The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) introduced the new pricing mandate for the DTH providers and broadcasters back in 2017. However, the rule came into effect in December 2018. After the implementation of the tariff rule, there has been a struggle going on the industry for the migration of the subscribers to the Trai based plans. All parties including the DTH providers, MSOs, local cable operators have been working to aware the subscribers about the new changes. Although many subscribers have made the switch, there are still subscribers who have not made any channel selection. The deadline to transition to these channels was extended to February 1, 2019, however, seeing the situation of the subscribers, Trai has extended the deadline further to March 31, 2019.
MSOs Meet With Trai on 11th February 2019
As per a new press release by Trai, the authority has extended the deadline to March 31 to migrate to the new Trai based plans. Notably, Trai had convened a meeting of the Multi System Operators (MSOs) in the Trai office on February 11. In the meeting, the authorities talked about reaching all the subscribers regarding switching to the new Trai based plans, whereas the MSOs assured Trai that they are making all the efforts to reach out as many subscribers as possible in the given period. Further, the MSOs also emphasised that in the migration process no inconvenience will be caused to the subscribers.
DPOs to Develop Best Fit Plans for Subscribers Using Older Plans
Another development in the meeting concerned the curation of ‘Best Fit Plans’ which the Trai urged every DPO to create. Trai said that DPOs should work to curate ‘Best Fit Plans’ for the subscribers which would closely resemble their existing plans and would also be aligned with their viewing habits, language and genres. Trai also said that the rental for the ‘Best Fit Plan’ which the DPOs curate should also not exceed the rental which the subscribers are paying currently. In the meeting, Trai also said DPOs should continue to provide various user-friendly methods to subscribers to exercise their choice which include personal contact by Local Cable Operator, calling on Call Centre Number, using Mobile Apps or through Website.
Trai also said that the subscribers who have not yet exercised the option of channel selection would be migrated to the ‘Best Fit Plans’. Further, the subscribers will have till March 31 to switch from the Best Fit Plan to their own customised selection. The regulator added that when the subscriber makes their selection via the operator’s website or through the app, then their channel selection should be activated within 72 hours.
