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20 for every 25 extra channels. For roll out awareness programmes on so- (SD) channels and 20 for the next 25
instance, if you pay 150, excluding GST, cial media as well as advertise about the SD channels.
you get access to 125 channels. same. However, as per a CRISIL report,
With this, the Telecom Regulatory Additionally, TRAI also clarified that TRAI’s new regime is likely to cost a
Authority of India’s new regulatory network capacity fee (NCF) is not man- customer more than what they were
regime for cable operators and DTH datory for subscribers with multiple paying earlier. According to the report,
companies has come into play from the connections. It also clarified that the the monthly bill can go up 25 per cent
month of February 2019. The new rules regulation also provides a capping of from 230-240 to 300 for consum-
seek to make it easier for customers 130 as NCF for 100 standard definitions ers who will subscribe to the top ten
to choose what they wish to watch on
television, and pay only for the chan-
nels that they prefer, rather than be
bound by packs decided by the cable
operator or DTH company. It also
appears that despite TRAI’s directive
of a smooth rollout, some customers of
Airtel DTH did face a black out of their
TV channels. It is learnt that the cost of
paid channels will be extra in your bill.
It will be 130 (NCF) + price of paid chan-
nels + 18 per cent GST.
Switching from the earlier modes
to the new tariff guidelines by Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
has not been an easy affair for the cus-
tomers and service providers. However,
TRAI has said that the move to the new
mode is halfway through with 90 mil-
lion homes — 65 million cable TV and
25 million DTH users — registering
their choice with the operators.
The new tariff regime was imple-
mented on February 1, before which
the regulators had urged subscribers
to take their pick of the channels on
offer. The new tariff regime has been
brought about with an intention of
reducing subscription bills for TV and
DTH connections. However, consumers
are still splitting hairs on whether that
has been fulfilled. Though the new channels in terms of viewership. If one
“Out of the total 170 million TV framework, as per chooses the top five channels, then the
homes (which includes 70 million bill would be less.
DTH homes and 100 million cable TV TRAI, enables the You will have the option of choosing
homes), about 90 million homes have subscribers to pay HD or SD channel when creating your
already registered their choice with pack. However one HD channel will
the operators, which is a big number. for what they wish count as 2 SD channels in your pack.
According to TRAI’s new rules, sub- to view but So if you have chosen 10 HD channels
scribers will have to choose their own in your list of 100, then it will actually
monthly channels or packs. It has not ‘non-exercise of the be 80 channels, because 10HD=20SD
been a seamless process as it left a lot option’ should not channels. Eventually a subscriber ends
of people wondering how to make the up paying more than what he or she
switch, or what the selection process is create them any has currently been paying.
or the amount that’s required to be paid.
The regulator then said that they would inconvenience letters@tehelka.com

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