NEW DELHI: In keeping with the letter submitted to the Madras High Court earlier this week, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India today issued an amendment to its tariff order extending the date for bringing it into force to 2 May 2017.

Following the extension letter, both Star India and Vijay TV had not pressed their plea for extension.

The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff Order 2017 had been issued on 3 March 2017 to provide the tariff framework applicable to broadcasting services relating to television provided to subscribers, through addressable systems, throughout the territory of India.

Clause 3 of the principal Tariff Order was required to be implemented after thirty days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

TRAI also said that with the notification today, the Regulation 7(1) of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Addressable Systems) Interconnection Regulations, 2017 relating to publishing RIO within 60 days from the date of publication of regulations comes into effect foday.

TRAI received representations from some stakeholders wherein it is mentioned that section (b) of sub-clause (3) of clause 1 of the principal Tariff Order stipulates that clause 3, which mandates that broadcasters have to declare the nature and MRP of pay channels will come into effect after 30 days from the date of publication of this Order in the Official Gazette.

Stakeholders also mentioned that it is not clear where will broadcasters declare the nature and rates of channels as RIOs are required to be published within 60 days. They requested the Authority to remove the ambiguity with regards to schedule for declaration of nature and MRP of pay channels; and publishing of RIO.

TRAI said in order to harmonize the provisions relating to implementation of the clause 3 of the principal Tariff Order and regulation 7(1) of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Addressable Systems) Interconnection Regulations, 2017, the dates of the principal tariff order have been re-determined.

In addition, Clause 10 has been amended as it mistakenly referred to the tariff order of 2010.

The regulations issued on 3 March2017 are:

The orders can be seen at:

http://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Tariff_Order_English_3%20March_2017.pdf

http://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QOS_Regulation_03_03_2017.pdf

http://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Interconnection_Regulation_03_mar_2917.pdf

Also Read: TRAI justifies tariff, QoS, interconnect orders, declines comment on jurisdiction

TRAI extends tariff regulations execution date, Madras High court arguments to continue