TDSAT gives 30 days to Tata Sky, IndiaCast to sign agreement

TDSAT gives 30 days to Tata Sky, IndiaCast to sign agreement

Next hearing of the case will happen on 22 January 2019

TDSAT

MUMBAI: Direct to home (DTH) operator Tata Sky and TV18-owned content distributor IndiaCast Media have got another 30 days from the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to enter into a content agreement under the ongoing legal spat between the two regarding a disconnection notice.

TDSAT has ordered that the parties should enter into an agreement either on negotiated terms or on RIO terms within a further period of 30 days.  The interim orders passed earlier continue till next date.

The matter has been posted under the same head on 22 January 2019.

This is the second time that Tata Sky and IndiaCast Media have asked for an extension to decide on a content agreement from TDSAT. During the earlier hearing in October, the parties had asked for more time to settle on an agreement. TDSAT had given them an additional 30 days notice to settle the matter.

Tata Sky had moved to TDSAT against the disconnection notice issued by IndiaCast, citing non-signing of the agreement, in September. The DTH operator had then sought an extension of the agreement, whose term had expired on 31 July, to be operative for a further period of three months.

The tribunal had directed the parties to either arrive at a negotiated agreement otherwise they must enter into an RIO based agreement in accordance with the regulations.