The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Wednesday has pushed back implementation of new tariff regime, also known as NTO 2.0, to April 2022, saying there was demand from industry on this.

According to TRAI, many service providers and their associations such as broadcasters, DTH Operators, MSOs and other DPOs etc., wherein they have raised certain practical issues in terms of time constraints in creating an ecosystem about the implementation of the new framework in the system and migrate the consumers to the new tariff scheme.

The Authority after considering the concerns expressed by various stakeholders and especially concerning the time frame for migration of subscribers and taking their choice is of the view that paucity of time should not come in the way of smooth implementation of the New Regulatory Framework 2020 in seeking informed choices of more than 150 million pay television consumers.

Therefore, sufficient time should be given to the service providers to upgrade their IT systems and incorporate various channels/bouquets before offering the same to consumers.

As the view of the complexities and magnitude of processes involved with the experience, it would be prudent that sufficient time should be given for migration of consumers to New Regulatory Framework 2020 to avoid any inconvenience to consumers.

Sufficient time for exercising an informed choice is the basic premise of the New Regulatory Framework 2020 which will ensure easy implementation of the New Regulatory Framework.

All the distributors of television channels will offer and obtain the option for the subscription of new bouquets or channels from the subscribers in compliance with the provisions of New Regulatory Framework 2020 from February 1 to March 31, 2022.