With the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) firm on the deadline of February 1, Distribution Platform Operators, especially Direct-to-Home operators, will need to gear up to migrate their subscribers to the new broadcast tariff order swiftly.

Sources said more than 60 per cent of cable TV subscribers and over 29 per cent of DTH subscribers are estimated to have exercised their options in accordance with the new broadcast regulatory framework.

Sources added that the DTH operators, except Dish TV, have been going slower than the Multi-System Operators and local cable operators in terms of collating subscriber choices, in accordance with the new tariff order.

For instance: One of the leading DTH service providers, Tata Sky, which is involved in a legal tussle with the regulator over the new tariff order, began reaching out to subscribers only late last week, after it received a show-cause notice from TRAI. However, the DTH operator on January 24 said it would reach out to its subscribers on their preferences in accordance with the new tariff order over the next one week.

With a large number of DTH subscribers typically opting for pre-paid long duration subscription plans, the DTH operators have also been asked by the regulator to ensure that such subscribers do not lose out any money and it should be adjusted in lieu of the new MRP-based subscription plans.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court is hearing a petition by Tata Sky against the tariff order and the matter is now next slated to be heard on February 4.

According to media reports, a petition by a slew of Local Cable Operators claiming that certain clauses in the new regulatory framework are more favourable to Multi-System Operators is also before the Calcutta High Court. The matter is scheduled to be heard by the court on Thursday.

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