India Q2 2019 pay DTH average active subscriber base at 54.26 million

Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report for the Quarter ending April-June, 2019

NEW DELHI — The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today has released the “Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report” for the Quarter ending 30th June, 2019. This Report provides a broad perspective of the Telecom Services in India and presents the key parameters and growth trends of the Telecom Services as well as Cable TV, DTH & Radio Broadcasting services in India for the period covering 1st April, 2019 to 30th June, 2019 compiled mainly on the basis of information furnished by the Service Providers.

Satellite TV

Since its introduction in the year 2003, DTH (direct-to-home) service has displayed a phenomenal growth. During the QE 30th June, 2019, there were 4 pay DTH service providers in the country as compared to 5 pay DTH service providers reported in the previous quarter.

Pay DTH has attained average active subscriber base of around 54.26 million in QE 30th June, 2019. This is in addition the subscribers of DTH Free Dish (free DTH services of Doordarshan).

Active DTH subscribers (millions):

                                      2018
------------------------------------------
End-March   End-June  End-Sept.   End-Dec.
---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    67.53      69.37      69.45      70.49

                                      2019
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End-March   End-June  End-Sept.   End-Dec.
---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    72.44     54.26*

* As per the new regulatory framework for Broadcasting and Cable TV Services which came into effect from 29th December 2018, the monthly subscription of a channel or bouquet shall be arrived at, by averaging the number of subscribers subscribing that channel or bouquet, as the case may be, recorded four times in a month. The number of subscribers shall be recorded at any point of time between 19:00 Hrs to 23:00 Hrs of the day. ‘Average active subscriber base’ thus means the number arrived by averaging the active subscriber base as on 7th day, 14th day, 21st day, 28th day, of the month.

Previously, DTH Operators were reporting a subscriber base which also included subscribers who have not been inactive or temporarily suspended for more 120 days as well as the total registered subscriber from the date the DTH operator started its operation.