New Delhi 24th March 2006: Subject: "Amendment to Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Second) Tariff Order, 2004 (6 of 2004) dated 1.10.2004.

1.TRAI, in pursuance to the observations of Hon'ble Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) and the representation of Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI), considered appropriate, in the interim, to extend the protection of
ceiling of tariffs for cable and broadcasting services to the commercial
consumers.

 For this purpose, TRAI, on 7.3.2006, issued a Tariff Amendment Order (Fourth Amendment) extending protection of ceiling on cable charges in respect of Commercial Cable Subscriber(s) at the level prevailing as on 1 March 2006.

2. As a part of the consultation process and as a first step,
inputs from groups representing hotels and broadcasters were invited. 

During the process, group of broadcasters represented that a vast majority of the hotels and commercial establishments obtain cable services through cable operators without requisite authorization from the broadcasters which tantamounts to piracy of signals and that this may lead to legitimization of the present unauthorized arrangements between a commercial establishment and the cable operators.

3. The above mentioned representation was considered by TRAI.
With a view to bring clarity to the interpretation of the amended Tariff
Order dated 7.3.2006, it has been decided to add an explanation below the 2nd Proviso inserted by amendment dated 7.3.2006.