The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has started a review of the broadcast tariff system which implemented 8 months ago, after lots of complaints of increased TV viewing budget and a large number of complaints about the difficulty of choosing channels. Experts said that the goal of the review is to make the choice of channels easier and also to reduce the price. The regulator has also reprimanded broadcasters and cable operators for misuse of new rules to increase revenue and eliminate consumers' choices.
TRAI releases Consultation Paper on Review of Scope of Infrastructure Providers Category-I (IP-I) Registration.https://t.co/6D2mwtt9A1https://t.co/vlCNadRGWb— TRAI (@TRAI) August 16, 2019
TRAI released a detailed consultation paper on Friday, asking 30 questions. It asks whether channel bouquet should be allowed? Should discounts be re-considered within the bouquet offered to consumers? And should the ceiling in the bouquet be reviewed for the ceiling price (currently Rs 19)?
Earlier the same viewers were getting 100+ FTA channels and other channels at Rs.99 only. Most of DTH services were offering this pack including Dish TV, Videocon D2h and Airtel Digital TV.
For example, if earlier a viewer want to watch only one pay channel then the monthly cost was Rs.99+17 = 116 monthly
But after implementation of TRAI new rule, all the DTH services and broadcasters increased the prices of pay-TV channels. Now monthly budget coming for the same channels as below
Minimum payable amount Rs.154 which called NCF charge (Network Capacity Fees) + 19 for the pay channel. So now the consumer is paying for the single pay channel Rs.130+19 (TAX) = 175.82 monthly.
It means if anyone wants to watch only single pay channel then have to pay Rs.175
Earlier the same consumer getting lots of pay channel and FTA channels in Rs.180 monthly basic packs.
So that's why the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has started a review of the broadcast tariff system after lots of consumer complaints.
