TRAI extends NTO 2.0 implementation deadline

The deadline for implementing New Tariff Order (NTO) 2.0 has been extended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to June 1, 2022. The previous deadline had been April 2022.

In a letter to broadcasters and distribution platform providers, the TRAI stated, "With effect from June 1, 2022, all distributors of television channels should guarantee that services to subscribers are given as per the bouquets or channels preferred by subscribers"

Due to the COVID situation, the regulator has received multiple requests from stakeholders asking an extension of the time limit for implementing the New Regulatory Framework 2020. The majority of their team was affected by Covid-19, and many were unable to attend work owing to state government requirements, according to stakeholders. Furthermore, their employees/affiliated local cable operators are having difficulty reaching COVID-affected subscribers/areas for collection of options, etc.

"In light of the current pandemic scenario across the country and requests received from stakeholders for an extension of time for the implementation of the New Regulatory Framework 2020," the TRAI stated.

Broadcasters must notify any change in name, nature, language, monthly Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of channels, bouquet composition, and MRP of bouquets of channels to the authorities by February 28, 2022, and concurrently display such information on their websites. Broadcasters that have previously filed RIOs in accordance with the New Regulatory Framework have until February 28, 2022 to amend them.

The regulatory body also ordered all DPOs to report the Distributor Retail Price (DRP) of pay channels, the composition of pay channel bouquets/free-to-air channels, and the DRP of bouquets of pay channels to the authority by March 31, 2022, and to publish this information on their websites at the same time. DPOs who have previously filed RIOs in accordance with the New Regulatory Framework have until March 31, 2022 to modify them.