Implement must-provide regime: Trai

As for a solution to the controversies over conditional access system CAS 8212; arbitrary pricing of channels, problems of broadcasters vs cable operators vs multi-service operators and the consumers 8212; TRAI suggested that it was not regulating anything. It was only suggesting. What is likely to happen is a hike in cable rates as TRAI said price would be reviewed from time to time to make adjustments for inflation.

8220;The current ceiling, which saw a prize freeze as per rates prevailing on December 26, 2003, will be reviewed from time to time to make adjustments for inflation,8221; TRAI said in its recommendations on broadcasting and cable services.

In its recommendations submitted to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, the regulator suggested acceptable models without recommending any forcefully.

8220;Model-I provides for the existing system with all new pay channels after a notified date designated as premium channels to come via a set top box, Model-II provides for the use of traps as well as the condition that all new pay channels after a notified date will come via a set top box, as in model I while model-III is based on the presumption that addressability through CAS is introduced by a legislative mandate,8221; it said.

TRAI has said to maintain the sanctity of the ceiling, it was decided that pay channels launched after December 26, 2003, should not be allowed to become part of bouquet of channels being provided on that date.

TRAI chief Pradip Baijal clarified that an addressable system like CAS must be introduced gradually and there was 8220;no all-India solution8221; to the cable TV problem.