TelecomLive January-2019

New Broadcasting Regime www.telecomlive.com 31 Telecom LIVE January 2019 choice. This is all baseless," Mr Sharma said. "We feel that the fears are being created in the minds of people...with ulterior motive," he said. "Also, on our website we have created certain different packages for different markets to demon- strate that the prices will not increase in any of the markets," Trai secretary SK Gupta said. Trai's overall assertion is that prices would not just decrease but also that the sector would benefit from greater transparency. Analyses of Trai packages Trai claims that it has worked out twelve packages of different combination of channels on its website that clearly demonstrate that there would be no price hike. To verify these contradictory claims, we have studied all the 12 packages available on Trai's web site. Our detail comments are available in below for each table package. All these packages confirm what the users have been telling us, which is that prices will go up. For example, one user has gone through his existing channels which he watches, and finds that the matching package on Trai's web site is available for as high as Rs 378, which presently costs him just Rs 219 per month. Moreover, at the moment he pays only for 11 th months, while the 12 month is free. Thus, after considering one month free period, the package costs him just Rs 201 per month. Therefore, the tariff proposed to be made effective under the new regulatory regime, will be very expensive for the end con- sumer. Why prices will be higher Trai in its new regulation announced in 2017, had capped discounts at 15 per cent for a pack- age of channels compared to total prices fixed for individual chan- nels offered under the said pack- age. Besides, an individual chan- nel offered as a part of the package has also been capped at Rs 19. However, Trai has not imple- mented the discount cap of 15 per cent, even though the Supreme Court in its latest judgment has given Trai a go ahead. Trai has of the new framework for broad- casting and cable services would lead to lower prices for TV view- ers, as it slammed the "misinfor- mation campaign" being carried out by some to fuel "hyperbolic fear" among consumers. Trai said that the regulator is working to ensure a "smooth tran- sition" to the new framework without causing any disruption for consumers. "This is a great framework which has been validated by the highest court of the land, but there are certain stakeholders who are trying to create misconceptions that consumer bills are going to rise. It is bogus," Mr Sharma said without naming anyone. Slamming the "misinformation campaign", Mr Sharma said that latest framework entailing service quality, interconnection and tariff aspects will reduce overall prices for consumers, raise transparency, and act as a "cleansing exercise". "Certain stakeholders are trying a perception battle...and creating hyperbolic fear or fear of unknown saying it will increase prices and that consumers will have no Suggested packages of channels and their cost as per Trai's web site Sl Price incl tax (Rs) No. of channels Remarks FTA DD Pay TTL 1 184 50 25 25 100 Leading Entertainment & Movie channels missing 2 194 50 25 25 100 Leading Entertainment & Movie channels missing 3 198 47 25 28 100 Leading Entertainment & Movie channels missing 4 199 48 25 27 100 Leading Entertainment & Movie channels missing 5 211 33 25 42 100 Leading Entertainment & Movie channels missing 6 246 50 25 25 100 Regional focus 7 260 62 25 13 100 Leading movie channels missing: Sony Max (Rs 17.70) + Star Gold (Rs 9.44) + Zee Cinema (Rs 22.42) = Rs 49.56 Total cost to customer is Rs 260 + Rs 49.56= Rs 309.56 8 275 50 25 25 100 Leading movie channels missing: Sony Max (Rs 17.70) + Star Gold (Rs 9.44) + Zee Cinema (Rs 22.42) = Rs 49.56 Total cost to customer is Rs 275 + Rs 49.56 = Rs 324.56 9 275 50 25 25 100 Leading Entertainment & Movie channels missing 10 294 52 25 23 100 Regional focus 11 299 50 25 25 100 Two Leading channels missing: Sony (Rs 22.42) + Star Gold (Rs 9.44) = Rs 31.86 Total cost to customer is Rs 299 + Rs 31.86= Rs 330.86 12 378 20 25 80 125 Regional focus