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NAGPUR: Realizing that enforcing the July 10 deadline for submission of consumer application forms (CAFs) by cable viewers in non-metros cities will lead to utter chaos, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has unofficially decided to extend the deadline.
However, this should not prevent you from filling up the forms on priority basis. TRAI can ask your multi-system operator (MSO) to disable your set top box (STB) any day. More importantly, you should insist that the cable operator should allow you to mention the choice of channels in the form. Otherwise the very purpose would be defeated and you will end up paying more.
A TRAI official told TOI on Monday evening that the authority was monitoring the progress of CAF submission in all cities where digital accessible cable TV (DAS) has been introduced. "In Delhi 80% viewers have submitted their forms to their MSOs. We are not going to extend the deadline for remaining 20%. We are monitoring the progress of other cities and whenever we feel that a certain percentage of consumers in a particular city have submitted their forms, the rule will be enforced," the official said.
TOI pointed out to the official that cable operators were simply refusing to allow consumers to choose the channels. Many tell consumers that choice of channels need not be mentioned in the CAF. The official rued that there is no system for enforcement of the TRAI regulation. "Unfortunately, we don't have any mechanism to address individual complaints. Consumers must prevail over the cable operators and media should create awareness in this regard," he said.
On the other hand, Subhash Bante, a LCO, claimed that the government was trying to finish off the LCOs at the behest of pay channels and direct to home (DTH) operators. "Many MSOs own pay channels. This is cartelization. LCOs have moved the Supreme Court against it," he said.
Cable operators charging more: TRAI official
The TRAI official, who is in-charge of DAS, categorically stressed that cable operators cannot charge a flat Rs250 per month from consumers. "Even if packages are not decided, the bouquets should be decided at local level. Why should a person who watches only movies pay for sports channels," he asked. "Consumers need to mention their choice of channels in the CAF to avoid this," he added.
LCOs say it is not possible to offer bouquets to consumers until the MSOs finalized the package with the pay channels. Earlier, MSOs had said that the packages would be ready by June but now they say that it may take months.
If a person wanted to watched only 100 free channels, then MSO can't charge him more than Rs100 per month plus taxes. The operators are also supposed to offer a bouquet of 180 free and pay channels for Rs150 a month. In Maharashtra the total amount comes to Rs145 and Rs195 respectively.
Jagdish Paliya, director of UCN, however, justified the rates saying that the consumer would have to pay Rs450 per month if he watched the channels being offered by his company through DTH.
Cable TVs won't go blank after July 10 - Times Of India
.
However, this should not prevent you from filling up the forms on priority basis. TRAI can ask your multi-system operator (MSO) to disable your set top box (STB) any day. More importantly, you should insist that the cable operator should allow you to mention the choice of channels in the form. Otherwise the very purpose would be defeated and you will end up paying more.
A TRAI official told TOI on Monday evening that the authority was monitoring the progress of CAF submission in all cities where digital accessible cable TV (DAS) has been introduced. "In Delhi 80% viewers have submitted their forms to their MSOs. We are not going to extend the deadline for remaining 20%. We are monitoring the progress of other cities and whenever we feel that a certain percentage of consumers in a particular city have submitted their forms, the rule will be enforced," the official said.
TOI pointed out to the official that cable operators were simply refusing to allow consumers to choose the channels. Many tell consumers that choice of channels need not be mentioned in the CAF. The official rued that there is no system for enforcement of the TRAI regulation. "Unfortunately, we don't have any mechanism to address individual complaints. Consumers must prevail over the cable operators and media should create awareness in this regard," he said.
On the other hand, Subhash Bante, a LCO, claimed that the government was trying to finish off the LCOs at the behest of pay channels and direct to home (DTH) operators. "Many MSOs own pay channels. This is cartelization. LCOs have moved the Supreme Court against it," he said.
Cable operators charging more: TRAI official
The TRAI official, who is in-charge of DAS, categorically stressed that cable operators cannot charge a flat Rs250 per month from consumers. "Even if packages are not decided, the bouquets should be decided at local level. Why should a person who watches only movies pay for sports channels," he asked. "Consumers need to mention their choice of channels in the CAF to avoid this," he added.
LCOs say it is not possible to offer bouquets to consumers until the MSOs finalized the package with the pay channels. Earlier, MSOs had said that the packages would be ready by June but now they say that it may take months.
If a person wanted to watched only 100 free channels, then MSO can't charge him more than Rs100 per month plus taxes. The operators are also supposed to offer a bouquet of 180 free and pay channels for Rs150 a month. In Maharashtra the total amount comes to Rs145 and Rs195 respectively.
Jagdish Paliya, director of UCN, however, justified the rates saying that the consumer would have to pay Rs450 per month if he watched the channels being offered by his company through DTH.
Cable TVs won't go blank after July 10 - Times Of India
.
