Long-Term DTH Subscribers Can Be On Old Packs Until Expiry; Need Not Switch To New Framework Forthwith, Says TRAI 

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a clarification to direct to home (DTH) operators that they must allow pre-paid customers with existing long-term packs to continue with them till their expiry, if they wish to do that, reports Television Post.

The regulatory authority’s directive comes as reports surface about DTH operators telling long-duration pre-paid customers that they must select channels under the pricking framework.

“Where customers have already exercised their choice and decided to move to the new framework if they have long or short duration packs, it (the payment made) will get adjusted,” TRAI chairman R S Sharma stated.

He added that in those instances where customers had not migrated yet and already had a pre-existing short or long duration plan, the regulation’s provisions clearly allowed them to choose to continue with it until the date of expiry.

He explained that long-term subscribers could opt to migrate to the new regime whenever it suited them. The balance money in their accounts would be adjusted towards the new plan.

Along with long-term pack customers, short-duration customers can also opt for continuity. “There’s no question of discontinuation. We’re very clear that in DTH platform also, the customer will not have to suffer since it is a completely pre-paid platform,” Sharma said.