08-07-2010, 08:47 AM
The Supreme Court on Friday asked various stakeholders, including Set Discovery and Zee Turner, to file objections on broadcast regulator Trai's proposal to cap cable TV charges at Rs 250 per month across the country in non-CAS areas.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had last week sought the apex court's permission to fix a ceiling of Rs 250 per month on the retail tariff charged by local cable operators from consumers in non Conditional Access System areas.
Currently, the broadcasters are charging the price from the Multi System Operators (MSOs) based on the whole-sale tariff system.
A bench headed by Justice P Sathasivam asked the stakeholders to file objections to the Trai's recommendations.
In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, Trai had submitted that it was considering limiting the monthly cable charge to Rs 100 per month for a minimum of 30 free-to-air channels.
It also planned ceiling on monthly cable charge at Rs 250 for a basic package with more than 20 pay channels.
Besides, for those subscribers opting for a basic package (includes Doordarshan channels) with up to 20 pay channels, the monthly bill will be fixed at Rs 200, it said, adding customers choosing a basic package with over 20 pay channels will have to pay Rs 250 per month.
The proposal came pursuant to the apex court granting time till June-end to the regulator to work out a fresh tariff regime for cable services in general cable TV (non-CAS) areas, based on a classification of cities and the number of pay channels provided.
The regulator in its affidavit said, "... A retail price ceiling at a reasonable level that balances the consumers' interest with the growth potential of the industry is warranted in the case of cable TV services in non-CAS markets."
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had last week sought the apex court's permission to fix a ceiling of Rs 250 per month on the retail tariff charged by local cable operators from consumers in non Conditional Access System areas.
Currently, the broadcasters are charging the price from the Multi System Operators (MSOs) based on the whole-sale tariff system.
A bench headed by Justice P Sathasivam asked the stakeholders to file objections to the Trai's recommendations.
In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, Trai had submitted that it was considering limiting the monthly cable charge to Rs 100 per month for a minimum of 30 free-to-air channels.
It also planned ceiling on monthly cable charge at Rs 250 for a basic package with more than 20 pay channels.
Besides, for those subscribers opting for a basic package (includes Doordarshan channels) with up to 20 pay channels, the monthly bill will be fixed at Rs 200, it said, adding customers choosing a basic package with over 20 pay channels will have to pay Rs 250 per month.
The proposal came pursuant to the apex court granting time till June-end to the regulator to work out a fresh tariff regime for cable services in general cable TV (non-CAS) areas, based on a classification of cities and the number of pay channels provided.
The regulator in its affidavit said, "... A retail price ceiling at a reasonable level that balances the consumers' interest with the growth potential of the industry is warranted in the case of cable TV services in non-CAS markets."
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