MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked broadcasters and distribution platform operators (DPOs) to take necessary steps to ensure a smooth rollout of the amended new tariff order from 1 March. Both broadcasters and distribution platform operators (DPOs)  have also been directed to publish required information on their website to provide consumers sufficient time to exercise their choice of channels and bouquets before the implementation.

After TRAI came out with the amendments to the new price regime, stakeholders across the industry raised voice against that. There are several petitions pending in the high courts challenging the order. However, the latest directive from TRAI reaffirms that it is firm on rolling out the order.

The authority also stated that many broadcasters have neither reported nor published the requisite information regarding the changes. It also added that it has been observed from the information available on the websites of many broadcasters that most of the existing bouquets of pay channels are not in compliance with the provisions of the amendments.

TRAI also pointed out that quite a few DPOs have also not published the required information on their website nor composition of new bouquets compliant to the changes.

“Further, to ensure that consumers at large are kept fully appraised, all concerned are required to ensure that information about all such existing bouquets which do not conform to the provisions of Tariff Order 2020 and which shall not be available for the consumers on or after 1st March 2020 may be suitably indicated on their website,” TRAI stated.