Trai's latest intervention in the cable and DTH market has created more confusion than it has solved
All distribution platforms are required to move all their subscribers to new the framework by February 1
Service providers have to prepare for migrating to the new framework by December 28 this year.
The new framework allows consumers to select and pay only for the channels they wish to view
Under the Trai tariff order, all broadcasters have to declare the maximum retail price for their channels, and all channels have to be made available on an a-la-carte basis
Trai rejected messages circulating in the media that there may be a black-out of existing subscribed channels on TV screens after December 29, when the new order comes into effect
Could the regulator's focus on broader issues that facilitate growth and employment in TV instead of worrying about ratings?
TRAI also shortened the validity period of Unique Porting Code (UPC) to four days from the previous period of 15 days
A recent Supreme Court judgment demarcates the jurisdiction border between the two regulators. This could have wider implications for conflicts among regulators
Trai will be able to finalise its views on the issue of a regulatory framework for Over-The-Top players in the coming 5-6 months
Chairmen come and chairmen go; Trai is the continuing authority
The plea, according to the people, speaks about how the framework or mechanism laid out by Trai, to package channels and their overall pricing, is not sustainable
The order will provide consumers choice of channels, transparency and better service quality, RS Sharma said
He said people accept terms and conditions of online platforms without reading, which puts their privacy at risk
This follows DoT seeking Trai's recommendation on BSNL's request to change the present method of levying spectrum charges on its satellite services as they are too expensive for subscribers
The Trai Act may be modified to create an ombudsman with power to penalise operators or compensate consumers
Trai's solutions remain inadequate
In his first interview after winning a second term at the helm of TRAI, Sharma said legal options are available for anyone not happy with a particular regulation of Trai
It was during Sharma's tenure that the telecom sector witnessed the entry of Reliance Jio and rock-bottom tariffs, forcing the industry to face severe financial stress
According to data shared by Trai, the export of telecom instrument stood at $1,201.7 million