TRAI extends new DTH rate implementation date to Feb 1
Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) has given great relief to the DTH and cable consumers from its new rules which will be implemented from February 1. Changes in rules are likely to give people great relief on their monthly bills.
The right to choose a free channel to the customer
TRAI has said that the right to choose 100 free-to-air channels will be with the customer. Earlier, 26 channels of Doordarshan were included in this list. Now if the customer wants to leave the channel, then they can leave. This allows the customer to easily select 100 favorite SD channels.
TRAI had fixed 130 rupees and additional GST(18%) for 100 channels. Accordingly, every month, people will have to pay 155 rupees for 100 SD channels and then 20 rupees per pack for selecting 25 packs of 25 channels.
Paid channels included in 100 channels
Customers will be able to choose between Pay channels, A-la-Carte or FTA (free to air) channels in 100 channels. TRAI has insisted that only the customers have the right to choose all types of channels and no DTH or cable company can force them to take the channel.
Watching HD is still expensive
However, if viewers want to watch HD channels then they will have to pay more than they did earlier. According to TRAI rules, to see an HD channel, you have to pay the equivalent amount of two SD channels.
In addition, one has to spend more money for premium category channels (Sports and English Movie Channels). According to cable industry sources, the cost of at least thousand rupees will be spent every month to see all the channels. DTH and cable companies have drawn up a 999 channel pack. It includes all kinds of channels.
