It has also allowed cable operators and DTH companies to offer discounts on long term subscriptions which are for a duration of six months or more. TRAI said that in homes where there is more than one TV connection in a home in the name of one person, the cable or DTH company can charge maximum 40 per cent of declared NCF for second and additional TV connections. In homes with multi-TV connection, TRAI has said now limited NCF charges for the second or additional TV connections.
TRAI also mentions that that channels that were declared mandatory by ministry of information and broadcasting will not be counted in the NCF, so it frees up more slots for users in compiling their list of 200 channels, while keeping the NCF charges limited to Rs 154. However, the broadcasters will have the flexibility to determine the free-to-air channels for different geographies. The regulator adds in its statement that distribution platform operators (DPO) can’t charge more than Rs 160 per month for giving all channels available on their platform. Earlier, if a user wanted more than 100 channels, there was extra NCF charge of Rs 20 for the slot of next 25 SD channels.
Keep in mind, the bill only remains Rs 154 (including GST), if all channels selected are free-to-air channels.
ALSO READ: TRAI’s revamped tariff orders for DTH, cable providers: Here’s how it impacts your TV billīut with the new rules TRAI has increased the provision to allow 200 channels in maximum NCF (network capacity fee) of Rs 130 plus taxes every month.