TRAI prescribes standard prices for STBs, CPE

To boost inter-operability, TRAI today released draft tariff orders prescribing standard prices for set top boxes (STBs) that are in demand because of the ongoing digitisation drive and Consumer Premises equipment (CPE) used for DTH services.
As per the details on the regulator's website TRAI had worked out the standard tariff package for CPEs on the basis of facts and figures as provided by the industry which put the total cost at Rs 2250 and a life span of 5 years.
For STBs it has assumed a total cost of Rs 1750 and a life span of 5 years.
In a statement released, the regulatory authority said in a digitised regime the customers need a STB or CPE to be connected with the TV set for reception and since different technologies co-exist, the equipment used by one operator may be different from others.

It said this may hamper effective migration from one service provider to another.
The also said it had suggested standard tariff packages for STBs and CPE on rental basis which are to be mandatorily offered by service providers like DTH operators and cable operators.
TRAI has sought comments on the draft by April 26.