TDSAT refuses stay on TRAI’s DD Free Dish tariff regulation

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has refused to grant a stay to broadcasters challenging Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) move to implement tariff regulation concerning pay channels on DD Free Dish.

With this ruling, TDSAT has asked the broadcasters to file a new Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) within two weeks of its ruling.

The next hearing in this case in TDSAT is slated to be held on February 6, 2025.

Earlier, the Supreme Court rejected an IBDF appeal challenging the TRAI tariff order in November. The apex court had affirmed the Kerala High Court verdict that such matters should be dealt with by TDSAT.

While arguing that DD Free Dish was separate from other DPOs since it does not charge subscription fees, IBDF had pleaded that TRAI’s tariff order mandated free-to-air channels on DD Free Dish, which would impact broadcasters’ ability to offer pay channels.

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