TRAI sets out new tariff for STBs and CPEs

With the prime objective to ensure effective commercial interoperability, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday issued Tariff Orders that prescribes standard tariff package for Set Top Boxes (STBs) for Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DASs) and Consume Premises Equipments (CPEs) for Direct to Home( DTH) services.

As per the tariff orders, Cable TV operators and DTH service providers can provide different STBs and CPE to consumers with varying rental and security deposit plans. The order gives options as per which cable service providers can provide the STBs at a monthly rent of Rs 55.66 or Rs 50.66 (excluding taxes) if the security deposit is Rs 400 or Rs 800 respectively. In case of DTH service providers, the monthly rent for the CPE can be offered at a rental of Rs 71.75 per month if the security deposit is Rs 500 and Rs 65.50 if the security deposit is Rs 1000.

As per other options, security deposit will be adjusted against the monthly rent in three years. Cable service providers can give STBs at an Rs 46.80 or Rs 32.93 if the security deposit is Rs 400 and Rs 800 respectively. Similarly DTH companies can provide CPE at a rent of Rs 60.66 and Rs 43.33 if the security deposit is Rs 500 or Rs 1000.

The said tariff orders have been devised to make available STBs / CPEs at reasonable price and lucid and easy to understand terms and conditions as well as to take care of the interests of the service providers. This would also promote healthy competition amongst the operators which would ultimately benefit all the stakeholders of the sector, including the consumers.

Salient features of these tariff orders are that the tariff includes installation and activation charges as well as the charges for maintenance and repairs for a period of 3 years. No monthly rental is to be paid after 3 years. The STB/ CPE will become the property of the subscriber after 3 years.  These packages are to be mandatorily offered to the subscribers and 'in addition' service providers can also offer alternative schemes / packages for supply of STBs / CPEs.

The above tariff orders prescribe the following standard tariff packages for supply of STB/ CPE to the subscribers:-