Pro-consumer, but…

Trai order on DTH broadcasters ignores industry dynamics

The broadcasting tariff order of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), asking direct-to-home (DTH) television platforms to give their subscribers only what they want to watch and charge them accordingly, is a pro-consumer move. But it would be wrong to assume that this order would necessarily bring down the monthly bill for users. Typically, broadcasters bundle a certain number of channels of varying genres and argue that a consumer pays more for less. However, consumers are unlikely to watch all the channels being thrust on them in the bouquet. As such, Trai has argued, why should users pay for