To help consumers make an informed choice, Direct to Home (DTH) operators will now need to declare their current schemes on their websites.

Also, they cannot charge more than ₹450 as activation and installation charges and not more than ₹250 for visitation charges.

DTH operators should also declare prices of all types of Consumer Premises Equipment (CPEs), which includes set top box and dish antennae.

These are among the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) guidelines on the prescribed framework of commercial interoperability in its tariff order for DTH service providers.

The regulator said these guidelines will give a fillip to fair competition among DTH operators, discourage monopolistic practices and empower the subscriber. TRAI said DTH operators will need to mandatorily offer an outright purchase scheme for all types of CPEs on standalone basis. In the rental schemes, DTH operators can charge a specified one-time interest-free refundable security deposit, installation and activation charges from subscribers, during enrolment.

But, subscribers should be given an option to buy back or seek refund for CPEs in case of quitting the rental scheme and also get back the security deposit.

With six DTH players in the country, one DTH players’ CPE is usually not compatible with another operator. Therefore, when subscribers migrate to another platform or cable TV service, they need to invest in the set top box of another operator.

The regulator is of the view that consumer interest can be largely protected through the provision of commercial interoperability of CPEs and mandating transparent and upfront declaration of all charges and conditions by DTH operators.

“Commercial interoperability provides for an exit option to a subscriber in case he or she wishes to change the operator,” TRAI added.

“DTH operators may prescribe a lock-in period not exceeding six months for a subscriber to remain committed. Subscribers can surrender the CPE any time subject to levy certain charges that have been prescribed,” it added.