MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has warned all cable TV and DTH players that those found to be flouting its new tariff order rules will be taken to task. As per a report by PTI, TRAI will also undertake an audit of the subscriber management and IT systems of operators that don’t abide by its rules.

Speaking to PTI, TRAI chairman RS Sharma said, "We have received complaints about inconvenience to customers. These complaints relate to software and systems put in place by distributors not enabling true choice for consumers, which is the aim of the whole framework. If choice of channel is restricted then basic intention seems to be to push packs and bouquets and push your own agenda. That is not the spirit of the framework.”

He added that consumer choice and interest are non-negotiable and can’t be compromised. “If you disable consumers from exercising their choice then it is a true violation of the framework. We have taken these things seriously and we have issued showcause notices to a number of distributors,” he said. The body has issued directions to nine companies and showcause to five. Audits will take place soon to check for deviations.

Keeping consumer interest at the forefront, Sharma said that TRAI will come down heavily on those causing inconvenience since consumer choice is the “central theme” of the norms for the cable and broadcasting sector.

Speaking further, Sharma said, “If you somehow try to circumvent that or negotiate it then we are going to apply full regulatory strength to ensure that the entities comply.”

In an exclusive interview with Indiantelevision.com, Sharma had said that the new framework had enabled choice to consumers, brought transparency into the sector and ensured level playing field