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The Issue with QoS Regulations and DD Free Dish
The QoS regulations that require the channels to be provided in an encrypted manner is being disregarded, say sources
All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) Moves TDSAT Against DD Free Dish
All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has moved the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against DD Free Dish for allegedly not abiding by TRAI’s regulation that requires the channels to be provided in an encrypted manner.
A reliable source told e4m that the Tribunal has issued notice to Prasar Bharti on the plea of AIDCF, which has nine cable networks under it.
“Broadcasters have been providing the channel decoders to DD Free Dish without charging them for the pay channels, which has created a non-level playing field between other platforms.
“DD Free Dish is not abiding by the QoS regulations that require the channels to be provided in an encrypted manner,” sources said.
According to the petition filed by AIDCF and GTPL Hathway Ltd, the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 applicable to Broadcasting Services in India should be complied with, and Prasar Bharati should provide all private television channels through encrypted signal for DD Free Dish Service.
The petition also alleges that broadcasters have been providing TV channel decoders of certain pay channels to DD Free Dish without charging any tariff, while charging relevant tariffs from other service providers under TRAI’s regulatory framework.
Other respondents named in the petition are the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and several broadcasters.
The plea seeks a declaration that channels telecast as Free to Air on Prasar Bharati’s network cannot be pay channels under the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017. It also requests that all agreements between Prasar Bharati and private broadcasters contrary to TRAI regulations be declared null and void.
The cable federation urges the tribunal to ensure that all private television channels are broadcast to the end consumer in encrypted form through digital addressable systems.