Trai to fix service quality norms for DTH

With an aim to benefit DTH consumers, broadcast regulator Trai will soon hold consultations over framing of laws to regulate the quality of service of direct-to-home services in the country.

"Trai will shortly issue a consultation paper for framing quality of service regulations on DTH and to thrash out regulations that would protect the interests of consumers," an official source said here.

Trai had in June last year issued quality of service regulations for cable operators in CAS areas and the move on the DTH front comes after more and more subscribers have been hooking on to the satellite-based TV services.

Currently, there are two private DTH operators in the country - Essel group's Dish TV and Tata-Star's TataSky - while public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has a free-to-air platform DD DirectPlus.

A desire for high-quality TV viewing in non-CAS areas and shifting to the new digital regime in CAS areas, as mandated by the government, has seen DTH companies witness high sales over the last few months.

The source said the consultation paper could cover issues such as complaint redressal mechanism; billing procedure and billing-related complaints; service connection, disconnection, transfer and shifting.

Also, the consultation paper will discuss what kind of penalties should be imposed on the service providers if they fail to provide services as per prescribed norms.