Get ready to pay more on cable connection across the city. In a sudden move, the cable operators have increased the cable tariff between 27 per cent and 30 per cent per cable connection. The hike is contrary to the directions of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which has categorically stated that the entire rise will not be imposed at once since consumers may find the increase too drastic but the cable operators have started charging 27 per cent to 30 per cent more per cable connection from consumers.
This means, the monthly rent of cable connection has been increased up to Rs 50 per connection. Those who were paying Rs 200 will have to pay Rs 250 from April while those are paying Rs 300, will have to pay Rs 350 per connection. As per TRAI directions, cable subscription rate should not be more than 15 per cent in 2014. There are 2,406 cable operators and 30 lakh cable connections in Delhi. This is the fourth rise since the order came into force on October 1, 2004, after the inflationary rises of seven per cent in 2005, four per cent in 2006 and seven per cent in 2009.
A cable operator said on condition of anonymity that there was no hike in the cable tariff for the past five years and this will not impact consumers. There are 30 lakh cable connections in the national Capital. Ashwini Gupta, a resident of Malviya Nagar, said that cable operator has increased the tariff up to Rs 50 per connection from April onward. On the other hand, cable operators put the blame on the telecom regulator. Roop Sharma of Cable Operators Federation of India blamed the TRAI for hike in cable subscription in the national Capital.
Terming it as a big conspiracy of Multi-System Operators (MSO), Sharma said TRAI is responsible for cable tariff hike. “The TRAI is not working in the consumers best interest. They have increased the tariff arbitrarily and without consultation. The rates have been increased to please a few vertical integrated broadcasters and multi-system operators, which is not fair,” said Sharma, adding that earlier in the analog regime, one house was considered as one connection.