All Entries Tagged With: "CAS"
23.77 mn DTH subscribers by June 2010: Trai
The DTH subscriber base has grown to 23.77 million viewers by the end of June quarter from 21.3 million users in the previous quarter, sectoral regulator the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said today. According to Trai, six DTH licensees (excluding DD Direct) reported subscriber base of 23.77 million (for the quarter ended June 2010) as against 21.3 million at the end of March 2010, indicating an increasing penetration of the service. The DTH subscriber base stood at 15.17 million in the quarter ended June 2009. Apart from the free DTH service of Doordarshan, there are six private »»»
Cable TV operators’ SoS to Govt
GUWAHATI, Sept 5 – With threat looming on their existence due to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s recommendation to close analog cable TV networks by 2013, the cable TV operators of Assam have sought the help of the State Government to bail them out of the situation. A meeting of cable TV operators of Assam was convened today by Greater Guwahati Cable TV Operators Association (GGCTOA) at Guwahati, which resolved to ask the State Government to exempt their service from Assam Amusement and Betting Tax (AA&BT), till it goes digital. Operators from different parts of State »»»
Cable distribution stocks jump, but analysts are wary
Equity analysts feel that the markets have overreacted to TRAI’s recommendation of complete digitisation by 2013. Stocks in the cable distribution and DTH business, DEN Networks, Hathway Cable and Dish TV saw gains in excess of five per cent each. These gains are unsustainable and only DTH operators would reap the benefits of complete digitisation as individuals feel it is a nuisance to interact with local cable operators, said an analyst from a large broking house. DTH operators like Tata Sky, Dish TV and Reliance Big would do well as it has already been proved beyond doubt that mandatory »»»
Reduce wholesale tariff for DTH players: Assn to Trai
The DTH association of India today asked telecom regulator Trai to bring down the wholesale tariff for direct-to-home operators to 10-20 per cent of non-CAS cable tariff from the existing 35 per cent. Welcoming the new tariff order announced by Trai, the Association noted that the telecom regulator has pointed out that the effective wholesale tariff for a DTH operator was 2.47 times that of non-CAS cable tariff. “In order to create a level-playing field, we strongly recommend that the ceiling of 35 per cent be brought down to a realistic level of 10-20 per cent of the non-CAS cable tariff,” »»»
Come Sept, pick and choose DTH channels
Come September and subscribers of DTH services would be able to pick and choose the channels they want to watch but have to pay a minimum of Rs 150 per month for a bouquet of channels of their choice. In its tariff order for 2010, broadcast regulator TRAI also included provisions to protect the consumers from rise in rates, like no increase in subscription charges in the first six months of enrolling. The rates can, however, be decreased in those six months and the consumer can opt for any other service provided by the DTH operators. The composition of the bouquet of channels should also be the »»»
Trai to cap cable TV prices at Rs.250
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: In what could upset multi-system operators (MSOs), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) plans to cap cable TV pricing at Rs 250 in non-Cas areas while allowing broadcasters an inflation rate of nine per cent and denying cable TV operators to choose channels on a la carte basis. The broadcast sector regulator is in favour of leaving carriage rates to market forces as it feels capping it would not be feasible. Trai today told the Supreme Court that it plans to introduce three pricing slabs for cable television, with a maximum cap of Rs 250. In an affidavit, Trai said »»»
New Trai formula to spark off DTH,cable pricing war
A major tariff war is about to break out between cable operators and the direct-to-home (DTH) operators with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) considering a reduction of the existing pricing formula for broadcasters on DTH, which is likely to bring down DTH bills by half. Trai met broadcasters, cable operators and DTH companies last week to discuss the new formula. The regulator is involved in the tariff revision as directed by the Supreme Court over a legal battle between cable operators, broadcasters and DTH firms. Trai has to recommend the revised tariffs to the court before June »»»
