Customer empowered or confused? TRAI chairman backs new DTH, Cable TV rules amid rising complaints

It has been about a month since new DTH, Cable TV rules were rolled out at the behest of TRAI, apparently giving consumers more power to pay for and subscribe to individual channels. While the initial public reaction to the new system was mostly negative, the problems with the implementation haven’t been resolved yet. RS Sharma, TRAI chairman, clarifies the need and the timing of the new rules and backed the rulings.

“The customer is king. And the king has a good life, but only when he is allowed to rule,” RS Sharma wrote in The Indian Express. Comparing broadcasting and distribution with restaurant and food delivery services, he drives the point home that a consumer should pay for only what she wishes rather than “full meal which is pre-configured with a limited set of options,” and “if you only want two of the seven items in the thali, you should have the option to order those without having to pay more than the thali itself.”