Cable TV prices are now expected to reduce after Telecom Regulatory Authority of India yesterday issued a series of orders relating to digital addressable systems.

“Initial 100 standard definition (SD) channels can be availed by a subscriber by paying an amount not exceeding Rs130 (excluding taxes) per month to the distributor of TV channels,” the regulator said in a statement.

Additionally, the regulator has also capped the maximum retail price of a channel at Rs19. Any channel priced at more than Rs19 will not be a part of channel bouquet and will have to be offered to subscribers on an à la carte basis, the regulator said.

Beyond that, channels will be available in slabs of 25 and an amount not exceeding Rs20 (excluding taxes) will be charged per slab, it said.

Earlier, both Star India and Vijay TV had filed a petition in Madras High Court under the Copyright Act on the ground that TRAI could not issue orders that would affect content but could only issue regulations relating to distribution and other matters.

After the High Court stayed all orders issued by it, TRAI appealed to the Supreme Court which this morning said that TRAI was free to issue its orders. However, it said the case in the High Court would continue and would have to be completed within sixty days. Both channels were also given leave to amend their petitions in the event of TRAI issuing any orders.Following the green signal from the Supreme Court yesterday morning, TRAI issued a series of orders relating to digital addressable systems.

For the first time, the prices have been prescribed,” said Roop Sharma, president of the Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI)The regulator has also notified interconnection and quality of service orders which will regulate the agreements and deal structure between the broadcasters and DPOs and other stakeholders, along with the service quality offered to the subscribers.

It will take four-five months’ time to bring this order into effect. The idea is to bring transparency and to ensure protection of consumer interest said TRAI officials