- TRAI has permitted consumers to avail of 200 channels at NCF of Rs. 130
- Multi-TV connections will be priced 40 percent of the declared NCF
- DTH operators want to publish updated prices by January 30
TRAI’s altered terms of the administrative framework will get into force DTH users starting March 1, 2020.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday altered its regulatory structure for cable and broadcasting services planning to address some of the main concerns for consumers.
The new acts, which come as an update to the DTH framework declared back in March 2017, include the extra number of channels for the same Network Capacity Fee (NCF) of Rs. 130 and ceiling on a-la-carte channel pricing.
There is also some respite for consumers with many TV connections. Further, the regulator has authorized distribution platform operators (DPOs) including cable TV operators and DTH providers to grant discounts on long-term subscriptions.
NCF Changes in Modernized TRAI DTH Tariff Laws
One of the important differences that the TRAI has altered to its regulatory framework is the capacity to let consumers access several channels at the same NCF.
The regulator earlier permitted consumers to avail of the first 75 pay SD channels and 25 mandatory Doordarshan channels at an NCF of Rs. 130 (excluding taxes).
The regulator has also not explained whether the 200 channels count would include the necessary Doordarshan channels.
The amendments make include that the channels necessary by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will not be included in the number of channels in the NCF.
Moreover, likely, there won’t be any modifications to the NCF for HD channels. This suggests operators may continue to consider one HD channel into place for two SD channels for the NCF.
Multi-TV connections growing more Resonable
In addition to the primary NCF changes, the TRAI has directed operators to charge a maximum of 40 percent of the reported NCF for the second and additional TV connections.
This shows that consumers with multiple TV connections would be able to avail services at a limited NCF charge. Operators such as Tata Sky earlier priced full NCF on secondary attachments.
Long-Term Packages can be Cut
A huge number of consumers were used to prefer long-term subscription methods to avail some discounts in history, but the recent changes to the framework affected these discounts.
This would support you to pay discounted prices for long-term subscription packs in the future.
Updated Price for the Free-To-Air Channel
Cable TV operators and DTH providers have to been mandated that they won’t charge higher than Rs. 160 per month (which is the base NCF + taxes) for providing all the free-to-air channels accessible on their portfolios.
Service providers including cable TV operators and DTH firms have also been conducted to publish updated Distributor Retail Price (DRP) of a-la-carte channels and bouquets on their websites of January 30.
