NTO 3.0 case: AIDCF's writs against TRAI order dismissed by Kerala HC

The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has faced a setback as it challenges the amendments made in 2022 to the Telecom Regulatory Authority’s (TRAI) regulations and tariff order regarding channel pricing.

In its latest order, the Kerala High Court has dismissed the writ petitions filed by AIDCF challenging the amendments.

Appearing in a hearing in February 2023, Senior Counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the AIDCF, had argued that that the move has affected 4.8 crore consumers.

Senior advocate Jayant Mehta, who also represented the petitioners, contented that the price is hurting the consumer. He said that the TRAI “is sleeping like Nero, capitulating to the demands of the broadcasters”.

The lawyer contended that ‘irrational channel pricing’ will lead to erosion of subscriber, which will eventually make the operations of local cable operators unviable.

The Kerala HC then directed AIDCF to file a rejoinder in the NTO 3.0 case, giving it a week’s time.

As reported earlier, the tussle between broadcasters and cable operators ended, at least for now, with the AIDCF members agreeing to sign inter-connection agreements. This was after the AIDCF failed to obtain an interim stay from the Kerala High Court against the new pricing regime.