Cable operators to take up new tariff order issues with Trai

MUMBAI: Local cable operators (LCO) have sought a meeting with the broadcast regulator to “discuss” issues they are facing with respect to tariff rules even as television broadcasters have challenged the recent amendments to the new tariff order (NTO) in the Bombay High Court.

Cable Operators Welfare Federation (COWF) has sought a meeting with officials of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India while sharing its wish list with the authority in a letter late on Sunday.

The federation raised six issues in its wish list including review of interconnection agreements between LCOs and multi-system operators (MSOs), a higher share in the network capacity fee (NCF), more transparency, and dispute resolutions.

It also said that the broadcasters, while opposing the MRP norms and restrictions on discounting in bouquet pricing, are offering the same content free of cost on streaming platforms.

“We request you (Trai) to stipulate that content on OTT should be priced at the same tariff as on distribution platform operators and made available for the asking on identical, equitable terms to all players,” COWF said in its letter. ET viewed a copy of the letter. ET had reported on January 13 that LCOs are planning protests against Trai’s amendments to the NTO, which were notified on January 1.

“We have decided we will first appeal to Trai that certain clauses of the amendments are against cable operators and they will make it difficult for us to survive,” Arvind Prabhoo, president of Maharashtra Cable Operators Foundation had told ET. “Also, since NTO is just about stabilising, why do they want to disrupt it again?”