Lok Sabha Question No. 3184 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-12
Subject: New DTH Rules
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3184 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.07.2019)

## NEW DTH RULES

3184. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will  the  Minister  of  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  be  pleased  to state :

- (a)  whether the Government is aware that new DTH rules announced by TRAI are not being implemented by many DTH operators in accordance with the norms prescribed;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether TRAI has deferred the date of implementation of the DTH Rules, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether the prices of DTH Channels are not being charged according to the norms, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the remedial measures being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) & (b) The Government is aware that the Telecom Regulatory Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  has  notified  the  new  Regulatory Framework  for  Broadcasting  and  Cable  Services.  The  DTH Operators have, in general, implemented the New Regulatory Framework.
- (c)  TRAI has not deferred the date of implementation of the DTH Rules. The new regulatory framework has been implemented with effect from 29th December, 2018. However, keeping in view the consumer convenience and to provide sufficient time to consumers to exercise the options for the new tariff packs, TRAI provided time until 31st March, 2019  to  consumers  for  conveying  their  informed  choices  to service providers.
- (d)    No  incidence  indicating  that  the  DTH  Operators  are  not adhering  to  the  TRAI's  norms  with  regards  to  pricing  of channels,  has  come  to  the  notice  of  TRAI.  As  per  the  new regulatory framework, every broadcaster is required to offer all  its  channels  on  a-la-carte  basis  and  declare  maximum retail  price  (MRP),  per  month,  payable  by  a  subscriber  for each of its  pay  channel  offered  on  a-la-carte  basis.  Further, all the Distribution Platform Operators including DTH operators are mandated to display of prices of all channels on Electronic Program Guide (EPG), which are visible to all the consumers watching TV.

(e) TRAI has taken several initiatives for raising awareness of consumers and facilitating them in selecting the  channels  of  their  choice.  For  this  purpose,  service providers have created their website and APPs. Consumers can  also  provide  their  choice  to  call  center  of  service providers and through their local cable operators. TRAI has developed the My Channel Application, available on TRAI's website, which enables consumers to select the channels of  their  choice  and  assess  their  monthly  bill.    TRAI  has undertaken an extensive campaign for generating consumer awareness about the new regulatory framework. Several advertisements have been published in newspaper of various languages to make consumers aware about the various ways to exercise options.

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