Cable operators face fines over billing

Govt. losing revenue as operators are not adding taxes to billing amount

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is planning to levy “financial disincentives” on cable operators for failing to provide proper bills and receipts for payments to subscribers of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS).

This failure to maintain proper accounts by Multi System Operators (MSOs) and Local Cable Operators (LCOs) as per the prescribed norms is not only inconveniencing consumers but also contributing to revenue loss by way of taxes for the government.

In proposing financial disincentives for MSOs and LCOs, TRAI — which doubles up as a regulatory mechanism for the broadcast sector — is borrowing a leaf from the telecom sector.

Cable operators will be fined Rs. 20 per subscriber for the first “contravention” and a maximum of Rs. 50 for every subsequent non-compliance of the Standards of Quality of Service (DAS) Regulations, 2012.