Leading DTH player Tata Sky has begun reaching out to its subscribers, urging them to choose from the new subscription plans in accordance with the new broadcast tariff order. It has also put up the revised channel and pack prices in line with the new MRP-based tariff order on its website.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had earlier pulled up the company for not making provisions for the new tariff order, after it received complaints from the subscribers.
This also comes at a time when a petition by Tata Sky against the new broadcast tariff order is pending before the Delhi High Court. The next hearing is scheduled for January 28.
When contacted, Harit Nagpal, MD & CEO, Tata Sky said, “Unlike cable operators, we are in direct and constant touch with our subscribers. Over the next one week, we will take the preferences of our subscribers in accordance with the new tariff order.”
He said that the consumers have the option to exercise their choices through the company’s website, app or through its dealers. Meanwhile, in a statement released on Thursday, TRAI said that it has been receiving complaints regarding one of the DTH service providers for not providing options to its subscribers to exercise their choice. The regulator, however, did not name the DTH service provider.
“The authority has taken up the matter. The said DTH operator has assured in writing that it will be complying with the new regulatory framework and will make the options available for obtaining the consumers choice,” the regulator stated.
TRAI has also said it has been monitoring the progress of the work being done by service providers with regard to the migration of subscribers. Distribution Platform Operators, including DTH players and MSOs, have to migrate their subscribers to the new MRP-based subscription plans from February 1.
“Approximately 40 per cent of the consumers have already exercised their option. The service providers have also given their assurance that work relating to seeking the options of the subscribers is in full swing and that they will take all the steps to obtain options of all their subscribers by January 31,” said the official statement.