The Hindu : National : TRAI amends Interconnection Regulation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006

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National

TRAI amends Interconnection Regulation

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Monday issued an amendment to the Interconnection Regulation to streamline arrangements among service providers for interconnection and revenue sharing for all broadcasting and cable services. It stipulated, among other things, a notice period of three weeks for disconnection of TV channel signals by a broadcaster to any distributor of TV channels.

Distributors also have to give three weeks' notice prior to disconnection of any TV channel.

The amendment to the Interconnection Regulation of December 10, 2004, also makes the issuing of public notices in newspapers about the disconnection of TV signals compulsory. A broadcaster, multi-system operator or distributor of TV channels is also required to carry scrolls on the channel about the disconnection.

It has been mandated that the broadcaster, multi-system operator (MSO) or their agents/intermediaries, to whom a request for providing TV channel signals is made, should either provide the signals on mutually agreed terms, or specify the terms and conditions on which they are willing to provide TV channel signals, within 60 days from the date of the request.

Methodology laid down

The methodology to arrive at the subscriber base of each distributor at the time of first agreement, during the validity of agreement and at the time of its renewal has been laid down for contracts between the broadcasters, MSOs and cable operators.

TRAI has prescribed that all broadcasters publish their Reference Interconnect Offers (RIO) describing, inter-alia, the technical and commercial conditions for interconnection for non-addressable systems and submit copies of the same. The RIO so published by the broadcaster will form the basis for all interconnection agreements to be executed thereafter.

Broadcasters will be required to give one month's notice for conversion of free-to-air channels to pay channels and vice versa.

Parties to an interconnection agreement for supply of signals will be required to renew their interconnection agreements within three months of the expiry of the original agreement.

Issue of invoices by broadcasters, MSOs or their agents and intermediaries has been made compulsory for payment received from any distributor for providing signals. The monthly invoice should specify the arrears and current dues, along with the due date for payment.

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