All cable operators will have to regulate the charging and billing procedure to follow the new telecommunication (broadcasting and cable) services (second) tariff (eighth amendment) order, 2007, from December 1, issued in a notification recently by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

According to the new regulations, every cable operator of a multi-system operator or a broadcaster will have to give to every subscriber the bill for the charges due.

The new regulations further states: "Every bill shall contain all relevant details, including the total number of pay and free-to-air channels provided by cable operator. Every cable operator, along with the first bill given to the subscriber after December 1, must give a list of pay channels and free-to-air channels being provided to the subscriber."

"Subsequently, written information about any changes in the pay channels or free-to-air channels being provided to the subscriber shall also be given along with the next bill given after such changes. Operators must also acknowledge all payments made by the subscriber by issuing a receipt duly signed by him." Even the charges to be levied on the subscriber have been fixed.

It will be mandatory for all cable television networks to transmit or re-transmit minimum 30 free-to-air channels.

The notification also says the maximum amount of charges payable by a subscriber for his second and subsequent television connections on his premises shall be mutually agreed upon between such subscriber and cable operator.

But most cable operators in the city are not prepared to follow the new regulations. Anil Dutta, a cable operator, said it would be extremely difficult for the operators or commission agents to follow the new system till everyone up to the top, including the broadcaster and the channel companies, reduce their charges.

An operator transmitting up to 20 pay channels and minimum 30 free-to-air channels will be taking an amount of not more than Rs 160 from A-1 and A class cities, Rs 140 from B-1 and B-2 class cities and Rs 130 from other areas.

For those relaying 20 to 30 pay channels and minimum 30 free-to-air channels, the charges will not be more than Rs 200 in A class cities, Rs 170 in B class cities and Rs 160 in other areas.

Similarly, if operators transmit 30 to 45 pay channels and minimum 30 free-to-air channels, the charges will not exceed Rs 235 in A class cities, Rs 200 in B class cities and Rs 180 in other areas.

Operators relaying more than 45 pay channels and minimum 30 free-to-air channels have been allowed to take an amount not more than Rs 260 from A class cities, Rs 220 from B class cities and Rs 200 from other areas. If an operator transmits only 30 free-to-air channels without any pay channels, the amount to be levied shall be Rs 77 only.

It will be mandatory for all cable television networks to transmit or re-transmit minimum 30 free-to-air channels. The notification also says the maximum amount of charges payable by a subscriber for his second and subsequent television connections on his premises shall be mutually agreed upon between such subscriber and cable operator.

But most cable operators in the city are not prepared to follow the new regulations. Anil Dutta, a cable operator, said it would be extremely difficult for the operators or commission agents to follow the new system till everyone up to the top, including the broadcaster and the channel companies, reduce their charges.

"How will we be able to give lower packages if the broadcasters continue to levy the same charges? If they follow the new guidelines, we will automatically cut down our charges or else we will have to bear the brunt of our subscribers, many of whom will refuse to budge," he said.