(13 April 2009 10:45 pm)

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has asked cable TV operators to stick to Trai's tariff rates in non-Cas areas, which vary between Rs 132-260 a month.

Broadcasters also can't hike tariffs by more than 7 per cent for cable services in the country and will have to offer channels on a la carte basis.

A bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan said, “The Trai’s tariff for cable TV services in non-CAS areas which was in existence till being rejected by Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat) will continue till 30 April. And status quo will continue till then.”

Earlier, the apex court had asked broadcasters to work out some interim arrangement till Trai completes its study to reframe the new tariff order within 4-6 months.

On 4 October 2007, Trai had issued a circular proposing a price band of Rs 132-260 for cable services based on a classification of cities and the number of pay channels provided by the multi-system operators.

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