Cable operators, MSOs told to provide computerised bills to subscribers

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed local cable operators (LCOs) and multiple system operators (MSOs) to issue computerised bills to subscribers in certain areas of metropolitan cities, the I&B ministry clarified today.

''It has been brought to the notice of this ministry that in some areas of Phase I cities, computerised bills are not being provided to consumers,'' I&B minister Manish Tewari said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

According to TRAI regulations on service quality applicable to cable television areas, LCOS and MSOS are required to establish a subscriber management system wherein all the details of the subscribers along with their choice of services (ie channels, bouquets etc) are required to be maintained.

This would bring in addressability and consequently, complete transparency in the whole system.

This system also enables the subscribers to exercise their choice of services and budget their bills accordingly and also facilitates the MSOs to effectively manage their accounting and billing of the services rendered, according to TRAI.

''TRAI has issued necessary directions to the multi-system operators and local cable operators in this regard,'' he said.