TRAI new guidelines for DTH and cable network operators in 2019

TRAI, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, has implemented its new rules for DTH and cable network since 1st February ’19. Read on further for the more details about it.

Why new TRAI guidelines are implemented and what is the use of it?

According to BARC, television watching behavior of consumers has been observed which shows that 90% of the consumers do not watch all the channels added in the pack which they paid for. Then why should they pay for the channels which they do not see?
Before consumers were provided with options of a few packs of different channels and they had to select the pack as per their interest. There was a BASE pack to be included and after that, if you want to add additional channels which are not included in that BASE pack then you needed to pay extra for the TOP UP packs which contained your desired channel.
Those packs also included several channels which consumers do not see or browse them once. So earlier we paid for all the channels in the BASE pack but saw few ones only.
Now the scene is different, TRAI has applied new rules for DTH and Cable network operators and provided consumers the right to watch television. Consumers will pay only for the channels they see.

What are new TRAI guidelines for DTH and cable network operators in 2019?

TRAI prepared a new framework for DTH and cable network. According to TRAI, there are 330 Pay channels and 535 FTA channels in our country.
Free-to-Air channels – These are free channels or the channels which are available at zero cost.
Pay channels – These are the paid channels available at different prices.
Every DTH or cable operator has to prepare a BASE pack of 100 Free-to-Air channels (FTA channels) at price Rs. 130 or less (18% GST extra applicable). If you want to add additional Pay channels then you may add them as per your interest at their prices.
Now consumers can prepare their own pack by selecting the channels from 330 Pay channels and 535 FTA channels. Now the consumer can add or delete any channel anytime.

Where to check every channel’s tariff according to TRAI??

www.channeltariff.trai.gov.in – At this website, you may check the MRP of every channel. DTH or cable operators can offer a discount on these prices but cannot ask for higher than the prices mentioned in this website since these are maximum retail prices of the channels.
TRAI Helpline number – 0120-6898689

How to activate new plans and select the channels in DTH or cable network according to TRAI new guidelines?

There are different options through which you may activate your new plans and tailor your own packs for DTH or cable network.

Telephonic method: Call your DTH or cable network’s customer care support system from the registered phone number. Discuss the new plans with them, mention your requirement of the channels and they will do it for you.
Online method: Visit the official website of the DTH or cable network, log in there with your registered mobile number or Customer ID/Service ID. There you will see the update option which will guide you ahead to make your own pack and selection of channels.
Channel selection on Television itself: There is a dedicated channel on every DTH or cable network which provides all the information related to DTH recharge, different plans and activation procedure. For example, channel number 999 on Airtel DTH. Follow the steps and you are done.

What will happen after 1st February ‘19 if already paid to the DTH or cable network as per the previous plan?
If already paid to the DTH or Cable network then that amount will be adjusted when you switch to the new system.

Have you switched to the new system of channel selection after 1st Feb'19? What is your experience, amount increased or decreased?