New Tariff Regime: Some glitches remain as Feb 1 deadline approaches

With roughly 10 days remaining before the deadline for migrating to the new tariff regime mandated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) ends, the Authority has dug in its heals to ensure that the distribution platform operators (DPOs) stick to the deadline. 

TRAI has made it clear that no further extension would be given to implement the new tariff structure and added that DPOs who fail to complete the process on time would face blackout from February 1, 2019. 

The NBA has also urged TRAI not to grant any further extension of time beyond January 31, 2019 for migration to the new tariff regime. 

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Tata Sky is yet to implement the new tariff plans. So far there has been no communication from the DTH service provider to its subscriber to shift to the new channel MRPs as announced by the broadcasters. TRAI has asked DPOs to dedicate channel No. 999 to give information regarding new channel pack rates by different broadcasters. However, Tata Sky has not activated such a channel so far. 

According to media reports, Tata Sky and Bharti Telemedia has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against the TRAI mandate tariff structure. The hearing in this case is scheduled for January 23, 2019. 

Meanwhile, in a statement to The Times of India, TRAI Chairman RS Sharma maintained that cable TV tariffs will decrease significantly once the new tariff structure is implemented from February 1.