TRAI has not carried out any assessment on impact of NTO 2.0 on DD Free Dish: I&B min

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has not carried out any assessment on the impact of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) new tariff order (NTO) 2.0 on the public broadcaster Prasar Bharati’s free DTH platform DD Free Dish.

This information was provided by I&B minister Prakash Javadekar in response to a question by Congress MP Manish Tewari.

“No such assessment has been conducted by TRAI,” Javadekar said in response to the question whether TRAI has conducted an assessment of how regulations issued on 01 January 2020 impact the growth and popularity of Doordarshan’s Free Dish platform.

The I&B minister further stated that the main objectives of the regulatory framework are to establish harmonised business process in the sector, ensure level playing field, bring in transparency in TV channel pricing, reduce litigations among stakeholders and provide equal opportunities to smaller Multi System Operators (MSOs).

He also noted that TRAI notified the regulatory framework on 3rd March 2017 for Broadcasting and Cable Services after due consultation with the stakeholders.

In order to address the issues faced by the consumers, while balancing the interest of broadcasters as well as the Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) to create a level playing field, TRAI, after due consultation with the stakeholders, issued amendments to the regulatory framework for Broadcasting and Cable Services Sector on 01.01.2020, he stated.

TRAI has informed that Network Capacity Fee (NCF) has been rationalised. Prior to 1.1.2020, the NCF was Rs. 130 per month for 100 SD Channels. By the 1.1.2020 amendment, for the same amount (Rs. 130), a subscriber is eligible for 200 SD Channels. If the subscriber intends to subscribe for more than 200 SD Channels, the NCF would be a maximum of Rs. 160.

It is pertinent to note that the NTO 2.0 has been challenged by all three stakeholders before different High Courts. The broadcasters and local cable operators (LCOs) have challenged NTO 2.0 before the Bombay High Court. The orders have been reserved in both cases.

The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the apex body of MSOs, challenged the new regulations before Kerala High Court, which has stayed the clause relating to placing of channels on Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) in the new tariff order (NTO) 2.0.

In the case of other NTO 2.0 provisions challenged by the AIDCF, the HC has directed the federation to make a detailed representation to the TRAI following which the regulator will have to arrive at a decision on the same.

The AIDCF had contended that the EPG and the LCN are its properties and the TRAI is over-regulating by mandating that a channel LCN cannot be changed in perpetuity.