ITV

Tag: Manthan Broadband

  • TDSAT rules in favour of broadcaster against MSO

    TDSAT rules in favour of broadcaster against MSO

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has reiterated that failure to collect fees from subscribers is not sufficient ground for any multi-system operator or distributor for non-payment of earlier dues or monthly subscription to a broadcaster.

    Member B B Srivastava agreed with an earlier TDSAT order on 6 October 2014 quoted by Taj TV counsel Upender Thakur which is the respondent in the petition filed by Manthan Broadband Service Pvt Ltd.

    The Tribunal in Petition No. 144(C) of 2014 (Sun Distribution Services Pvt. Ltd. vs Digicable Network (lndia) Pvt Ltd.) had observed:

    “To my mind, the failure to collect from the ground is not a sufficient justification for not making payment to the broadcaster its earlier dues and the current monthly license fees in time.”

    After hearing counsel for both sides, TDSAT extended by 10 days the time given to Manthan to clear its dues to Taj TV ‘by way of one time indulgence.’

    Also read:   VXL and linked LCOs barred from receiving signals from any other MSO

    Also read:   TDSAT forbids VXL Digital to receive signals from any MSO after dispute with Indiacast

  • TDSAT rules in favour of broadcaster against MSO

    TDSAT rules in favour of broadcaster against MSO

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has reiterated that failure to collect fees from subscribers is not sufficient ground for any multi-system operator or distributor for non-payment of earlier dues or monthly subscription to a broadcaster.

    Member B B Srivastava agreed with an earlier TDSAT order on 6 October 2014 quoted by Taj TV counsel Upender Thakur which is the respondent in the petition filed by Manthan Broadband Service Pvt Ltd.

    The Tribunal in Petition No. 144(C) of 2014 (Sun Distribution Services Pvt. Ltd. vs Digicable Network (lndia) Pvt Ltd.) had observed:

    “To my mind, the failure to collect from the ground is not a sufficient justification for not making payment to the broadcaster its earlier dues and the current monthly license fees in time.”

    After hearing counsel for both sides, TDSAT extended by 10 days the time given to Manthan to clear its dues to Taj TV ‘by way of one time indulgence.’

    Also read:   VXL and linked LCOs barred from receiving signals from any other MSO

    Also read:   TDSAT forbids VXL Digital to receive signals from any MSO after dispute with Indiacast

  • Don’t disconnect signals to part-paying MSO, ZEEL directed

    Don’t disconnect signals to part-paying MSO, ZEEL directed

    NEW DELHI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal not to disconnect the signals to Seven Star Dot Com Pvt Ltd provided the latter keeps paying the monthly subscription on the basis of invoices raised.

    Listing the matter for further hearing on 16 September, the tribunal member B B Srivastava, on 2 September 2016, said that the Tribunal had been informed by Seven Star counsel Naveen Chawla that a sum of Rs 50 lakh had been paid by his client as an on-account payment.

    The Tribunal said this payment would be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of both the parties and will be subject to the final order of the Tribunal.

    In another case, the Tribunal adjourned to 21 September 2016 a matter by Hathway Cable and Datacom Ltd after the Tribunal was informed that Pragya Vision Pvt Ltd had only paid two cheques of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10,000 against the demand of Rs 94,11,572. Adjourning the matter, the Tribunal directed that the Managing Director of Pragya Vision – who was present – will be present on the next date as well. The counsel for Pragya said his client would submit an affidavit about the schedule of payments.

    In a third case the same day, INX News Pvt Ltd Mumbai counsel Nittin Bhatia informed the Tribunal that four instalments of the payments due to Manthan Broadband of Kolkata had been made. But, the matter was put off to 13 September 2016 as Mathan counsel Anurup Narula wanted time to respond to the reply to its miscellaneous application filed by INX.

  • Don’t disconnect signals to part-paying MSO, ZEEL directed

    Don’t disconnect signals to part-paying MSO, ZEEL directed

    NEW DELHI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has been directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal not to disconnect the signals to Seven Star Dot Com Pvt Ltd provided the latter keeps paying the monthly subscription on the basis of invoices raised.

    Listing the matter for further hearing on 16 September, the tribunal member B B Srivastava, on 2 September 2016, said that the Tribunal had been informed by Seven Star counsel Naveen Chawla that a sum of Rs 50 lakh had been paid by his client as an on-account payment.

    The Tribunal said this payment would be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of both the parties and will be subject to the final order of the Tribunal.

    In another case, the Tribunal adjourned to 21 September 2016 a matter by Hathway Cable and Datacom Ltd after the Tribunal was informed that Pragya Vision Pvt Ltd had only paid two cheques of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10,000 against the demand of Rs 94,11,572. Adjourning the matter, the Tribunal directed that the Managing Director of Pragya Vision – who was present – will be present on the next date as well. The counsel for Pragya said his client would submit an affidavit about the schedule of payments.

    In a third case the same day, INX News Pvt Ltd Mumbai counsel Nittin Bhatia informed the Tribunal that four instalments of the payments due to Manthan Broadband of Kolkata had been made. But, the matter was put off to 13 September 2016 as Mathan counsel Anurup Narula wanted time to respond to the reply to its miscellaneous application filed by INX.

  • Over 100 additional MSOs get 10 year licences, 16 fail to get clearance

    Over 100 additional MSOs get 10 year licences, 16 fail to get clearance

    NEW DELHI: A total of 104 multi-system operators (MSOs) all over the country have been granted permanent registration for 10 years to operate the digital addressable system while the licences of 16 MSOs have been cancelled.

     

    The MSOs in both the approved and the cancelled list had been given provisional permission earlier.

     

    Those who have got permission include IndusInd Media and Communications, Hathway Cable & Datacom, Manthan Broadband, Den Network, Home Cable, Digicable Network, Delhi Distribution Company and Asianet Satellite Communications.

     

    Kolkata based MSO Digicable Communications has been denied permission after the break-up of the joint venture with Mumbai based Digicable Networks, which has received permission for Greater Mumbai, National Capital Territory of Delhi and Greater Kolkata.

     

    Digicable Network India managing director & CEO Jagjit Singh Kohli said that they would ask for a stay on MIB’s decision to cancel the licence in the court. 

     

    Other cancelled permissions include Skynet Digital Services, Jai Maa Vaishno Entertainment, Intermedia Cable Communications, Supersonic Networks and Godfather Communications.

       

    Industry sources said that the approved list was in addition to the 140 whose names had been approved in March last year.

     

    The Ministry website mib.nic.in has added information about the approved MSOs, listing the areas for which they have been given permission.

     

    The website also contains the reasons in brief for the denial of permission to those which have failed to get the licences. In most cases, it is due to failure to get clearance from the Home Ministry.

     

    The new list is the outcome of Open Houses held by the Ministry with various MSOs, while some have come as a result of court cases. 

  • Manthan Broadband eyes customers in DAS phases I and II with lucrative deals

    Manthan Broadband eyes customers in DAS phases I and II with lucrative deals

    KOLKATA: The ongoing Cable TV Show 2014 in Kolkata became a platform for the Kolkata-headquartered cable TV multi-system operator (MSO) Manthan Broadband to make few lucrative deals to consumers. The show at the Netaji Indoor Stadium has witnessed an amazing response in the first two days and thus Manthan took an opportunity to woo the direct-to-home customers as it announced that any customer from the Digital Addressable System (DAS) phases I and II if switches to Manthan, he won’t have to pay anything for the set top boxes (STBs) and the installation charges.

     

    However, few terms and conditions apply as the customers will have to opt for the ‘Super Sunday Pack’ at Rs 320 per month. “As a fair offer, we have informed to all our affiliated local cable operators (LCOs) that customers will just have to pay five months subscription fees and can enjoy the Manthan cable services for six months,” said Manthan Broadband Services director Sudip Ghosh also adding that the offer is mainly aimed at high-end customers. “With this offer, a customer can save around Rs 1500 as of now,” he said.

     

    According to Ghosh, by the end of May, the MSO is aiming to poach around 50,000 connections. It is present in Kolkata, Howrah and Ranchi with around 7.5 lakh STBs in DAS I and II.

     

    Interestingly, cable TV analysts think that the region is going to witness such offers from more players in the region despite of DTH penetration being low in the region. The DTH connections in the region has just crossed the 5 lakh mark.

     

    “Last week Dish TV created a sub brand Zing to target regional markets and the STB offer was at a lower price.  And now cable TV industry players like Manthan waging a war on DTH players. More such announcement by different players can be expected to poach others’ customers,” said an analyst.

  • TRAI orders MSOs to deliver RIOs; tariff packages

    TRAI orders MSOs to deliver RIOs; tariff packages

    MUMBAI: The fear of Friday the thirteenth seems to be coming true for registered multi system operators (MSOs) as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come out with two different directions for them today. And it has warned them that it is time for the stakeholders to buck up and act fast.

    The first direction issued today gives 118 registered MSOs just 10 days to submit their interconnection agreements entered with the broadcasters for re-transmission of channels on their cable networks in the Digital Addressable System (DAS) notified areas. Another direction, gives them seven days to submit the details of tariff packages along with the terms and conditions for supply and installation of the set top box (STB) to their subscribers.

    Of the 118 MSOs, a few well-known names that feature in the list are: Siti Cable Network, Seven Star Dot Com, Sagar E Technologies, Ortel Communication, Manthan Broadband, JAK Communications, IMCL, Hathway Cable & Datacom and Den Networks amongst others.

    “Every MSO, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997) and regulation 5, 8 & 9 of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) Regulation, 2012 (No. 9 of 2012), is required to have such interconnection agreement in DAS areas,” states the TRAI direction regarding interconnect agreement.

    According to regulation 5, it is mandatory for pay channel broadcasters to reduce the terms and conditions of the interconnection agreement into writing and deprive MSOs of their TV channel signals if no interconnect agreement is signed. Also, as per regulation 9, MSOs need to submit their interconnect agreement within the specified period to the authority.

    The TRAI direction had earlier said: “Every existing MSO shall submit to the authority by 31 July, 2012, all interconnect agreements entered into and amendments made therein prior to the date of notification of these regulations.”

    Regulation 8 gives power to the authority to intervene, inter alia, to protect the interest of the consumer and service provider. “The authority may, in order to protect the interest of the consumer or service provider or to promote and ensure orderly growth of the broadcasting and cable sector or for monitoring and ensuring compliance of these regulations, by order or direction, intervene, from time to time,” says the TRAI direction.

    With none of the MSOs so far caring to submit the tariff packages along with terms and conditions for supply and installations of STBs to their subscribers despite being ordered to do so under the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (fifth) (Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems) Tariff Order, 2013 (No. 1 of 2013) issued on 27 May, the regulator has now cracked the whip on them to follow it and submit the packages within seven days from today. 

     
    It is to be noted that clause 5 of the tariff order states that every MSO has to report to the authority by 15 June 2013, the details of all the tariff packages and other terms and conditions for supply and installation of the STBs. According to this order, “Any change in the tariff package reported under sub-clause (1) and the introduction of a new tariff package for supply and installation of STB shall be reported to the authority at least seven days prior to such change or introduction, as the case may be.”

  • TRAI asks Kolkata MSOs to start gross billing by next week

    TRAI asks Kolkata MSOs to start gross billing by next week

    KOLKATA: It was just last week that indiantelevision.com reported that Kolkata multi-system operators (MSOs) are likely to start the gross (consumer) billing process from 10 December following a directive by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

    Now, TRAI met the MSOs again on 6 December and has asked them to start the billing process by 15 December.

    Kolkata has around 30 lakh cable television homes. As of now, an informal billing process is in place, but with effect from November, customers may have to pay the bill as per the package. “Collection may come in the next two-three months,” said Siticable Kolkata director Suresh Sethia.

    “Billing for the November package will start by 15 December. We will also advertise in newspapers and on our local channels to make our consumers aware about this development,” added Sethia.

    Siticable has around 10-11 lakh STBs in Kolkata Digital Addressable System-I (DAS-I) area.

    Explaining the details of the bill payment process, one of the MSOs informed that if a customer has chosen a package of Rs 180, he will have to pay Rs 180 + Rs 10 (amusement tax) + 12.36 per cent of Rs 180 (service tax) in the coming time.

    The billing system will bring transparency and organise the business, however, some operators are opposing it.

    But, the view of the majority is that only digitalisation can bring uniformity and a system in the so-called unorganised sector. Manthan Broadband director Sudip Ghosh said, “Billing is the first step to inform consumers of the changed ecosystem in a digitised environment.”

  • DAS: Kolkata cable TV rates rise; consumers resist

    DAS: Kolkata cable TV rates rise; consumers resist

    KOLKATA: At a time when some cable television viewers in Kolkata are worried about their TV sets going blank for not filling up consumer application forms (CAF) from 24 August, some are worried as they have been rudely presented with a hike in subscription prices of between 30 per cent and 50 per cent, for watching their preferred TV channels.

    Hitherto, the monthly tab for cable TV subscribers was between Rs 150-Rs 180 but with digital DAS, the sticker prices are slated to escalate for the same number of channels as earlier, disclosed Cable Operators Digitalisation committee of the Association of Cable Operators convener Swapan Chowdhury said: “It can go high up to Rs 325 plus service tax which is 12.36 per cent at present,” he said.

    “Now customers will have to pay extra,” he agreed.

    City based cable operators said the basic package would start at Rs 180 and then with the choice of the channel and packages, it would be Rs180, Rs 230, Rs 280 and Rs 325 respectively exclusive of service tax, going forward.

    Apart from the increased monthly subscription fee, the consumers will have to bear another Rs 10 as amusement tax charged by the state government.

    Explaining the various packages, the operators said in the basic DAS packages, the consumer might just be offered one sports channel like DD Sports but on upgrading to the second package he might have access to Star Cricket and Sony Six apart from DD Sports. “But now if the person is interested to watch Ten Sports, ESPN among others, he will have to pay more and go for the higher package,” the operators added. Cable TV subscribers are already experiencing sticker price shock and have expressed their ire against it.

    City based cable operators said the basic package would start at Rs 180 and then with the choice of the channel and packages, it would be Rs180, Rs 230, Rs 280 and Rs 325 respectively exclusive of service tax, going forward.

    Apart from the increased monthly subscription fee, the consumers will have to bear another 10 per cent as amusement tax charged by the state government.

    Explaining the various packages, the operators said in the basic DAS packages, the consumer might just be offered one sports channel like DD Sports but on upgrading to the second package he might have access to Star Cricket and Sony Six apart from DD Sports. “But now if the person is interested to watch Ten Sports, ESPN among others, he will have to pay more and go for the higher package,” the operators added. Cable TV subscribers are already experiencing sticker price shock and have expressed their ire against it.

    A cable operator on the condition of anonymity said in Barrack pore subscribers not only protested the hike in rental but informed the local police authorities that they were being cheated and especially after the Saradha scam. Citing his meeting with the authorities as a ‘peculiar meeting’ he said he was ordered by the police not to charge a penny more than Rs 180 a month.

    While cable TV operators in Shyam Bazaar and north Kolkata vicinity said the customers who are paying Rs 120 every month at present, when asked to pay Rs 150, raised a hue and cry. “We really do not know how to explain things and convince people,” they said.

    “All new emerging delivery platforms like DTH use CAS. Which is going to happen in the case of cable TV too with the spread of digitisation and addressable systems. Subscribers will pay for only the channels they want to watch,” explains a cable operator.

    On the other hand, Manthan Broadband Services director Sudip Ghosh feels that with the implementation of the DAS package, the monthly tariffs are likely to be rationalised. “These have been streamlined in a way that the consumer will pay according to his channel consumption.”