Now Select Your New DTH Pack Till 31 March: After Much Resistance, TRAI Extends Deadline

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has said that they have extended the deadline for consumers to select their channels under the latest framework for broadcasting and cable services to 31 March 2019, the NDTV Gadgets reports.

TRAI, in its statement, said that it had directed all Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) to make the ‘best-fit plan’ for subscribers who have not shifted to the new system according to their usage pattern, the popularity of channels and language spoken.

“The Authority extends time up to 31 March 2019, for exercising the option (of selecting channels) by such subscribers who have not exercised option yet. Subscribers will be free to change their 'best-fit plan' at any date and time on or before 31 March 2019, and DPOs shall convert their 'best-fit plan' into the desired (channels) pack within 72 hours from the time choice exercised,” the statement informs.

The statement adds that 65 per cent of the 100 million cable TV subscribers and 35 per cent of the 67 million DTH subscribers have shifted to the new framework. The new structure promotes consumer choice and will enable subscribers to pay for only what they want to watch. However the “non-exercise of the option” should not become an inconvenience to subscribers the statement adds.

The TRAI also clarifies that there would not be any ‘lock-in period’ until 31 March for subscribers who migrate to the DPOs ‘best fit plan’. Further, the DPOs need to ensure that the payout per month of the plan does not be more than the payout per month of the subscribers existing plans.

In a meeting with all DTH operators and major Multi System Operators (MSOs) on Monday (11 February), the operators informed the TRAI that the implementation of migrating to the new system was in full flow, and subscribers who have selected their channels are moved to the new framework.