NEW DELHI: The broadcast and cable regulator Telecom Authority of India (Trai) now has set its eye on fixingthe rates of individual pay channels and the quantum of bundling that can be allowed with an aim to give cable viewers greater choice.It is also looking at capping commercial time on paychannels after due consultation.

In a statement today, Trai has said that subsequent to a meeting held on 25 February a committee has been formed whose terms of references would include deciding on the rates of pay channels payable by cable operators and MSOs.The terms of reference for the committee have now been decided which are as follows:

1.Suggest the norms for fixing rates (or ceiling
rates) for cable subscribers/cable operators / Multi
Service Operators for individual pay channels,
bouquets thereof, and distribution of free-to-air
channels.

2.Suggest regulation regarding rates of cable
operators, including periodicity of change of monthly
cable charges.

3. Suggest the principles for laying down limits as to
the extent of bundling of pay channels to be allowed
in order to ensure that Cable TV viewers have a
genuine choice with regard to selection of pay
channels.

4. Formulate the standard terms and conditions under
which set top boxes may be made available
(sale/rental) to subscriber.

5. Suggest the conditions under which consumers may
return set top boxes sold or rented to them by service
providers and ask for refund.

6. Suggest the maximum advertising time to be
permitted per hour on pay channels along with other
conditions that are required to be imposed.

7. Examine the implications of gradual and voluntary
introduction of set top boxes.

8. Any other measure, to ensure that CAS does not lead
to exploitation of the consumer by the monopoly
distribution channels.

Secretary, Trai, would be the chairman of the
committee. The first meeting of this committee is
scheduled for 10 March.

Trai had held a meeting on 25 February with the
state governments of Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal
and Tamilnadu to discuss issues relating to cable
services and various other problems faced by state
governments in the implementation of CAS.

Following this meeting, Trai had decided to establish
a special committee comprising representatives of
these state governments, which would work on various
issues relating to cable television and provide inputs
to the Authority to finalise regulations in this
regard.