MUMBAI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asserted that Network Capacity Fee (NCF) for second or additional TV connections is not mandatory after many subscribers raised the issue. The regulatory body has also made it clear that the new regime does not prohibit the service providers to offer discount or lower NCF for second or additional connections in the same location or home.

After the new tariff regime for cable and broadcasting sector came into effect from 1 February, TRAI earlier on Wednesday interacted with the media in New Delhi to discuss a wide array of concerns facing consumers when TRAI also discussed the same issue.

With many households in India boasting of more than one TV connection, subscribers prefer a cheaper scheme for the second TV. To keep it same under new regime, TRAI sought details of special schemes for provision of second or subsequent connection after a number of subscribers raised the issue. The regulatory body said on Wednesday that it expects DPOs to declare special schemes for multiple connections within a TV home in a day or so. TRAI said it is keeping an eye on the development and will intervene if required.

The new regulation provides a capping of Rs 130 as NCF for 100 SD channels and Rs 20 for the slab of next 25 SD channels. TRAI added the preliminary data analysis reflects actual savings by subscribers under new regulatory framework to the tune 10 to 15 per cent in metro towns and between 5 to 10 per cent in non-metro (DAS 3 and DAS 4) areas.