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Tag: LCOs

  • National MSOs to meet in Mumbai on gross billing issue

    National MSOs to meet in Mumbai on gross billing issue

    MUMBAI: The national multi-system operators (MSOs) are meeting on 3 January in Mumbai to discuss the smooth rollout of gross billing in Maharashtra. While the deadline set by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to achieve 100 per cent customer application forms (CAFs) for phase II cities and submitting compliance report for gross billing for phase I cities came to an end on 31 December 2013, the MSOs have been unable to start gross billing in Maharashtra. The meeting has been called to discuss on the matter and come up with ways to ensure that gross billing begins in the state.

    “Since the issue of entertainment tax, which is supposed to be included in the bills generated to the consumer, is in the Bombay High Court, we cannot start gross billing in the state. We will be meeting on Friday to discuss issues at hand,” informs a MSO who will be attending the meeting.

     The MSOs are claiming to have achieved 90-95 per cent CAF and also submitted the compliance report for Delhi and Kolkata to TRAI. “But, the situation is a little different in Maharashtra,” admits the MSO.

    While no independent MSO will be a part of the meeting, the national players operating in Maharashtra: Hathway Cable & Datacom, DEN Networks, SitiCable and InCable will meet tomorrow.

    But, the last mile operators (LMOs) have decided to not allow gross billing in Maharashtra. “The case is anyways in the Bombay High Court and so the MSOs cannot start gross billing in the state. Though Hathway has verbally agreed to give partial access to its subscriber management system (SMS) to the LMOs and said that while it will bill the LMOs, the latter can bill the subscriber, thus being the owner of its subscriber, there has been no response from DEN and IMCL on the same,” informs Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) president Arvind Prabhoo.

    “We will not allow gross billing to start in Maharashtra till all the issues are resolved,” adds Prabhoo.

  • TRAI releases its 2013 report card

    TRAI releases its 2013 report card

    MUMBAI: The year 2013 saw the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) cracking its whip on the broadcasters as well as every other party within the industry for its betterment. It released several papers and regulations in order to do so. The Regulator that released its activity report for the year gone by as the New Year kicked off, said that consumer interest has been one of its main mandates.

    To ensure good consumer experience, in 2013, TRAI amended ‘standards of quality of service (duration of ads in TVs)” of 2004. And what came into effect was the regulation that restricts advertising air time to 12 minutes for a clock hour. The regulator says that this practice is not uncommon in several countries and also goes along with the provisions of the Cable TV Network Rules (1994). “Excessive advertisement adversely affects the quality of viewing experience of the consumer. The objective behind the issue of these regulations was to ensure a better quality of experience for the consumer,” says the TRAI’s activity paper.

    But even after this amendment, not all the broadcasters have been following it and the current fate of the ad cap is in a limbo. Several broadcasters have even challenged it in the Delhi High Court including the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). When channels openly did not follow the rule, TRAI started prosecuting them for it. Complaints were filed against 14 broadcasters for non compliance with the regulation. With this, TRAI disappointed many channels as the regulation came at a time when advertising rates were dipping and digitisation had not even entered phase II.

    TRAI also came up with The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Tariff Orders for cable TV and DTH services that provides standard tariff packs for supply and installation of STBs to consumers in DAS areas and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to DTH consumers.

    When India’s oldest DTH operator, Dish TV went to the regulator for extension of its 10 year licence that was to expire on 30 September, it woke up to the fact there were no guidelines/rules on  extension. The new consultation paper is reportedly coming out this month and meanwhile Dish TV has been allowed to continue on its existing terms and conditions.

    The issue of media ownership was also addressed with the Regulator coming out with a consultation paper that discussed points related to ownership of a media outlet, disqualification from the media sector and rules for mergers and acquisitions in the sector. Media monopoly issues were also taken up when the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) asked TRAI to examine whether there was a requirement of restrictions on MSOs and LCOs to prevent them from monopolising cable TV markets.

    The TAM brouhaha that saw adamant broadcasters unsubscribe to its ratings system led to the TRAI coming up with its guidelines defining parameters for ratings agencies and ratings systems.

    Major steps were taken to strengthen the process of digitsation. Multi-system Operators (MSOs) and Local Cable Operators (LCOs) were ordered to bring a proper subscriber management system (SMS) in place and disconnect signals for those whose details were not entered.

    Pay TV channels were asked to have written interconnect agreements with MSOs. One of the provisions that protected broadcasters was that an MSO could not demand signals for a particular channel under the ‘must provide’ clause and ask for carriage fee.

    As India is progressing towards digitisation, a la carte channels should also be available along with packages, so that subscribers can opt for either a la carte or bouquets or a combination of both. 14 LCOs and a MSO were also taken to court for not following DAS regulations.

  • Financial books of some Kolkata MSOs should be audited: Analysts

    Financial books of some Kolkata MSOs should be audited: Analysts

    KOLKATA: At a time when some multi-system operators (MSOs) in Kolkata are stuck in a legal battle with the government authorities over non-payment of taxes, city-based analysts feel that the financial books of some MSOs should be duly audited.

    “Some MSOs should be audited by the authorities as non-payment of taxes is causing loss to the state as well as central exchequer,” says a cable TV analyst Mrinal Chatterjee.

    Last year, in August 2013, Kolkata-based MSO Kolkata Cable & Broadband Pariseva Ltd (KCBPL) managing director Bijoy Kumar Agarwal was arrested for evading service tax payment to the tune of Rs 5.52 crore. Agarwal was arrested during a raid conducted by the service tax officials probing the alleged financial irregularities of the MSO.

    Says a local cable operator (LCO), “All these years, it was the LCOs who were held responsible for all the deeds and misdeeds. Now digitisation has helped in unfolding the truth that even the MSOs are resorting to unfair means to do their business. The government authorities must look into the matter seriously.”

    Trouble for operators in Kolkata seems to be intensifying. Before it was the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and now they are being closely monitored by the tax inspectors, police authorities and even the judiciary.

  • Unbundling channel rates a danger to TV ecosystem?

    Unbundling channel rates a danger to TV ecosystem?

    MUMBAI: In the midst of the digitisation process in India, several issues continue to be left unanswered. One such being the matter of unbundling of channels for which the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a consultation paper asking suggestions from stakeholders regarding the same but no decision was reached after that. There is however a rift between MSOs and aggregators on the issue with the MSOs favouring it and aggregators being against it.

    The real question is whether or not it will benefit everyone including the broadcasters, MSOs, aggregators and finally the consumer. 

    A report on the situation in the US by investment banking and asset management firm Needham and Co’s entertainment analyst and MD Laura Martin says, unbundling of cable TV rates could well be a recipe for disaster for all concerned. In the report, Martin has taken a look at the issue from the consumer’s perspective and its consequences for them and for the ecosystem. 

    Martin’s report reveals that US households pay about $720 per year for 180 channels out of which they watch just 18. Consumers would like to pay $30 per month to watch these 16-20 channels. As compared to this, in India, annual rates are a paltry $30-$60 per annum for anywhere between 120 channels to 200 plus channels. 

    Martin argues that if consumers wanted to have all 180 channels as a la carte, their annual spending would increase to $1260, i.e, 75 per cent higher than the current price. 

    Here’s how it goes: cable TV channels in the US generate $56 billion from advertising and $45 billion from subscribers, while pay TV distributors pocket $30 billion, if one goes by last year’s figures. She estimates that if there was unbundling about 124 channels out of these 180 would be wiped out as they would not be in a position to have an average of the 165,000 viewers which Martin estimates are needed to break even on each cable TV channel’s $280 million per annum investment. Her view is that niche channels would simply disappear.

    The decrease in channel choices, points out Martin, would also mean that approximately $80 to $113 billion would be lost in consumer value and the government would lose $20 billion in taxes. It will also put the US, which is already dealing with a high unemployment rate of 7.3 per cent in October 2013, at a risk of losing 1.4 million additional jobs.

    She also warns that if these 180 channels do not create content that is engaging young Americans in the 18-34 year age group, there might be no traditional linear television left in 10 years. Viewers are resorting to cord-cutting and migrating increasingly to online for their entertainment to services such as Hulu, Netflix, Big Frame, Defy Media, Fullscreen, Machinima, Maker Studios,etc. According to a statistics portal Statistica, 43 per cent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 preferred Netflix as compared to 46 per cent of paid subscribers who chose cable.

  • 100 Kolkata LCOs group to set up a new headend

    100 Kolkata LCOs group to set up a new headend

    KOLKATA: One would imagine that cable operators would be a happy lot, considering the country is on the threshold of the last two phases of digitisation. However, the truth is LMOs (last mile operators) or LCOs are unhappy with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) ruling on consumer application forms (CAF) and billing, which according to them, makes multi system operators (MSOs) the owners of consumers.

    Earlier this week, indiantelevison.com reported how a group of LCOs and independent MCOs met the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Technology in New Delhi to put forth their views on the subject.

    The latest, sources reveal, is that around 100 Kolkata-based LCOs – some affiliated with Siticable, others with Manthan – have come together and invested between Rs 2 and Rs 3 crore toward setting up a headend and accompanying infrastructure at Salt Lake College More in the city.

    This group is believed to be in the process of setting up a cooperative venture and is eager to start its own services. With the LCOs’ rising concern over MSOs becoming the owners of their hard-won subscribers, the development does not come as a surprise to the industry.

    However, “MSOs are creating hurdles for these LCOs,” sources added, without divulging any details.

    Swapan Chowdhury, convener of the Kolkata Cable Operators Digitalisation Committee of the Association of Cable Operators confirmed that this new cooperative had indeed been formed and that the LCOs might name the service Bengal Brand. “It is a difficult time for LCOs in Kolkata as the MSOs are not allowing them to go ahead with their plans,” he said.

    Rajiv Sharma, lead analyst (telecom and media), HSBC Securities, opined: “The local cable operators are also thinking of becoming MSOs by coming together… Not good news for the stock prices of existing MSOs which have raised funds from the public even if LCOs fail eventually.”

    Namit Dave, cable TV analyst, stated that bunching together was probably a good option for smaller operators. “A 200 channel headend costs nearly Rs 1 crore; a smaller operator with subscribers running into a few thousands would not find the investment profitable in a small town. However, if operators were to get together, it could end up being a profitable venture,” he pointed out.

    Kolkata-based Manthan Broadband Services director Sudip Ghosh sees more cable ops coming together in east India. Says he: “Players with a subscriber base of more than 500,000 may not consolidate headends. But Kolkata can see the consolidation of players with others having a subscriber base of around 300,000-400,000.

  • Industry speaks on cable monopoly

    Industry speaks on cable monopoly

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is now looking at ensuring a level playing field for both the multi system operators (MSOs) and the local cable operators (LCOs). The regulator on 26 November came out with a recommendation paper which put a cap of 50 per cent on MSOs stake in any state. The recommendation paper aims at curbing the monopoly of MSOs.

    “Currently there are no restrictions on the area of operation and accumulation of interest in terms of market share in a city, district, state or country by MSOs. It has been observed in some states that a single entity has, over a period of time, acquired ‘control’ of several MSOs and LCOs, virtually monopolising cable TV distribution in that market. Cases of market dominance by MSOs have been reported at various forums. Such monopolies/market dominance in the TV channel distribution market are not in the best interest of consumers and may have serious implications in terms of competition, pricing, quality of service and the efficient growth of the TV channel distribution market,” states the recommendation paper.

    The regulator has now recommended that market dominance should be determined based on market share in terms of the number of active subscribers of MSOs in the relevant market. To evaluate the level of competition or market concentration in a relevant market, the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) should be used. The TRAI has also recommended that the threshold value for any individual/ ‘group’ entity contribution to the market, HHI should be not more than 2500.

    ABS 7 Star CMD Atul Saraf

    “We welcome the recommendation paper. If one has to see, there is monopoly of one or two players in few states like Punjab, UP etc. I feel 50 per cent is also huge; it should be reduced to 25 per cent to give a level playing field. The recommendation paper if implemented will give quality service to customers,” says ABS 7 Star CMD Atul Saraf.  

    According to Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO Jagdish Kumar G. Pillai, the MSO, by definition, does not have a market share of more than 50 per cent. “We are not impacted by this. And then it is just a recommendation paper. What will be interesting is how the regulator will ascertain the percentage of one’s operation till the country is fully digitised. It is impossible to know one’s percentage share in the analogue phase,” says Pillai.

    He adds, “It will impact some MSOs that are dominant players in few states.”

    Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO Jagdish Kumar G. Pillai

    The recommendation paper states that MSOs that currently have more than 50 per cent stake in any state need not reduce their share, but cannot get into any further mergers and acquisition (M&A). “By this, the regulator has ensured that the MSOs are also not affected,” informs Pillai.

    Through the recommendation paper, TRAI wants to ensure that there is no dominance of any player and that there is a level playing field for the LCOs, MSOs and the broadcaster.  

    The TRAI is laying down the rules for the future. “One never knows about the future in terms of technology and also the methods used by the MSOs to operate. The regulator has to think not for a couple of years, but 10-20 years down the line. The recommendation paper ensures that the LMOs and the MSOs on pan-India basis can co-exist and function rationally,” opines Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation president Arvind Prabhoo.

    Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation president Arvind Prabhoo

    The 50 per cent cap will ensure excellent quality service, healthy competition and also keep costs in check. “The 50 per cent stake is still high, the regulator should keep the cap at 30-40 per cent,” he says. 

    According to Prabhoo, it is a progressive move by TRAI. “The authority is ensuring that there is no monopoly – vertical or horizontal and at the same time, is also ensuring that the LMOs have a choice. The LMOs welcome the move,” he states.

    Ortel Communications president and CEO Bibhu Prasad Rath says, “As I understand, the authority, through this recommendation, is trying to restrict the building up of the market share by any individual /group entity through M&A/control of an entity over many MSOs and LCOs. This does not apply to us because of our differentiated business model being independent and expanding directly through last mile connectivity without going through any M&A or control of other MSO/LCOs.”

    Rath thinks that a 50 per cent market share in a state for any MSO will be fair from a competition perspective. “So we do not see much problem in this. However, we believe that the market share should always be calculated by combining cable TV and DTH together as both aim to serve the same set of customers. The regulator has dismissed this argument which we think is unfair,” exults Rath.

    Ortel Communications president and CEO Bibhu Prasad Rath

    Rath also opines that any such regulation can be implemented smoothly when digitisation is fully put into practice. “In an analogue era, it is not practical to implement this. We hope the MIB will take care of these issues before notifying the same,” he states.

    GTPL COO Shaji Mathews says that the monopoly guidelines have their origins from the analogue era when broadcasters had complained to the TRAI. Says he: “It was an issue which was faced by the broadcasters due to dearth of space on cable networks then; it is being addressed at a time when the country is moving towards digitization.”

    Mathews feel that the recommendation paper doesn’t address two key points — one, when the cable networks join hands to fight against the broadcasters and two, when the broadcaster joins hands with a particular cable network to help them monopolise. “Both these issues which are the root cause to monopoly have not been addressed in the recommendation paper,” says Mathews.

    Mathews also points out that though the recommendation discourages monopoly, it encourages those cable operators who are related to broadcasters to grow their base in areas where they until now had no base. “For the viewer to get good service and for the cable operators to exist and also run a profitable business, there needs to be a transparent and non-discriminatory system. The regulator needs to bring laws for content players,” concludes Mathews.

    TRAI recommendations on monopoly or market dominance in cable TV services

  • LCOs, independent MSOs unhappy with digitisation

    LCOs, independent MSOs unhappy with digitisation

    MUMBAI: Back in 2012, when India kicked-off the process of digitisation, local cable operators (LCOs) were an unhappy lot; approaching state high courts for respite from what they perceived as a threat to their business.

     

    Today, one would imagine cable ops to be happy, considering the first two phases of DAS are almost complete and India is on the threshold of the final phases (III and IV) of the big switch (analogue to digital feed).

     

    However, the truth is: cable ops are not happy with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) ruling on consumer application forms (CAF) and billing, which according to LCOs, makes multi system operators (MSOs) owners of consumers. In this connection, a group of LCOs and independent MSOs met the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Technology in New Delhi and put forth their views.

     

    ABS 7 Star CMD Atul Saraf told the committee: “The ownership of the consumers should be with the LCOs and not with the MSOs. The TRAI and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B Ministry) should amend the DAS rules keeping in mind the interest of all stake holders.”
    Almost 90 per cent of the STBs are imported from China, we propose that 70 per cent of the STBs should be Indian, says Atul Saraf

     

    Saraf pointed out that though there were 60,000 LCOs and 8,000 MSOs across the country, the task force formed for the process did not include a single LCO or MSO. “A new task force should be formed with all stake holders and not a couple of MSOs and broadcasters who are in vertical monopoly,” he remarked.

     

    Drawing attention to the low quality of the Chinese set top boxes (STBs) being used, he said cable ops who had already spent close to USD 4 billion in the first two phases would be forced to spend another USD 4-5 billion in the last two phases of DAS. “Currently, most of the STBs being seeded are Chinese. The boxes which are of low quality may have to be replaced in the next couple of years, which means more cost for the operators,” Saraf said, cautioning against implementing phases III and IV before the completion of the first two phases.

     

    “There should be a Broadcast Act to monitor broadcasters. Also, only after both the consumers and cable operators reap the benefits of DAS phase I and II, phase III and IV should be implemented,” he said.

    Increasing import duty on STBs will discourage the MSOs from importing STBs from China, points Arvind Prabhoo

     

    On behalf of the cable op community, Saraf demanded: “We want the committee to question the government as to why these loopholes were not looked at before importing such STBs,” pointing toward the growing need for indigenous box manufacturing. “Currently, almost 90 per cent of the STBs are imported from China; we propose that 70 per cent of the STBs should be Indian,” said he.

     

    He proposed that while the current import duty on STBs is 10 per cent, it should be raised to 50 per cent. “Wasn’t digitisation meant to uplift Indian STB manufacturers and also create more jobs for them? What I fail to understand is how the TRAI and I&B Ministry did not see these loopholes before implementing digitisation,” Saraf questioned.

     

    Seconding Saraf on the hike in import duty as well as indigenous manufacture of STBs was Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation president Arvind Prabhoo. “Of course, importance should be given to the national STB manufacturers. If the import duty is increased, it will surely discourage the MSOs from importing STBs from China and also encourage Indian manufacturers. That digitisation should have helped generate revenue and employment for Indians, are issues the government should have thought about,” he said.
    We plan to go and meet the members of parliament once the winter session commences,says Pramod Pandya

     

    He opined that the government had been misled at some point. “I think that a certain section of the industry presented a wrong picture to the government. But, I am sure they will work on it now.”

     

    Gujarat Cable Operators Association president Pramod Pandya wanted to know if any consumer survey had been conducted before implementing digitisation. “I do not understand the need to force the implementation of DAS, if the country doesn’t have infrastructure to support it,” he thundered, pointing out that cable ops are hopeful the Broadcast Bill will be proposed during the winter session of the Parliament. “We plan to go and meet the members of parliament once the winter session commences,” he rounded off.

  • LCOs give their views to parliamentary committee on IT

    LCOs give their views to parliamentary committee on IT

    MUMBAI: If one thought that the local cable operators (LCOs) would give up without a good fight for their rights, one was surely mistaken. When around 10 LCOs from across states met the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Technology today in New Delhi, they ensured that their voices were heard on digital addressable systems (DAS). The meeting that went on for two and half hours was attended by 20 members of parliament.

     

    While each LCO was heard by the committee, it was ABS 7 Star CMD Atul Saraf who said that the LCOs were not against digitisation, but against mandated digitisation. “Digitisation should be voluntary,” he said in the meeting.

     

    The LCOs represented the trials and tribulations of the cable TV consumer to the committee. “We spoke on consumer interest and what they had gained with digitisation,” informed Cable Operators Federation of India president Roop Sharma. The operators opined that the consumer should be able to choose his set top box (STB).

     

    Apart from Saraf and Sharma, the others who were a part of the committee included: Pramod Pandya, Swapan Chowdhary, Jeevan Khanna, Ajeet Singh, Sudhish Kumar, GS Oberoi, Gaurav Gupta, Chandradeep Bhatia and Paramjit Singh.

     

    “The consumer should be able to buy portable STBs which gives him access to internet, video-on-demand and other facilities. Why should every consumer be burdened with the same quality of STB. There should be a provision that if someone wants to buy an expensive STB they should be able to do so,” said Sharma.

     

    The operators also suggested that since it is the consumer who pays for the STB, they should be allowed to own it. “Also consumer should have the option to change STBs and his service provider. Currently if Hathway seeds a STB in a consumer’s house, they cannot switch to another MSO,” said Sharma to the committee.

     

    The LCOs also raised concern over their own existence. Many in the meeting felt that the LCOs have been left at the mercy of the MSOs. They also said that the process of billing and the power to switch off STBs should be with the LCOs and not MSOs.

     

    The operators put a point stating that TRAI should first successfully complete digitisation of phase I and II and then start the work in phase III and IV.

     

    On the issue of entertainment tax, the LCO representatives opined that there should be uniformity in taxation throughout. “Also we told them that entertainment tax should be collected per household and not per TV set,” informed Sharma.

     

    The MPs asked the LCOs for solutions to the issues with digitisation, to which the LCOs suggested that the long pending Broadcasting Bill and the DTH Act needs to be brought in to regulate and control the  the broadcasters and DTH players respectively.

     

    Also a point on implementation of vertical monopoly and cross media holding on immediate basis, before going ahead with further digitisation was made.
    The committee will also be meeting Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari in a couple of days, after which they will come out with a recommendation which will be submitted to the I&B Ministry.

  • DAS Phase II MSOs get 29 November deadline for activating SMS

    DAS Phase II MSOs get 29 November deadline for activating SMS

    MUMBAI: The noose is tightening around those operating in digital addressable system (DAS) phase II areas. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today stated that MSOs have until 29 November 2013 – less than 10 days from today to complete the process of collecting the consumer application forms (CAFs) with information which includes the name, address, choice of channels and bouquets and entering the information into their subscriber management systems (SMS).  They have been directed to have the SMS operationalised by then and also submit a compliance report.

     

    The direction states that the SMS system has to comply with the digital addressable cable TV system requirements as mentioned in regulation 20 of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) Regulations, 2012, for ensuring efficient and error-free service to the subscribers by recording and providing individualised preferences for channels, billing cycles or refunds.

     

    It is to be noted that the regulator had first on 26 April directed the MSOs to ensure that the SMS is operationalised and the signals of TV channels are transmitted to only those subscribers whose details such as name, address, choice of channel and bouquets etc are entered into the SMS. The MSOs were also directed to disconnect TV signals of the subscribers whose details were not entered into the SMS system and allow such subscribers to surrender their set top boxes. The MSOs had then been asked to furnish compliance report by 7 May.

     

    Again on 19 July, the Authority convened a meeting of the MSOs operating in Mumbai, Kolkata and other 38 cities covered under DAS phase-II to review the progress of implementation of DAS, wherein the MSOs were asked to collect the CAFs, complete in all respects, including choice of channels/ services and enter the complete details of the subscribers in the SMS by 20 September.  The regulator had even issued a letter on 23 July directing MSOs to ensure compliance and communicate the same to the LCOs and furnish the report in the given deadline. But with the MSOs failing to comply yet again, the regulator again held a meeting on 25 September with the MSOs to review the progress of implementation of digitization in DAS phase II cities. The MSOs in this meeting had requested for the extension of the deadline to 15 November. Once again, they slipped on that deadline.
    With the new sunset date being set as 29 November, can we expect compliance or another extension?

     

  • TDSAT admits petition by LCOs wanting right of billing under DAS

    TDSAT admits petition by LCOs wanting right of billing under DAS

    NEW DELHI: Cable operators in the state of Maharashtra have got a head start regarding the billing system for cable television under DAS that MSOs are planning to put into effect. The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has accepted its petition and the case filed by the Nasik District Cable Operators Association of Maharashtra will come up for hearing on 22 November.

     

    Counsel Vikram Singh submitted that while the services were being provided by the local cable operators, the billing was meant to be done by the multi-system operators under the Standards of Quality of Service (Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems) Regulations 2012 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

     

    TRAI counsel Saket Singh sought to argue that LCOs cannot approach TDSAT as they are not service providers. However, the Bench of Member Kuldip Singh admitted the case for hearing and asked TRAI to file its counter-affidavit.

     

    It has also been stated in the petition that cable TV operations cannot be equated with telecom services since there was only one service provider for mobiles while there were the MSOs and the LCOs in television.

     

    Regulation 14 of the Regulations issued on 14 May 2012 says ‘Every multi-system operator shall offer cable TV services on both pre-paid and post-paid payment options to the subscriber and shall be responsible for generation of bills for the subscribers.’

     

    Regulation 15 says ‘Every multi-system operator either directly or through its linked local cable operator, as the case may be, shall give to every subscriber the bill for charges due and payable by such subscriber for each month or for such other period as agreed between the parties, for which such charges become payable by the subscriber.

     

    The LMOs in Maharashtra have been fighting against the alleged dominance shown by MSOs by imposing restrictions on them as well as dictating terms relating to billing practice. A cable TV blackout was also held in various parts of the state from 6pm to 9pm on 2 October as a sign of protest.