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Tag: trai tariff regime

  • Bombay, Telangana HCs yet to decide on TRAI tariff cases

    Bombay, Telangana HCs yet to decide on TRAI tariff cases

    MUMBAI: Cases have been filed in various courts across the country and while the Calcutta High Court has vacated the stay on the case and the Gujarat High Court has asked for a response from TRAI, the Bombay and Telangana courts are yet to decide on similar petitions.

    The Telangana HC reserved judgment on a case filed by local cable operators who said that the regulations are arbitrary. The Pune Cable Operators Association went ahead and challenged TRAI as well, asking for a stay on the lines of the Calcutta High Court order. The bench, however, asked them to submit a copy of the order and refused to provide relief.

    The Madras High Court dismissed the PIL against the TRAI tariff order last week by quoting the Supreme Court judgment that went in favour of the regulator late last year.

    On 14 January, a similar case before the Kerala High Court was also dismissed which related to the revenue sharing aspect as well.

    LCOs all over the country are up in arms against some suggestions that have been made in the new tariff regime by TRAI that came into effect from 1 February. After TRAI won the case against Star India in October, the regulator gave the industry time till December end to put things into action. This was later extended to 31 January which was confirmed to the last date and no more extensions would be granted beyond that.

    Two days ago, TRAI claimed that all the stakeholders were ready with the new regime’s requirements. It also praised itself for ensuring that a large number of customers had exercised their options.

  • TRAI claims stakeholders ready as new tariff regime kicks in

    TRAI claims stakeholders ready as new tariff regime kicks in

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) states that it has held meetings with MSOs, DTH operators and HITS operators over the course of the last few weeks, the last being on 31 January, and all of them have confirmed that they are ready to migrate to the new tariff regime from 1 February 2019.

    Lauding its own efforts, TRAI said that a large number of subscribers have exercised their options and their choices have been recorded by service providers which must be processed on priority basis. For those who have not yet chosen, a smooth migration plan needs to be made and their choices must be taken from a variety of means such as mobile apps, SMS, website or direct communication through LCOs.

    Answering a question on additional TV connections by a customer, the TRAI directed them to follow the rules of Rs 130 as network fee for 100 SD channels and slabs of 25 channels with a cap of Rs 20. Any other discounts can be made within these caps but need to be uniform in the market.

    TRAI reiterated that consumers are free to choose both FTA and pay channels on a-la-carte or combination and any forceful measures on the end of the provider must be brought to the authority’s notice.

    The release also states: “Subscribers may note that the new regime empowers them to change their choices whenever they desire with maximum lock-in period of one month. The subscribers can always request their DPOs to modify their selection even after choosing any package at present.”

  • Madras HC dismisses PIL against TRAI tariff order

    Madras HC dismisses PIL against TRAI tariff order

    MUMBAI: After the Supreme Court verdict that went in favour of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s tariff scheme, the Madras High Court has dismissed a petition challenging this 2017 order.

    A news item by the Press Trust of India said that the bench consisting of justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad also upheld the deadline of 31 January which was an extension by TRAI to the broadcast industry to finalise necessary arrangements for implementing the new tariff regime from 1 February.

    Dismissing the PIL, the HC quoted part of the Supreme Court judgment by stating that TRAI could not only regulate operations but also lay down terms and conditions for providing services. The report mentioned the HC as stating: “It cannot be said that TRAI has been acting hastily or implementing its directions in a hurried manner, without taking into account the interest of all the participants.”

    The Supreme Court’s verdict came on 30 October and from 1 February the new tariff scheme where consumers will get to decide their channels is to commence.