In a move to enhance the quality of service for Direct-To-Home (DTH) and cable TV services in non-CAS areas, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper on Monday seeking comments of the stakeholders by the month end.
After getting comments and suggestions, TRAI would set a regulatory framework for proper procedures, timelines for connections or disconnections or transfer of cable TV services, regulatory framework for the billing and effective mechanism for handling technical and billing related complaints as well as other sorts of grievances in non-CAS areas.
For DTH services, TRAI has sought for opinions on quality issues. ‘Whether the service providers broadcast all channels for what they are charging? Or ‘Are they asking extra charges on maintenance and visiting?’ The opinions regarding these issues would help TRAI to make guidelines in the interest of subscribers.
For ensuring the better service to cable TV and DTH subscribers and for better controlling over cable TV operators and DTH service providers, TRAI has also requested to Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry to broaden the scope of the existing district level monitoring committees so that it can be empowered enough to monitor the proposed quality regulations in non-CAS areas.
Moreover, TRAI has also asked the state government in written to make sure the effective monitoring and enforcement of the quality parameters, once the regulations are issued for non-CAS areas.
However, TRAI has also stated that the final recommendations would not be mandatory on operators, but it would work as guidelines on self-regulation basis as the earlier issued Quality of Service (QoS) parameters.
Describing the complexity in making it mandatory, TRAI has stated that the sector is highly fragmented and hence its implementation will be difficult on ground level. There are nearly 78 million consumers receiving cable TV services in non-CAS areas, served by about 60,000 cable operators, however, no normal regulations were issued taking the nature of the sector.
After issuing norms for non-CAS cable TV, TRAI assumes that it will help in achieving the objective of digitalisation and addressability in cable services at a faster pace without compromising the quality of service.
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