TRAI releases Consultation Paper on Restructuring of Cable TV Services

Today Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued a consultation paper on “Restructuring of Cable TV Services”.

There has been a rapid development in the Indian Cable TV industry in the past two decades which is largely due to entrepreneurial skills of the cable operators. The cable TV transmission in the country is predominantly analogue and limited to provisioning of TV Channels only. Due to technological developments there is a fierce competition to the existing conventional Cable TV operators from operators who use advance distribution technologies like DTH, HITS, IPTV etc. With spread of convergence it is also possible to provide telecom services like broadband and Internet telephony through cable TV networks.

An appropriate regulatory framework to enable the orderly growth of the sector is need of the hour. The provisions for registration, information system for monitoring of cable TV industry, customer grievance redressal and quality of service etc need immediate attention.

There is a scope for growth in the cable TV sector in view of new technologies available today. The investment opportunities in the sector have also increased. A supportive regulatory environment will facilitate the constructive growth.

In order to address all these issues, TRAI has come out with this consultation paper which will initiate meaningful deliberations. The comments and inputs from stakeholders would enable TRAI to formulate the recommendations on the subject which will help orderly growth of the Cable TV services in the country. Comments are sought by TRAI from all stakeholders on the following issues:

• Change in the regulatory framework to take care of technological advancement, convergence etc. for effective regulation of Cable TV Industry.
• Transparency in registration process of cable TV operator, adequate monitoring to ensure better cable TV services and provision of Appellate Authority.
• Mechanism for effective consumer grievances redressal;
• Amendment in the Cable Act/Cable Rules & need for different regulatory framework for MSOs;
• QoS parameters for non CAS areas and monitoring mechanism to ensure effective implementation.

The stakeholders have been requested to send their comments by 2nd April, 2008. The consultation paper is also available on TRAI’s Website.

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