TRAI Approves Interoperability: Switch Your DTH Service Without Changing Set Box

Come December, and you will have the power to change your television service providers without having to invest in another Set Top Box (STB) as per a new guideline by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

TRAI is scheduled to launch the process for subscribers to shift (or port) to new distribution platform operators (DPOs). We are likely to launch the new portability regime by December this year, TRAI Chairman R S Sharma, told Economic Times’ Brand Equity. 

Saying that interoperability in a product is a technology adopted in every arena, Sharma further told the publication, “Open systems are going to be the future. Entire back-end of Aadhaar has been developed on open source software except bio-metric de-duplication system.”

Sharma also cited a recently released report which states that interportibility is one of the prime factors behind the boom in India’s mobile phone industry.

“Many apps or services are being accessed primarily on smartphones now. Prevalence of the open OS has also facilitated smartphones supporting multilingual capabilities and also led to the enhancement of the Skill India Program by the government,” Pankaj Mohindroo told the publication. He is the Chairman of the Indian Cellular and Electronic Association Chairman.

Currently, TV viewers have to buy a new connection along with the STB if they want to change the broadcaster, thus investing more money. This often discourages the subscriber to move to another operator even if there are problems with the services provided. Sharma added that since customers pay for a set top box, they should own those boxes.

Once the new guideline is implemented, consumers will save money as they will only have to change the SIM card, as they would do for a mobile phone.

Also Read:  TRAI’s New Order to Kick In on Dec 29: Pay Only For TV Channels You Want to Watch!

Making it more feasible for the customers, TRAI has avoided a complication process when it comes to making a shift. All a customer will have to do is send an SMS and fill out an application form.

To know more about STB Interporability, visit here.

Featured Image Source: Pixabay

(Edited by Shruti Singhal)

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