The
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had in January issued new tariff
rules where cable operators and DTH (direct-to-home) providers, that are
together known as distribution platform operators (DPOs), were to charge
consumers for only those channels that were chosen.
For those who are not aware, the new TRAI
rules require, that the user should go to the official website, app of their
cable or DTH operator, and then choose their channels. Users can get 100 channels
for a Network Capacity Fee (NCF) of Rs 130 per month + 18 per cent GST, which
brings it to Rs 153 in total.
Last
December, Trai mandated that customers must pay for only those channels that
they choose to see, leading to all channels getting priced individually. The
rules came into effect from February 1, this year. Now, channels cannot be
priced more than Rs 19, if part of a bouquet of channels.
While
announcing these numbers and email id, TRAI said, “In case any DTH / Cable
Operator is insisting on predefined pack or bouquets without providing real
choices, subscribers may report the same at Trai call centre 0120 – 6898689 or
e-mail at das@trai.gov.in.”