Breaking News: TRAI asks DTH operators to provide interoperability of STBs
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10-12-2013, 08:53 PM
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TRAI asks DTH operators to provide interoperability of STBs
MUMBAI: In September this year, the licence of India’s oldest DTH provider Dish TV was to expire after a period of 10 years and then there was no provision for an extension. On 1 October the regulator came out with a consultation paper and on 14 November it issued a supplementary paper.
With the last date to provide feedback approaching, TRAI had an open house discussion (OHD) on 9 December with the leading DTH providers give suggestions on the consultation and supplementary papers released by TRAI. During the OHD, TRAI chairman Rahul Khullar said that set top boxes (STBs) should be inter-operable for the end consumer, either commercially or technically. He also told operators that the viewers should have the option to use the same STBs if they wished to change their service provider. But if operators found it to be a challenging prospect then they should be given an option of returning the STBs to their provider in exchange for money that could help them buy a new one. [IMG]Guests cannot see images and links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking Register Here to see images.[/IMG] OR Login to view. The Information and Broadcasting (I & B) Ministry had directed TRAI to set up new guidelines for obtaining DTH licenses in India. The OHD between TRAI and DTH players was to frame new recommendations regarding the same. During the OHD, DTH operators were asked to give views on issues such as entry fee and quantum thereof, licence fee, conditions governing cross holdings and period of extension. Representatives from the industry said that new licences should be given for a reasonably long duration and the government should have the power to cancel these if operators violate rules. Khullar conveyed to operators that once the new licence rules come into effect, they will have two options: one, to either continue under their earlier terms and conditions till their licence expires or two, to change to the new system. Khullar has told DTH operators that they can submit any additional points till Friday. |
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The following 1 user Likes SARAVANA RAMESH's post: Neels |
11-12-2013, 04:13 PM
Post: #2
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RE: TRAI asks DTH operators to provide interoperability of STBs
NEW DELHI: Inter-operability of set-top boxes (STBs) and cross-media holding remained talking points at the open house discussion convened by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) here with reference to the new licensing policy for the direct-to-home (DTH) sector.
Stressing the need for providing the option of inter-operability to consumers, TRAI chairman Rahul Khullar said that the DTH operators should provide either commercial or technical inter-operability of STBs to their subscribers. Khullar maintained that either the STB should be technically inter-operable, i.e. if a subscriber wishes to change their service provider, they can do so by using the same box; or the operator should buy back the box and give refunds to the customer, which should be enough for them to buy another box. He also said that with a migratory fee, DTH operators will have the option to either migrate to the new regime or remain under existing terms till the expiry of their licence. TRAI has already come up with a follow-up consultation paper on DTH licensing and has sought stakeholders’ comments by this Friday. It has proposed that the licence fee for DTH services be charged at 8 per cent of the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) and exclude service and sales tax, as opposed to[Editor1] an annual fee equivalent to 10 per cent of their fiscal gross revenues. The regulator has also suggested that the definition of ‘control’ be more comprehensive, as it is not enough to just prescribe a 20 per cent cross-holding cap between DTH, broadcasting and TV channel distribution entities. During the open house, stakeholders raised their points regarding these issues seeking clarity and redefining. TRAI has to give recommendations for framing new guidelines for obtaining DTH licence. The previous guidelines provided for issue of licence were for 10 years with no provision for an extension or a renewal. So, when Dish TV’s licence came up for renewal, an interim arrangement was made and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (MIB) asked TRAI to draft the new guidelines. During the discussion, when asked about entry fee and period of extension of the DTH licence, DTH operators demanded a 20-year licence term. They argued that the term should be reasonably long and that in case of violation of any rules by any operator, the government has the power to cancel its licence. Read more at: http://www.televisionpost.com/dth/inter-...pen-house/ | TelevisionPost.com |
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