TRAI issues consultation paper on tariff related to commercial subscribers

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today released a consultation paper on "Tariff issues related to Commercial Subscribers".

In accordance with the Supreme Court's order of April 16, 2014, TRAI, after following the due consultation process, had notified the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Second) tariff (Twelfth Amendment) order and the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Fourth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff (Fourth Amendment) order, on July 16,2014.

These two tariff amendment orders prescribing the tariff framework for commercial subscribers were challenged before the TDSAT. TDSAT in its order of March 9, 2015, had set aside these tariff amendment orders.

TRAI was asked to examine the issue afresh and come out with a new tariff dispensation for commercial subscribers within six months from the date of its order.

TRAI's consultation process involves:

(a) Examine the need to classify subscribers of TV services into ordinary and commercial categories.

(b) In case, subscribers are required to be classified into such categories, then examine various criteria for classification of subscribers of TV services; examine the need for differential tariffs amongst different subscriber categories; examine as who should prescribe the tariffs for different subscriber categories and examine adequacy of the present framework to ensure transparency and accountability across the value chain for commercial subscribers to ensure transparency and accountability in the entire value chain to effectively minimize disputes and conflicts among stakeholders.

As a part of the consultative process, the Consultation Paper has been uploaded on TRAI's website seeking comments/views of all stakeholders.

Written comments on issues raised in this consultation paper are invited from stakeholders by July 31, 2015, and counter-comments on the comments by August 7, 2015.