Trai seeks band neutrality for DTH operators

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Aiming to create a level- playing field for operators, broadcast regulator Trai on Wednesday said, the government should permit band neutrality for DTH service providers.

The existing DTH licence condition allows operators to provide signals only in ‘KU’ band directly to consumers without any other intermediary. In its recommendations on issues related to DTH service, Trai had recommended that DTH should continue supplying signals to the consumers directly and not to any other intermediary. But, to maintain a level-playing field with ‘HITS’ firms, who may use both ‘C’ and ‘KU’ band, DTH operators should be permitted band neutrality and allowed to operate in both the bands by amending the norms.

HITS is a satellite-based platform for delivering multi-channel signals to cable operators across the country and is capable of delivering TV signals in digital form. Trai added that the issue of revision of standards for DTH set top boxes should be taken up by the government with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) so that the standards are updated.

The revision should be prospective and apply to DTH subscribers who enrolled after six months, from the date of such revision.

It said such revision should not compulsorily require the DTH operators to upgrade the STBs of existing subscribers. The above recommendations on DTH would further protect the interests of consumers, while leading to a healthy competition among the DTH operators as well as with other delivery platforms.

Trai said market forces and competition would ensure that the DTH platform selects the channels in a non-discriminatory manner.