TRAI drags cable operators to court for failing to give consumer info

New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authorityof India (TRAI) has moved a Delhi court against cableoperators for not providing details of subscribers of set-topboxes to multi-system operators (MSO) which is necessary toensure accountability in digitisation of cable TV services.

In its complaints before Chief Metropolitan MagistrateVidya Prakash, TRAI said cable operators were violating itsregulations concerning implementation of Digital AddressableCable TV System (DAS), for which a set-top box is to beattached with television set of the subscriber.

Complaints have been filed against over a dozen cableoperators.

[caption id="attachment_819613" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational image. Reuters[/caption]

TRAI said in its phased implementation of the DAS,details of subscribers along with their choice of servicesincluding choice of channels and bouquets are not being

maintained by cable operators and not being forwarded to theirMSOs, which is necessary to ensure accountability.

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TRAI said in May 2012, it made the "Standards of Qualityof Services" which provides for connection, disconnection,transfer, shifting of the cable TV services, procedure for

handling subscribers' complaints and redressal, for obtaining/supplying set-top boxes, changing the position of channels,payment of bills and responsibilities of cable operators andMSOs for ensuring quality of service at the subscriber level.

One of the provisions of Standards of Quality Servicesmakes it mandatory for cable operators to provide consumerinformation.

However, TRAI said in its review of position regardingdeployment of set-top boxes in the four metros in first phase,it was found that all linked cable operators were not

providing relevant consumer details like total number ofset-top boxes seeded and operationalised, their choice ofchannels, bouquets and about subscribers.

It also said the cable operators have failed to comply toits notices.

PTI