TDSAT orders Kerala MSO to restore broadcaster’s signals

The Telecom Disputes Settlement Tribunal (TDSAT) as an ex-parte ad-interim relief has directed Kerala Communications Cable Ltd to immediately restore the signals of Star India channels to its subscribers in terms of the Subscription Licence Agreement dated February 22, 2023.

In its order, TDSAT said that “This restoration of signals of Star channels shall be carried out within 24 hours. This ex-parte ad-interim relief shall remain operative till the next date of hearing.”

The counsel appearing for petitioner Star India insisted for ad-interim relief, submitting that no notice had been given by the respondent (Kerala Communications Cable Ltd) either to the petitioner or to the down-stream subscribers before discontinuing all the channels of Star India (except Asianet channel).

While stating that “contentious issues” had been raised in Star India’s petition, TDSAT said, “It is also submitted by the counsel for the petitioner that there are gross violations by the respondent of the Interconnect Regulations, 2017 as mentioned in the memo of this petition, especially regulation 10(21) of the Interconnect Regulations, 2017, and there is also a violation of an agreement between the parties to this litigation [Subscription Licence Agreement dated 22.02.2023].”