Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has published “Consumer Handbook on Broadcasting and Cable Services” and placed it on its website. TRAI has claimed that “this is to safeguard the interests of consumers and empowering them”. While TRAI has been issuing guidelines, regulations, directions and orders on various consumer centric issues from time to time, it felt that it is apt to enable the consumers and consumer organizations to take advantage of these measures and as such a handbook of this sort is essential as an awareness initiative.
TRAI has notified a new comprehensive regulatory framework for broadcasting and cable services in March 2017, which had been effective since 29th December 2018. The new framework has played an instrumental role in the growth of the broadcasting and distribution sector providing a level playing field for all players and choice in the hand of consumers. “This handbook will help to create awareness amongst TV subscribers about their rights and freedom they are being granted by TRAI through the implementation of this framework across the country”, TRAI said in its foreword to the handbook.
The contents of the handbook has been divided into 5 subjects : (A) Broadcasting Services in India (B) Obtaining TV Services (C) Tariff and Billing (D)Whom to Contact for Information and Complaint Redressal and (E) Consumer Education Initiatives of TRAI
The electronic version of the book is available on TRAI website and it is intended for free distribution to consumers and the registered consumer organizations at the consumer outreach programs and seminars organized by TRAI.
