KOLKATA: Kolkata based multi-system operators (MSOs) mean business and how? Well! The fact that they have not been able to start gross billing in the city on the time as directed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI, they have decided to meet on 3 January and discuss the smooth rollout of gross billing in the KMA area.

"Since the local cable operators affiliated with us are not ready to distribute the bills thinking that this might make them delivery boys, we have called up the meeting to discuss on the matter and come up with ways to ensure that gross billing begins in Kolkata,” said a MSO.

Some last mile operators (LMOs) have decided to not allow gross billing in Kolkata DAS I area, said another MSO. "The billing system will bring transparency and organise the business but some operators are opposing it,” he said.

"We were prepared for a long time with the bills slated to be put up on the system. Since some MSO’s were not ready we had to wait,” said Siticable Kolkata director Suresh Sethia.

Sources on the condition of anonymity questioned that while a few MSOs like DEN Networks and Digicable among others have not yet started the package, how can they start the billing process?

While another source questioned how MSOs who have achieved around 70-80 per cent CAF submit compliance report for gross billing?

When the Cable Operators Digitalisation Committee of the Association of Cable Operators convener Swapan Chowdhury, was contacted, he said: "The government is putting pressure on the MSOs to start gross billing so that it can collect tax easily. No one is concerned about the operators.”

"We will not allow gross billing to start till all the issues like licensing conditions, unworkable revenue share model and agreement with the MSOs are resolved,” concluded a LCO.