TRAI's New Tariff: More channels will be available at a lower price, free channels will not cost more than Rs. 160 / month

HIGHLIGHTS: TRAI on Wednesday introduced a new regulatory framework for cable and broadcasting services. Under this, cable TV subscribers will be able to watch more channels at a lower cost.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday introduced a new regulatory framework for cable and broadcasting services to protect consumer interests. Under this, cable TV subscribers will be able to watch more channels at a lower cost. The special thing is that the regulator has fixed the monthly fee limit of Rs 160 for all 'free to air' channels by consumers.

TRAI said in a statement that houses with multiple TVs ie where more than one TV connection is in the name of one person, there will be a maximum of 40 percent of the declared network capacity charge (NCF) for other and additional TV connections.

Mandatory channels will not come under NCF

After reviewing various provisions, TRAI has reduced the maximum NCF fee (excluding tax) to Rs 130 for 200 channels. Apart from this, the regulator has decided that the channels that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has declared mandatory will not be counted in the number of NCF channels.

Discount will be available on long term subscription

Apart from this, TRAI has also allowed distribution platform operators (DPOs) to give concession on long term i.e. six months or more subscriptions. TRAI has said that the a-la-carte rates of paid channels included in a pack will not exceed one and a half times the rate of that pack in any case.

In any case, the MRP of a paid channel included in a pack will not be more than three times the average rate of the pay channel included in the pack. TRAI has also decided that only channels with MRP of Rs 12 or less will be allowed to be included in such packs, which broadcasters recommend.

Source: Web