Trai norms for DTH operators

After the quality of service regulations for cable operators in CAS-notified areas, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended a slew of service obligations for Direct-To-Home operators.

To create transparency and awareness among consumers of DTH, Trai has suggested to the ministry of information and broadcasting that no changes be made in the DTH licence clause that mandates the technical interoperability among different providers. interoperability means a consumer can seamlessly migrate from one service provider to another without replacing his Set Top Box.

The regulator has also stated that the licence conditions should be amended so as to put the obligation on service providers to educate the consumer about the "limited technical interoperability of STBs with personal video or digital recorders."

Currently, India has just two players -- Essel Group, promoted Dish TV, and Tata Sky -- in the fray. Ventures by Sun TV DTH and another by Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group are expected to start.

It has about 3.5 million subscribers right now and is projected to touch 15 million by 2012. Moreover, consumers will also have to be informed about the platform functionality and services on DTH.

Modifications in the licence agreement have been suggested in Multiple Dwelling Unit technology wherein DTH provider cannot insist on any exclusive arrangement for installation, which is detrimental to other distributors.

Also obtaining a general permission from the Residents' Welfare Associations and housing societies will not be sufficient as the operator will have to obtain a written consent from subscribers living in an MDU before installing the service.

"While this lays down uniform service obligations for DTH operators, some recommendations like that of obtaining a written consent from dwellers in an MDU separately could prove cumbersome," said an industry source.