Forbearance is the need of the hour: IBF

Member channels of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), the apex body of broadcasters in the country, presented a unanimous viewpoint during the open house discussion on “Tariff Issues related to Commercial Subscribers” conducted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) here on Tuesday.

At the outset, the Foundation welcomed the open house initiative held under the stewardship of new TRAI Chairman Mr. Ram Sewak Sharma so as to take forward the consultation process the regulator had begun on 14 July 2015.

The issues discussed included the differentiation between domestic and commercial subscribers for provision of TV signals, the criteria for drawing distinction between ordinary subscribers and commercial subscribers, tariff framework both at wholesale and ​ retail levels, transparency and accountability in value chain to effectively minimize disputes and conflicts among stakeholders and engagement of broadcasters in the determination of retail tariffs for commercial subscribers.

Commenting on the deliberations, IBF President Uday Shankar said:

“It is inconceivable that any sector regulator would actually equate five star hotels and commercial establishments with domestic consumers as far as tariffs are concerned. But that’s exactly what TRAI has done with rates for pay TV channels. I am not sure what exactly the regulator is trying to achieve with the present dispensation, i.e. five star hotels availing TV content at subsidized rates especially when they charge a leg and arm for a room, a meal or even a bottle of water? It appears to be a case of misguided regulatory zeal. I hope better sense prevails and the regulator does what is in the interest of its primary stakeholders, i.e. broadcasters and distribution platforms and not five star and four star hotels.”