The notified amendments said that the ceilings of Rs 130 for 200 channels and Rs 160 for more than 200 channels in Network Capacity Fee (NCF) have been removed and “remained in tolerance to be market driven and also equitable.”
The service provider can now charge different NCF based on the number of channels, different regions, different classes of customers or any combination of these.
“DPOs have now been allowed to offer discounts of up to 45 per cent while forming their bouquets to allow them flexibility in bouquet formation and offer attractive offers to consumers. Earlier, this discount was only allowed up to 15 per cent,” TRAI said.
With the proliferation of HD televisions and to encourage the transmission of high definition content, “the distinction between HD and SD channels has been eliminated for transport tariff purposes.”
According to TRAI, a pay channel available without subscription fee on the DTH platform of the public service broadcaster must be declared free by the channel broadcaster for all addressable distribution platforms, also to have a field level of game.
"DPOs are mandated to declare the rates for their platform services," the regulatory body said.
The key objective of these amendments is to facilitate the growth of the broadcasting sector by reducing regulatory mandates and compliance requirements and providing flexibility to service providers to adopt a market-driven approach, while safeguarding the interests of consumers. and small actors through transparency, accountability and equity.
These amendments, except for some clauses, will come into force 90 days after their publication in the Official Gazette, the TRAI informed.
In 2017, TRAI had notified the Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting and Cable Services.
The framework was further adapted to the needs of the broadcasting ecosystem and to address stakeholder concerns through amendments issued in 2020 and 2022.
Other issues had been raised by interested parties (broadcasters, MSOs, DTH operators and LCOs) for consideration by the Authority from time to time.
To address these issues, the Authority published a consultation document in 2023 to solicit feedback from interested parties.
The service provider can now charge different NCF based on the number of channels, different regions, different classes of customers or any combination of these.
“DPOs have now been allowed to offer discounts of up to 45 per cent while forming their bouquets to allow them flexibility in bouquet formation and offer attractive offers to consumers. Earlier, this discount was only allowed up to 15 per cent,” TRAI said.
With the proliferation of HD televisions and to encourage the transmission of high definition content, “the distinction between HD and SD channels has been eliminated for transport tariff purposes.”
According to TRAI, a pay channel available without subscription fee on the DTH platform of the public service broadcaster must be declared free by the channel broadcaster for all addressable distribution platforms, also to have a field level of game.
"DPOs are mandated to declare the rates for their platform services," the regulatory body said.
The key objective of these amendments is to facilitate the growth of the broadcasting sector by reducing regulatory mandates and compliance requirements and providing flexibility to service providers to adopt a market-driven approach, while safeguarding the interests of consumers. and small actors through transparency, accountability and equity.
These amendments, except for some clauses, will come into force 90 days after their publication in the Official Gazette, the TRAI informed.
In 2017, TRAI had notified the Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting and Cable Services.
The framework was further adapted to the needs of the broadcasting ecosystem and to address stakeholder concerns through amendments issued in 2020 and 2022.
Other issues had been raised by interested parties (broadcasters, MSOs, DTH operators and LCOs) for consideration by the Authority from time to time.
To address these issues, the Authority published a consultation document in 2023 to solicit feedback from interested parties.
