TRAI seeks views of CAS stakeholders on revenue sharing

New Delhi, June 12 (UNI) In pursuit of compliance with the court order for implementation of the Conditional Access System (CAS), TRAI today released the proposed standard forms of Interconnect Agreements between Broadcasters and Multi System Operators and Multi System Operators and Local Cable Operators.

The Delhi High Court had on March three directed that CAS be implemented in the three metros of Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. The court decision had come on a petition filed by a group of Multi- System Operators.

TRAI said that subsequent to this order, a series of meetings were taken by the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with the various stakeholders to work out a plan of action for implementation of CAS.

In these meetings, the stakeholders had expressed a view that there should be a standard form of interconnect agreement between Broadcasters and Multi System Operators and between Multi System Operators and Local Cable Operators and TRAI should formulate the same in consultation with stakeholders.

Taking note of these suggestions TRAI said' it has been decided to proceed with the process of consultation to finalise the Interconnection Agreements for CAS areas. Accordingly, a draft of the standard forms has been placed on the website of TRAI today. The draft agreements contain a number of sections and provisions. One among these are the provisions relating to revenue sharing. The actual revenue share percentages have been left blank in the draft and are proposed to be filled up after getting comments of the stakeholders.

While specific comments are invited on the following issues related to the revenue sharing agreements, views are also invited on any other provisions that stakeholders may like to comment upon: should there be a uniform revenue share percentage between all Broadcasters&Multi System Operators and between Multi System Operators&Local Cable Operators? If yes, what should be the revenue share percentages between Broadcasters&Multi System Operators and between Multi System Operators&Local Cable Operators? What is the methodology, data and principles on which these are based.

Should the revenue share percentages be different for different broadcasters? If so should the rates for different broadcasters prevailing in Chennai be adopted in other CAS notified areas? Is there any other alternative method of arriving at the revenue share percentages between Broadcasters&Multi System Operators and between Multi System Operators&Local Cable Operators? The percentages should be indicated in the response along with the methodology adopted for working out the percentages.

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