A la carte choice for DTH and Cable Users

[p_jayant]

In March 2009, Telecom Regulator has already mandated that broadcasters offer their channels on an individual (a la carte) basis to DTH operators and not insist on the entire bouquet. According to news yesterday, the Supreme Court has also ruled on Friday March 6 that the broadcasters must enable Cable and DTH users to pick individual channels of their choice and not thrust bouquets or packages down their throats.
But one does not see any announcement from the DTH Operators like Tata Sky offering such choice. On the contrary, all the heavily promoted packages - Family, Supersaver, Gold etc. - are still being promoted on the Tata Sky website.
Would the Telecom Regulator ask all Broadcasters to file reports by a fixed date to confirm that they have implemented the ruling of the Regulator , now fully supported by the Supreme Court? What use having regulatory authorities which have no teeth or monitoring procedure?
Or would the Consumer Forum challenge the Broadcasters for defying the regulator and the SC?

P. Jayant

 

[Sushubh]

i thought the ruling was for CAS and Cable and not DTH.

 

[amish]

and my cable operator is planning to raise rates to 350Rs a month.

 

[cool_asim]

What are u saying dude, all dth guys are promoting packages…

 

[srinitheultimate]

yep now a days CAS also costs a lot

 

[bgltv]

CAS here in chennai is very heavy and costly.. i still wonder in Bangalore how my cable wala is giving CAS for just 120 RS... including all channels in digital quality.

 

[p_jayant]

Yes. The SC ruling refers only to cable operators and the CAS. But that is because the complaint on which the ruling was made was at a time when DTH had not taken off. The principle of the customer having the right to choose channels he wants must apply to all Distributors whether they use Cable or Satellite for distribution. Is there any legitimate reason why the DTH Operators should be given permission to thrust packages or bouquets on customers when the same has been ruled as unacceptable in the case of Cable Operators? P. Jayant

 

[srinitheultimate]

ohoo:S

 

[ajuravi007]

CAS here in chennai is very heavy and costly.. i still wonder in Bangalore how my cable wala is giving CAS for just 120 RS... including all channels in digital quality.
In CAS areas if you wanted to watch 40 pay channels then you will end up in paying Rs. 240 for pay channel plus Rs. 100 for line rental....put together it comes to Rs. 340...........:huh:

 

[bgltv]

that means TRAI is not working properly.. how they would be able to give the pay channels in One area at economical cost and in other area into a premium rate....even this topic applicable for DTH.... there should be a regulation to make the channels as available in all dth platform based on the customer need.... packages should be designed on regional wise... genre wise etc.. so we have a best option to choose. Prices next and the output and selection of packages what they give to the customer should be optimal.