Cable operators told to refund STB installation fee in 2 weeks

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Mahendragarh, February 1

Cable operators will now have to pay the price for not complying with the directives of the district administrative regarding installation of set top boxes (STB) under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act.

Narnaul SDM Vivek Kalia today directed the cable operators to refund the STB activation charges to the subscribers within two weeks after deducting the security deposits (refundable) as mentioned in the tariff package.

He said licences of the operators would be cancelled if they fail to refund the amount within the stipulated period.

Sources said action was taken after a group of local subscribers filed a complaint against the cable operators for not adhering to the guidelines of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on charging the fees for the STB.

“The cable operators are charging Rs 1,300 to 1,700 in the name of STB and its activation. The charges are not only too high but also against the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act,” said the subscribers.

Meanwhile, Kalia said, “The cable operators are bound to follow the TRAI directives which do not allow them to receive installation, activation, smart card, repair and maintenance charges from the subscribers.”

Even, the operators could charge the STB rent on monthly basis for the first three years instead of taking the whole fee at the time of installation, he added.