SC to decide fate of broadcasters on TRAI tariff order today

The Supreme Court will on Wednesday hear a petition against TRAI tariff and inter-connect order. The hearing was deffered on August 28, 2018.

On July 3, 2018, TRAI had implemented the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations 2017 after it was upheld by the Madras High Court with an exception. While bringing the order into effect on July 3, the TRAI had prescribed timelines for the stakeholders. The deadline for compliance was August 31, 2018. 

Following the deadline, most of the major broadcasters have published their Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) along with the Interconnection Agreement. Big broadcasters, including Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited and TV18 Broadcast Limited, have declared their RIOs.

“This RIO shall be effective for the term commencing from 29-December-2018 (i.e., at the end of 180 days from the date of TRAI’s press release dated 3-July-2018, read with TRAI’s notifications dated 3-March-2017),” reads the RIO published by TV18 Broadcast Ltd.

Also, Zee, in line with the tariff order, announced “multiple bouquets catering to consumers of different languages across India. All Zee channels will be available on a-la-carte basis, as required by the Regulations.

However, Star India, which is one of the petitioners against TRAI tariff and interconnect order, is yet to file its RIO.