Independent TV customers have been in jeopardy for nearly two months now as the company has stopped providing services to them because of unpaid dues to the satellite service provider. Antrix Corporation, which is the satellite service provider to Independent TV, has pulled off from providing signals to the DTH operator over unpaid dues of around Rs 12 crore. Having said that, Independent TV has fought hard and it's all set to resume operations by August 15. In a new post issued by Independent TV, the DTH operator confirmed that it's working hard towards continuing operations by August 15 and also re-assured the customers of providing a full refund for the period of entire disconnection. For the unaware, Independent TV will be resuming operations as ITV 2.0 by August 15.
Independent TV to Resume Operations as ITV 2.0 by August 15
Independent TV is not a big DTH operator like Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV, but the company is one of the major service providers in some of the Northern regions. Independent TV, right now, has over 80,000 subscribers and it may soon reach one lakh subscriber base after resuming operations as ITV 2.0. In a new tweet, Independent TV mentioned as " Dear Customers, Team Independent TV is working to relaunch operations by August 15, 2019. Efforts to comply with various directives of Government are underway to meet the stated objectives. Due credit will be given to customers, for the period of disconnection in their wallets, when the service resumes. We regret the inconvenience being caused to each of you and grateful for your patience and understanding."
Independent TV Website Comes Back Online
Making things worse, Independent TV even took its website offline, which of course didn't go well with the customers of the operator. Last month, Independent TV announced that it's going to refund the amount back to customers for the disconnection, but right after this announcement, Independent TV's website was taken offline. So consumers were unable to apply for a refund. Nevertheless, the website is now back online and Independent TV users can log into the consumer portal to claim the refund.
TDSAT Orders Independent TV to Clear Dues to Antrix Corporation
Independent TV had to disconnect services to the customers owing to a battle with its satellite signal provider Antrix Corporation. For the unaware, Independent TV had to pay Rs 12 crore to its satellite service provider, but the operator failed to do so. The matter was taken to TDSAT and Trai as well. Late in July, the TDSAT ordered Independent TV to clear dues worth Rs 12 crore to Antrix Corporation for resuming the services. The TDSAT ordered Independent TV to either submit Rs 12 crores worth of bank guarantees or pay Rs 5,83 crores in cash and Rs 6 crores worth as bank guarantees for which the DTH operator agreed, and it's currently in the process of submitting the bank guarantees.
