MUMBAI: Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) that had recently approached the Bombay High Court challenging the payment of entertainment tax, billing and the carriage fee has now approached the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to seek answers on the constitution of revenue share.

“While the TRAI says that there should be a revenue share between the multi system operators (MSOs) and last mile owners (LMOs) on the subscription fee the LMO collects from the consumer, is that the only revenue in this cable TV universe?” questions MCOF president Arvind Prabhoo.

According to Prabhoo, there should be clear definition of constitutes revenue. “Apart from subscription revenue, there is carriage fee revenue, advertising revenue and even activation revenue. So why it that these revenues are not shared amongst all the stakeholders of the cable TV system?” he asks.

“Who decides what revenue is?” questions Prabhoo.

With regards to this, a meeting has been called between the MSOs and MCOF by TRAI. “I had met N Parameswaran earlier this month and had discussed these issues with him. With regards to this, TRAI has decided to hold a meeting in Mumbai between MCOF and MSOs,” informs Prabhoo.

When Indiantelevision.com contacted TRAI principal advisor N Parameswaran he confirmed the meeting, but said that no particular date was yet decided. “We will be holding a meeting between the two in order to address issues of billing,” concludes Parameswaran.