TRAI defers date for NTO 2.0 implementation to November 30

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has deferred the date for the implementation of the new tariff regime to November 30, 2022.
TRAI on February 3 2022 directed all the broadcasters to report any change in name, nature, language, Maximum Retail Price (MRP) per month of channels, and composition and MRP of bouquets, as per the New Regulatory Framework 2020, by February 28 2022. 

Further, it directed all the Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) to report to the Authority, Distributor Retail Price (DRP) of pay channels and bouquets of pay channels and composition of bouquets of pay and free-to-air (FTA) channels, as per the New Regulatory Framework 2020, by 31st March 2022. Furthermore, it directed all the distributors to ensure that services to the subscribers, with effect from 01 st June 2022, are provided as per the bouquets or channels opted by them.
However, the TRAI received several representations from DPOs, associations of Local Cable Operators (LCOs) and consumer organizations, highlighting the difficulties likely to be faced by them in implementing the New Regulatory Framework 2020. On the basis of the said representations, the TRAI started engaging with the stakeholders through formal informal interactions.

Subsequently, a committee was constituted under the aegis of the TRAI, consisting of members from the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation, the All India Digital Cable Federation and DTH Association, to look into the process of smooth implementation of the provisions of the New Regulatory Framework 2020 keeping in view consumers benefit and suggest measures thereof, and to identify impediments with counter measures for overall growth of the broadcasting sector.

The committee listed several issues related to the New Regulatory Framework 2020 for consideration. The stakeholders also requested the Authority to immediately address critical issues so as to have smooth implementation of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff (Second Amendment) Order, 2020 (1 of 2020) dated the Olst January 2020.

Now, therefore, all the broadcasters shall report to the Authority, any change in name, nature, language, MRP per month of channels, and composition and MRP of bouquets of channels as per the New Regulatory Framework 2020, by 31st August 2022, and simultaneously publish such information on their websites. The broadcasters who have already submitted their RIOs in compliance of the New Regulatory Framework 2020 may also revise their RIOs by 31st August 2022.

Further, all DPOs shall report to the Authority, DRP of pay channels and bouquets of pay channels, and composition of bouquets of pay and FTA channels, as per the New Regulatory Framework 2020 by 30th September 2022 , and simultaneously publish such information on their websites. DPOs who have already submitted their RIOs in compliance of the New Regulatory Framework 2020 may also revise their RIOs by 30th September 2022. 

Furthermore, all the distributors of television channels shall ensure that services to the subscribers, with effect from November 30 2022, are provided as per the bouquets or channels opted by them.

Media
@adgully

News in the domain of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Business of Entertainment

More in Media