TDSAT SEMINAR Chennai 30 th August 2008 “Dispute Resolution Scenario in Telecom and Broadcasting Sector” Venue : Hotel Park Sheraton

BY: K.Murugan, BY: K.Murugan, General Secretary-FEDCOT (Federation of Consumer Organisations Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry) General Secretary-FEDCOT (Federation of Consumer Organisations Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry) Telecom consumer THE KING ?

Shortfalls in Telecom sector Shortfalls in Telecom sector Unsolicited calls-DND registry, ineffective. Unsolicited calls-DND registry, ineffective. Inaccurate billing Inaccurate billing Incoming promo calls – a burden Incoming promo calls – a burden Wireless basic phone-no provision for fax and dial-up options. Wireless basic phone-no provision for fax and dial-up options. Exorbitant Penal interest for delayed payments. Exorbitant Penal interest for delayed payments.

Short falls in Broad casting sector FM Radio-Spreads obscene messages FM Radio-Spreads obscene messages Advertisement code (section 7 of cable TV rules 1995) not followed. Advertisement code (section 7 of cable TV rules 1995) not followed. Provides incorrect/biased news. Provides incorrect/biased news. Political/Religious back up of channels should be eradicated. Political/Religious back up of channels should be eradicated.

Short falls in cable sector Monopoly Cable Operator Monopoly Cable Operator Unprofessional approach of cable operators. Unprofessional approach of cable operators. CAS area-basic tier-charged extra. CAS area-basic tier-charged extra. Non-CAS in up country is charged heavily. Non-CAS in up country is charged heavily. Poor TV signals in rural areas. Poor TV signals in rural areas. Disconnection of TV signals for dispute between service providers-consumer interest affected. Disconnection of TV signals for dispute between service providers-consumer interest affected.

Short fall in Dispute Resolution Consumer forums helpless in handling telecom issues. Consumer forums helpless in handling telecom issues. Ignorance of TRAI regulations by service providers themselves. Ignorance of TRAI regulations by service providers themselves. Authorised officers under Cable TV act 1995-unware that they are authorised. Authorised officers under Cable TV act 1995-unware that they are authorised. In spite of Bar civil courts entertaining TRAI matters. In spite of Bar civil courts entertaining TRAI matters. TDSAT at New Delhi-beyond reach for us. TDSAT at New Delhi-beyond reach for us.

Suggestions-Telecom A separate Telecom Ombudsman A separate Telecom Ombudsman As by BSNL, all service providers to conduct telephone adalats. As by BSNL, all service providers to conduct telephone adalats. Make BSNL adalats more effective. Make BSNL adalats more effective. Extend telephone directory services to private service providers too. Extend telephone directory services to private service providers too. Make nodal officers accountable. Make nodal officers accountable.

Suggestions-B&CS “Must carry” clause for all regional FTA channels. “Must carry” clause for all regional FTA channels. Nodal officer/Appellate authority should be extended to broadcasters and MSO’s. Nodal officer/Appellate authority should be extended to broadcasters and MSO’s. Written agreement should be mandatory to consumer and cable operator (as a franchisee of MSO and broadcaster) Written agreement should be mandatory to consumer and cable operator (as a franchisee of MSO and broadcaster) Digitalisation of cable sector should be accelerated. Digitalisation of cable sector should be accelerated.

Suggestions-Dispute Resolution Circuit bench of TDSAT at Chennai. Circuit bench of TDSAT at Chennai. Suo-motto complaints should be taken by TDSAT. Suo-motto complaints should be taken by TDSAT. TDSAT shall train a panel of advocates in State Legal Services Authority. TDSAT shall train a panel of advocates in State Legal Services Authority. Violators of regulations should be seriously dealt with. Violators of regulations should be seriously dealt with.

THANK YOU