Regulating DTH Operators Like Tata Sky, Airtel Digital TV: TRAI Rolls Out Consultation Paper

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) rolled out a consultation paper asking for views and comments on the regulatory frameworks for direct-to-home (DTH) services. The concerned stakeholders will be required to submit a written response by 14 December whereas they have time till 19 December for further counter comments.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has asked TRAI to put forth their views on replacing the term DTH with multi-system operators (MSO).

2014 was the first time that TRAI had discharged recommendations on “Regulatory Framework for Platform Services” for DTHs and MSOs. The ministry referred it back in October 2020 and TRAI is now holding consultations with the involved parties before giving in their recommendations to the department (MIB).

“Further, there are a few new issues that have been raised by the ministry in its above referred letter dated October 23,2020 vis--vis applying certain recommendations made for DTH operators in 2019 on MSOs also,” the authority’s statement read.

It added, “Therefore, in line with its practice, TRAI shall provide its recommendations to MIB after a due consultation process. Accordingly, TRAI has issued consultation paper for seeking comments of all the stakeholders.”