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Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
AIDCF Calls on MIB to Reject TRAI's Proposal on DTH License Fee Reduction
Urges Government to Uphold Competitive Balance and Spectrum Equity in Broadcasting Sector NEW DELHI, July 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has submitted a formal representation to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) opposing the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) recommendation to reduce and eventually waive the license fee currently levied on Direct-to-Home (DTH) operators. AIDCF, India's apex body representing Digital Multi-System Operators (MSOs), has expressed serious concerns over the far-reaching consequences of this proposal. If accepted, it would deepen the regulatory imbalance between DTH and digital cable operators and jeopardize the viability of over 880 MSOs and 1.6 lakh Local Cable Operators (LCOs) nationwide. The potential fallout could also impact over 10 lakh livelihoods directly tied to the cable TV distribution sector. 'This move threatens the very foundation of equitable competition in the broadcasting distribution space. Spectrum for DTH is already allocated administratively—without auction or cost—whereas cable operators continue to bear substantial Right of Way (RoW) charges and heavy capital expenditure on underground infrastructure. Any waiver of license fees would not only distort the market but also violate the principle of regulatory neutrality,' said an AIDCF spokesperson. Reducing license fee for DTH will accelerate subscriber churn from digital cable TV operators, who as per AIDCF, are already struggling under financial duress due other unregulated platforms like Free Dish, FAST TV, OTTs and Digital DPOs. AIDCF has emphasized that the regulatory framework must reflect the full commercial value of the spectrum allocated to DTH operators. Instead of reducing or waiving the fee, the Federation recommends the development of a more balanced mechanism that ensures fair cost recovery from all platform providers, in line with spectrum valuation norms. AIDCF has urged the Ministry to reject TRAI's recommendation and maintain a level playing field that protects the economic viability of all stakeholders in the broadcasting distribution chain. Photo – –
The Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
AIDCF Calls on MIB to Reject TRAI's Proposal on DTH License Fee Reduction
Urges Government to Uphold Competitive Balance and Spectrum Equity in Broadcasting Sector NEW DELHI, July 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has submitted a formal representation to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) opposing the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) recommendation to reduce and eventually waive the license fee currently levied on Direct-to-Home (DTH) operators. AIDCF, India's apex body representing Digital Multi-System Operators (MSOs), has expressed serious concerns over the far-reaching consequences of this proposal. If accepted, it would deepen the regulatory imbalance between DTH and digital cable operators and jeopardize the viability of over 880 MSOs and 1.6 lakh Local Cable Operators (LCOs) nationwide. The potential fallout could also impact over 10 lakh livelihoods directly tied to the cable TV distribution sector. "This move threatens the very foundation of equitable competition in the broadcasting distribution space. Spectrum for DTH is already allocated administratively—without auction or cost—whereas cable operators continue to bear substantial Right of Way (RoW) charges and heavy capital expenditure on underground infrastructure. Any waiver of license fees would not only distort the market but also violate the principle of regulatory neutrality," said an AIDCF spokesperson. Reducing license fee for DTH will accelerate subscriber churn from digital cable TV operators, who as per AIDCF, are already struggling under financial duress due other unregulated platforms like Free Dish, FAST TV, OTTs and Digital DPOs. AIDCF has emphasized that the regulatory framework must reflect the full commercial value of the spectrum allocated to DTH operators. Instead of reducing or waiving the fee, the Federation recommends the development of a more balanced mechanism that ensures fair cost recovery from all platform providers, in line with spectrum valuation norms. AIDCF has urged the Ministry to reject TRAI's recommendation and maintain a level playing field that protects the economic viability of all stakeholders in the broadcasting distribution chain. Photo - Logo - (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AIDCF Calls on MIB to Reject TRAI's Proposal on DTH License Fee Reduction
Urges Government to Uphold Competitive Balance and Spectrum Equity in Broadcasting Sector NEW DELHI, July 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has submitted a formal representation to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) opposing the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) recommendation to reduce and eventually waive the license fee currently levied on Direct-to-Home (DTH) operators. AIDCF, India's apex body representing Digital Multi-System Operators (MSOs), has expressed serious concerns over the far-reaching consequences of this proposal. If accepted, it would deepen the regulatory imbalance between DTH and digital cable operators and jeopardize the viability of over 880 MSOs and 1.6 lakh Local Cable Operators (LCOs) nationwide. The potential fallout could also impact over 10 lakh livelihoods directly tied to the cable TV distribution sector. "This move threatens the very foundation of equitable competition in the broadcasting distribution space. Spectrum for DTH is already allocated administratively—without auction or cost—whereas cable operators continue to bear substantial Right of Way (RoW) charges and heavy capital expenditure on underground infrastructure. Any waiver of license fees would not only distort the market but also violate the principle of regulatory neutrality," said an AIDCF spokesperson. Reducing license fee for DTH will accelerate subscriber churn from digital cable TV operators, who as per AIDCF, are already struggling under financial duress due other unregulated platforms like Free Dish, FAST TV, OTTs and Digital DPOs. AIDCF has emphasized that the regulatory framework must reflect the full commercial value of the spectrum allocated to DTH operators. Instead of reducing or waiving the fee, the Federation recommends the development of a more balanced mechanism that ensures fair cost recovery from all platform providers, in line with spectrum valuation norms. AIDCF has urged the Ministry to reject TRAI's recommendation and maintain a level playing field that protects the economic viability of all stakeholders in the broadcasting distribution chain. Photo - - View original content to download multimedia:
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AIDCF urges Centre to reject TRAI's proposal to reduce DTH license fee
All India Digital Cable Federation ( AIDCF ) has written a letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, reiterating its concerns around the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's proposals to reduce the license fee paid by DTH operators . In February 2025, TRAI reiterated its earlier proposal, made in the Recommendations on License Fee and Policy Matters of DTH Services , dated 21 August 2023, to reduce the DTH license fee from the current 8 per cent to 3 per cent, with a further plan to phase it out entirely by 2026-27. In their letter this June to the Ministry, AIDCF argued that any reduction or waiver of license fee for DTH operators, despite their reliance on free spectrum, would deepen this inequity between the cable TV operators and DTH operators. "This move would also further exacerbate the loss to the public exchequer," they argued in the letter to the government. Currently, spectrum is allotted to DTH operators in Ku band on administrative basis - Free of cost. According to AIDCF, the DTH operators are paying license fee because spectrum was bundled with license fee on AGR in order to avoid initial capex burden on the sector. In their letter, AIDCF also argued that DTH operators already enjoy structural and commercial advantages over cable TV operators. "Unlike DTH operator's free spectrum, Cable TV operators incur substantial cost over ROW (Right of Way charges) which is up to Rs 3,000 per pole per year besides permission charges to be paid to local authorities for overhead and underground cables. The Cable TV operators also incur a CAPEX of Rs 8 lakh per km for underground cabling besides annual and regular maintenance of Overhead and Underground Cabling of those deployed cables," the letter read. Additionally, for the acquisition of each customer, a Cable TV multi-system operator (MSO) and local cable operator (LCO) have to incur approximately Rs 5,000 per customer as capital expenditure, while DTH operators face minimal incremental capital expenditure spending for new customers, and in addition, no sunk infrastructure costs in case of churn, AIDCF noted. "To ensure fairness and prevent further regulatory arbitrage in favour of DTH operators, the license fee on DTH services should not be reduced or eliminated. Instead, the regulatory framework should include mechanisms to recover the full cost of the spectrum assigned to DTH. Such measures would align with principles of equity, sustain government revenue, and maintain a level playing field across service providers," the AIDCF letter read. Any reduction in the license fee for DTH operators will not only destabilise the market but also jeopardise the livelihoods of nearly 10 lakh people directly dependent on the cable TV industry, cable operators asserted, reiterating their demand to "reject" the TRAI recommendation to reduce or eliminate the DTH license fee.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
All India Digital Cable Federation urges Centre to reject TRAI's proposal to reduce DTH license fee
All India Digital Cable Federation ( AIDCF ) has written a letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, reiterating its concerns around the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's proposals to reduce the license fee paid by DTH operators . In February 2025, TRAI reiterated its earlier proposal, made in the Recommendations on License Fee and Policy Matters of DTH Services , dated 21 August 2023, to reduce the DTH license fee from the current 8 per cent to 3 per cent, with a further plan to phase it out entirely by 2026-27. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Healthcare Public Policy Data Science MCA Management PGDM Technology Degree Artificial Intelligence Finance Operations Management Data Science others Data Analytics Project Management Design Thinking MBA healthcare Product Management Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Others CXO Leadership Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details In their letter this June to the Ministry, AIDCF argued that any reduction or waiver of license fee for DTH operators, despite their reliance on free spectrum, would deepen this inequity between the cable TV operators and DTH operators. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Satiwali: 1 Trick to Reduce Belly Fat? Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo "This move would also further exacerbate the loss to the public exchequer," they argued in the letter to the government. Currently, spectrum is allotted to DTH operators in Ku band on administrative basis - Free of cost. According to AIDCF, the DTH operators are paying license fee because spectrum was bundled with license fee on AGR in order to avoid initial capex burden on the sector. Live Events In their letter, AIDCF also argued that DTH operators already enjoy structural and commercial advantages over cable TV operators. "Unlike DTH operator's free spectrum, Cable TV operators incur substantial cost over ROW (Right of Way charges) which is up to Rs 3,000 per pole per year besides permission charges to be paid to local authorities for overhead and underground cables. The Cable TV operators also incur a CAPEX of Rs 8 lakh per km for underground cabling besides annual and regular maintenance of Overhead and Underground Cabling of those deployed cables," the letter read. Additionally, for the acquisition of each customer, a Cable TV multi-system operator (MSO) and local cable operator (LCO) have to incur approximately Rs 5,000 per customer as capital expenditure, while DTH operators face minimal incremental capital expenditure spending for new customers, and in addition, no sunk infrastructure costs in case of churn, AIDCF noted. "To ensure fairness and prevent further regulatory arbitrage in favour of DTH operators, the license fee on DTH services should not be reduced or eliminated. Instead, the regulatory framework should include mechanisms to recover the full cost of the spectrum assigned to DTH. Such measures would align with principles of equity, sustain government revenue, and maintain a level playing field across service providers," the AIDCF letter read. Any reduction in the license fee for DTH operators will not only destabilise the market but also jeopardise the livelihoods of nearly 10 lakh people directly dependent on the cable TV industry, cable operators asserted, reiterating their demand to "reject" the TRAI recommendation to reduce or eliminate the DTH license fee.
