TRAI pushes back NTO 2.0 implementation date yet again, Feb 2023 is new deadline

Keeping in view the ongoing consultation process and requests received from the stakeholders for extension of timelines for implementation of New Regulatory Framework 2020 (NTO 2.0), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has decided to extend the deadline for implementing NTO 2.0 to February 28, 2023.

All broadcasters are required to 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 November 30, 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 November 30, 2022.

Further, all DPOs have been directed to 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 December 31, 2022 , and simultaneously publish such information on their websites. DPOs who have already submitted their RIOs in compliance of the New Regulatory Framework 2020 can also revise their RIOs by December 31, 2022.

TRAI had issued a Consultation Paper on ‘Issues related to New Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting and Cable services’ on May 7, 2022, wherein it had asked all stakeholders to file their comments by May 30, 2022 and counter-comments by June 6, 2022.

However, on request received from the stakeholders, the last date for submission of comments & counter-comments on the above-mentioned consultation paper was further extended up to June 6, 2022 and June 13, 2022, respectively.

An Open House Discussion (OHD) on the above-mentioned consultation paper, which was scheduled to be held on July 21, 2022, has now been scheduled on September 8, 2022.

As reported earlier, TRAI, vide letter dated June 1, 2022, had directed all the broadcasters to report to the Authority, 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 August 31, 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 September 30, 2022. Furthermore, it directed all the distributors to ensure that services to the subscribers, with effect from November 30, 2022, are provided as per the bouquets or channels opted by them.