TRAI Directs DTH Providers To Continue Long Terms Plans Until Original Validity Expires

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed cable and DTH operators to follow the latest guidelines it has issued, the Telecom Talk reports.

The latest order has pushed the deadline of shifting to the new regime to 31 March 2019. Among other changes, the TRAI, in its most recent notification, has directed DTH operators to continue the long duration plans until their original validity expires.

The latest notification contradicted their previous order when the regulatory body said that the subscribers with active long term plans could shift to the new pricing regime and their monthly rentals would be deducted from the long term subscription.

According to the new rule, if a subscriber had purchased the long duration pack in December 2018 with one-year validity, then the DTH operator would need to serve the subscriber according to the original validity, i.e., till December 2019. The new direction would hurt the DTH providers financially.

In a statement, the TRAI said, “The Authority further reiterates that subscribers who have taken long term packs will continue to avail the services for the contracted period. However, they have the freedom to choose the channels of their choice under the new regulatory framework and in case if they exercise this option, money for the remaining period shall be adjusted for their future use.”

The TRAI has been discussing the new Tariff rule with the DTH operators from the first half of 2018. However, the DTH service providers continued to sell the long duration plans until December 2018, with complete knowledge that they would face problems if the TRAI implemented the new mandate.