Trai issues new tariff orders for DTH, cable TV

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Tuesday issued new tariff orders to make available set top boxes and other equipment at reasonable prices.

In a statement issued here, Trai said the objective of these tariff orders prescribing standard tariff package for STBs for Digital Cable TV and CPE for Direct to Home (DTH) services is to ensure effective commercial inter-operability.

Tariff orders have been devised to make available STBs and CPEs, which are required to receive signals for cable and DTH services, at reasonable prices as well as to take care of the interests of the service providers, the Trai said.

As per the orders, Cable TV operators and DTH service providers can provide different STBs and CPEs to consumers with varying rental and security deposit plans.
The order gives options as per which cable service providers can provide the STBs at a monthly rent of Rs 55.66 or Rs 50.66 (excluding taxes) if the security deposit is Rs 400 or Rs 800 respectively.

In case of DTH service providers, the monthly rent for the CPE can be offered at a rental of Rs 71.75 per month if the security deposit is Rs 500 and Rs 65.50 if the security deposit is Rs 1000.

The security deposit will be refunded to subscribers at the end of three years and the STB or CPE will become the property of the customer.

As per other options, security deposit will be adjusted against the monthly rent in three years.

Cable service providers can give STBs at Rs 46.80 or Rs 32.93 if the security deposit is Rs 400 or Rs 800 respectively. Similarly, DTH companies can provide CPEs at a rent of Rs 60.66 or Rs 43.33 if the security deposit is Rs 500 or Rs 1000 respectively.