Trai Issues Consultation Paper on ‘Tariff Issues Related to Commercial Subscribers’

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today(15-07-2015) released a consultation paper on “Tariff issues related to Commercial Subscribers”.

In accordance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s Order dated 16 April 2014 TRAI after following the due consultation process had notified the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Second) tariff (Twelfth Amendment) order & the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Fourth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff (Fourth Amendment) order, on 16 July 2014. These two tariff amendment orders prescribing the tariff framework for commercial subscribers were challenged before the Hon’ble TDSAT. The Hon’ble TDSAT vide its order dated 9 March 2015 had set aside these Tariff Amendment Orders. TRAI was asked to examine the issue afresh and come out with a new Tariff dispensation for commercial subscribers within six months from the date of its Order.

In view of the above, TRAI is commencing a Consultation process to:-

(a)          Examine the need to classify subscribers of TV services into ordinary and commercial categories.

(b)          In case, subscribers are required to be classified into such categories, then:

(i)     Examine various criteria for classification of subscribers of TV services.

       (ii)    Examine the need for differential tariffs amongst     different subscriber categories. 

(iii)   Examine as who should prescribe the tariffs for   different subscriber categories.

(iv)   Examine adequacy of the present framework to ensure transparency and accountability across the value chain for commercial subscribers to ensure transparency and accountability in the entire value chain to effectively minimize disputes and conflicts among stakeholders.

As a part of the consultative process, the Consultation Paper has been uploaded on TRAI’s website seeking comments/views of all stakeholders. Written comments on issues raised in this consultation paper are invited from stakeholders by 31st July, 2015, and counter-comments on the comments by 7th August, 2015. Comments and counter-comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form, to Mr. Wasi Ahmad, Advisor (B&CS), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Mahanagar Doorsanchar Bhawan, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, New Delhi-110002 (Telephone No: 011-23237922, FAX No: 011-23220442) on the e-mail address: advbcs@trai.gov.in or umesh@trai.gov.in. Comments/counter-comments will also be uploaded on TRAI’s website.

Full text of the Consultation Paper is available on TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in).

Courtesy:pib.nic.in