Calcutta HC Lifts Stay On TRAI’s Tariff Order, Gives Cable Operators Time Till 8 February To Negotiate A Deal With MSO

The Calcutta High Court has vacated the stay it imposed on the implementation of the new tariff scheme by TRAI. The court also gave extra time to cable operators to negotiate a deal with their feed suppliers, reports Ultra News.

TRAI, on Wednesday (30 January), filed an application in the court seeking a vacation on stay imposed by it on the implementation of the tariff order till 18 February. The High Court, while hearing a petition filed by 80 cable operators from Kolkata, had imposed the stay, Economic Times has reported .

The cable operators, in their plea, had said that the new rules would hurt them and make them dependent on the feed provider (Multiple System Operator or MSO).

However, TRAI countered cable operators argument by saying that the cable operators were not forced to sign any document, and that it was up to them to find a feed provider who would give them the terms that they want.

After hearing arguments of both sides on Thursday (31 January), Justice Arindam Sinha lifted the stay on the order while giving cable operators time till 8 February to find a suitable feed provider and sign a signal supply agreement that they are comfortable with.