regulations, and the draft interconnect regulations have been given time till 15 November 2016 to respond.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which had issued these three documents, had earlier given other dates but has given a final extension to give an opportunity to the stakeholders to offer their comments but has made it clear that there will be no further extensions.

    The documents have been issued after considering the views expressed by the stakeholders during the consultation process and internal analysis of TRAI.

    Clearly, this is because the final phase of DAS comes into effect from 1 January 2017.  

    The Draft “Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff Order 2016 and the Draft “The Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Digital Addressable Systems) Regulations 2016 had been issued on 10 October 2016.

    Later, TRAI had issued the Draft Interconnection Regulation for TV Broadcasting Services provided through Addressable Systems on 14 October 2016.

    In a note on its website, TRAI said the whole process had begun when it issued a Consultation Paper on “Tariff  Issues related to TV Services” on 29 January 2016 in order to holistically review the existing regulatory framework for TV broadcasting services delivered through addressable systems. TRAI had also issued a Consultation Paper on “Interconnection framework for Broadcasting TV Services distributed through Addressable Systems” on 4 May 2016 inviting comments. Subsequently, a Consultation Paper on “Issues related to Quality of Services in Digital Addressable Systems and Consumer Protection for TV Broadcasting Services” was issued on 18 May 2016.

    In order to further discuss with the stakeholders, the issues involved in the said consultation papers, Open House Discussions (OHDs) were also conducted on all the three consultation papers.

    Also read

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-releases-draft-tariff-consumer-das-regulations-161010

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/offer-premium-channels-as-a-la-carte-dont-bundle-trai-161010

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-may-check-broadcasters-distributors-monopolistic-behaviour-161012

    and

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-issues-comprehensive-interconnect-draft-guidelines-161014

  • TDSAT asks Sun Distribution to reconnect signals to MSO on fifty per cent payment

    TDSAT asks Sun Distribution to reconnect signals to MSO on fifty per cent payment

    NEW DELHI: Sun Distribution Services Pvt Ltd has been asked by vacation bench of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to reconnect the signals to the City Digital Network if it pays fifty per cent of the dues mentioned in the disconnection notice within a week.

    Member B B Srivastava said the payment will be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties.

    Hearing the matter on 22 June 2016, the Tribunal fixed the matter for 18 July with the reply of Sun Distribution.

    Meanwhile, both parties will meet at a convenient timein the Hyderabad office of the resoindent to resolve the issue over renewal of interconnect agreement.

  • TDSAT asks Sun Distribution to reconnect signals to MSO on fifty per cent payment

    TDSAT asks Sun Distribution to reconnect signals to MSO on fifty per cent payment

    NEW DELHI: Sun Distribution Services Pvt Ltd has been asked by vacation bench of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to reconnect the signals to the City Digital Network if it pays fifty per cent of the dues mentioned in the disconnection notice within a week.

    Member B B Srivastava said the payment will be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties.

    Hearing the matter on 22 June 2016, the Tribunal fixed the matter for 18 July with the reply of Sun Distribution.

    Meanwhile, both parties will meet at a convenient timein the Hyderabad office of the resoindent to resolve the issue over renewal of interconnect agreement.

  • TDSAT directs MSO to pay Rs 2.45 crore as interim payment to Taj TV, sign agreement

    TDSAT directs MSO to pay Rs 2.45 crore as interim payment to Taj TV, sign agreement

    NEW DELHI: Grant lnvestrade Ltd has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to make an on-account payment of Rs 2.45 crore in two equal installments to Taj Television and execute an interconnect agreement on RIO terms effective from 21 June 2016.

    Chairman Justice Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava said the payments in two equal installments will be first within four weeks of 14 June 2016 and the second .within six weeks from the date of the first payment.

    The interim payments and those under the RIO agreement will be without prejudice to the rights and contentions ofthe parties.

    Taj Television told the Tribunal that its dues in terms of the last interconnect agreement comes to Rs 2.15 crores as on30 April 2016. Adding to it the subscript1on up to 20 June 2016 @ of Rs 92 lakhs per month the dues according toMr. Bhatia, would come to Rs four crore.

    (Justice Aftab Alam has since completed his term at Chairperson of the Tribunal.)

  • TDSAT directs MSO to pay Rs 2.45 crore as interim payment to Taj TV, sign agreement

    TDSAT directs MSO to pay Rs 2.45 crore as interim payment to Taj TV, sign agreement

    NEW DELHI: Grant lnvestrade Ltd has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal to make an on-account payment of Rs 2.45 crore in two equal installments to Taj Television and execute an interconnect agreement on RIO terms effective from 21 June 2016.

    Chairman Justice Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava said the payments in two equal installments will be first within four weeks of 14 June 2016 and the second .within six weeks from the date of the first payment.

    The interim payments and those under the RIO agreement will be without prejudice to the rights and contentions ofthe parties.

    Taj Television told the Tribunal that its dues in terms of the last interconnect agreement comes to Rs 2.15 crores as on30 April 2016. Adding to it the subscript1on up to 20 June 2016 @ of Rs 92 lakhs per month the dues according toMr. Bhatia, would come to Rs four crore.

    (Justice Aftab Alam has since completed his term at Chairperson of the Tribunal.)

  • DAS: TRAI seeks details of disputed cases pending in Bombay HC from MSOs & LCOs

    DAS: TRAI seeks details of disputed cases pending in Bombay HC from MSOs & LCOs

    NEW DELHI: All local cable operators (LCOs) and multi system operators (MSOs) who have any pending problems relating to inter connect agreements for Digital Addressable System (DAS) have been asked to inform the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

     

    In a proforma issued today, TRAI asked LCOs and MSOs in the matters pending before the Bombay High Court to give details of the problems they are facing and for which they want the intervention of the Authority.

     

    The directive by TRAI follows an order of the High Court of 1 September that TRAI should resolve such disputes within four weeks.

     

    TRAI made it clear that all MSOs and LCOs should respond by 14 September.

     

    MSOs and LCOs can address their responses to Deputy Advisor (B&CS) G S Kesarvani preferably via e-mail at das@trai.gov.in.

  • LMOs victor as Bombay HC directs TRAI to settle interconnect issue

    LMOs victor as Bombay HC directs TRAI to settle interconnect issue

    MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court today (1 September, 2015) issued direction to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to settle the Interconnect Agreement (ICA) issue between last mile owners (LMOs) and multi system operators (MSOs) within two weeks. A report has to be submitted to the TRAI on the proceedings in 30 days.

    “All LMOs are advised not to sign the one sided Interconnect Agreement of all MSOs. If the LMO has already signed without understanding the same and if the MSO has not given a copy of the Interconnect Agreement with their company seal and signature within 15 days of signing the same then the Interconnect Agreement is null and void,” said Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) in a statement.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com MCOF president Arvind Prabhu said, “This is a victory for the last mile operators who were constantly denied their dues. It’s the LMOs who do all the hard work in maintaining a cordial relationship with the consumers and growing the customer base, but MSOs are not ready to acknowledge this. We want a justified proposition through which the last mile operators will get their due.”

    “We want an agreement, which will be a balanced proposition between all the stakeholders. We want to have a transparent ecosystem where there is clarity on every aspect including revenue system. Ignoring LMOs or not giving them their due certainly cannot be the way forward,” added Prabhu.      

    “A just and fair ICA will now be drafted under the supervision of the Hon. Bombay High Court by TRAI and parties involved. All MSOs are to be made parties in this matter by MCOF so that there is a common just and fair Interconnect Agreement for all LMOs across India,” MCOF said in the statement.

  • MSOs facing problems in signing interconnect deals with b’casters to inform TRAI by 24 August

    MSOs facing problems in signing interconnect deals with b’casters to inform TRAI by 24 August

    NEW DELHI: With just over four months left for implementation of Phase III of the Digital Addressable System (DAS) for cable operators, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked multi-system operators and broadcasters to expedite signing of inter-connect agreements.

     

    Apart from pointing out that it had placed on its website a standardized form for this, TRAI stressed that the rules provide that an agreement has to be signed by registered MSOs with broadcasters within 60 days of receiving a request.  

     

    TRAI said it had notified a comprehensive regulatory framework encompassing interconnection, quality of service, consumer complaint redressal regulation and tariff orders for implementation of   DAS.

     

    The MSOs who have been granted registration for providing cable TV services through DAS are required to enter into interconnection agreements with pay TV broadcasters for re-transmission of pay TV channels to subscribers.

     

    The Regulatory framework for DAS provides that every broadcaster shall provide the signals of TV channels to an MSO in accordance with its reference interconnect offer or as may be mutually agreed, within 60 days from the date of receipt of the request.

     

    The Authority said that in case the request for providing signals of TV channels is not agreed to, the reasons for such refusal to provide signals will be conveyed to the person making a request within 60 days from the date of request. 

     

    The MSOs who have approached pay TV broadcasters for providing signals of TV channels in accordance with the provisions of the interconnection regulations but have not been able to enter into interconnection agreements even after the passage of 60 days from the date of making request and also not received the reasons for not entering into interconnection agreement from the broadcaster may write to TRAI by 24 August through e-mail at das@trai.gov.in for initiating action in such cases according to the TRAI Act.

     

    As the cutoff date for Phase-III areas – 31 December – is fast approaching, the registered MSOs were advised by TRAI to make a written request to the broadcasters of pay channels for provisioning of the signals of TV channels as per their business requirement, so that they get signals of pay TV channels well before the cutoff date.

     

    The Authority said it had taken a number of initiatives to facilitate timely signing of interconnection agreements between broadcasters and MSOs. The Authority and broadcasters have uploaded standardised application form and contact details on their respective websites. For the convenience of the stakeholders, the details have also been uploaded on TRAI website.

  • TDSAT asks TRAI to examine HITS operators’ inter-connect agreements

    TDSAT asks TRAI to examine HITS operators’ inter-connect agreements

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has now been asked to examine whether a broadcaster’s RIO should form the basis for negotiations to enter into an interconnect agreement with the distributor of signals.

     

    The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT), which had earlier asked TRAI to re-examine the issue of Digital Addressable System (DAS) tariffs, also wants to know if the RIO is only a fall back basis in case the negotiations between the broadcaster and the distributor for entering into interconnect agreement otherwise fails.

     

    Summing up the issues that came up for consideration in two cases, the Tribunal asked whether an interconnect agreement between a broadcaster and a distributor of signals on a fixed fee basis, completely dehors the broadcaster’s RIO, can be said to be in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations.

     

    It also asked if it is open to the broadcaster to give discounts, concessions and facilities to distributors of signals on a deal to deal basis or is the broadcaster obliged to frame a standard scheme of discounts, concessions and facilities and make it public so that it may be available to all similarly situated distributors equally.

     

    The Tribunal also asked the status of a Headend In The Sky (HITS) operator vis-a-vis a broadcaster for the purpose of inter-connect arrangements, and whether a HITS operator is comparable to a large MSO operating on a pan India basis.

     

    TDSAT chairman Justice Aftab Alam along with members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava were examining two cases filed by Noida Software Technology Park Ltd against Media Pro and Taj Television.

     

    The Tribunal wanted a clear stand from TRAI and also directed that this order should be placed on the Tribunal website in the form of a notice with copies being sent to the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), MSO Alliance and DTH Operators’ Association, as any adjudication of these questions is likely to affect the broadcasting sector as a whole fundamentally.

     

    The Tribunal said it would be open to any stakeholders to intervene and address the Tribunal on the issue.

     

    Listing the matter for further hearing on 11 August, it said any applications for intervention may be filed within one week from today (30 July).