India’s BSNL petitions regulator to intervene on broadcast channel pricing

May 1, 2008 – Indian state-owned telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has requested that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) intervenes on the high pricing of TV channels offered by broadcasters to IPTV providers.

BSNL feels that the prices charged by broadcasters for their content are holding back its own nascent IPTV platform, according to local sources.  These are alleged to be up to three times as high as prices charged to cable and DTH operators.

“We are aware that there is a need to look into the price for channels on the emerging IPTV platform,” said SK Gupta, advisor to TRAI.  “There is an issue, but that will come after the regulatory issues have been frozen.  The consultation process for IPTV is on, and let that conclude before we look into the pricing from channels.”

A similar process occurred during the launch of DTH services in the country, when TRAI eventually intervened to compel broadcasters to negotiate with DTH service providers and agree to a tariff structure.