TRAI’s New Guidelines for DTH, No need to Pay for Multiple Connections

TRAI (The Telecom Regulatory Authority) of India has said no need to pay the network capacity fee (NCF) for the second or any subsequent TV connections in a household and DTH or cable providers can provide uniform discounts in a particular area. The clarification comes after several Direct-to-Home and cable Television users raised concerns over likely high expenditure due to multiple channels, the new broadcast framework which came into effective on February 1.

“The regulation does not prohibit the DTH or cable providers to offer discount or lower network capacity fee for 2nd or additional connections in same area. However, it may be fixed that such offer will be uniform in the target market area of respective T.V channel distributor and duly declared by the Distribution Platform Operator on their platform,” a TRAI statement said.

It also confirmed that the instruction provides a capping of Rs 130 as network capacity fee for 100 SD channels and Rs 20 for the slab of next 25 SD channels. “Pursuant to the same now few DTH or cable providers have started offering the discount or complete wave off of network capacity fee on 2nd or additional Television connection,” it said.

TRAI also said that an analysis of preliminary data of few Distribution Platform Operators shows subscribers in metros have saved 10-15 per cent and 5-10 per cent in non-metro other areas.

The consumer has complete freedom to choose the 100 SD channels within the NCF of Rs 130 (*Rental / capacity fee of Rs.130/- as charged by cable / DTH operator may apply. **GST extra.)