MUMBAI: Star India has discontinued services of its bouquet of channels to Asianet Satellite Communications, the largest cable TV network in Kerala.
 

The signals were switched off on 7 May due to non payment of dues. “We gave them a month’s notice as per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) requirement,” says a Star India spokesperson.

Star had earlier moved the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against Asianet. The case is posted for further hearing on 16 May. The multi system operator (MSO) in Kerala has already paid Star Rs 60 million after the TDSAT directive to pay up at Rs 50 lakh a month.
 
 

“The TDSAT asked us to pay Rs 50 lakh a month. We have paid Rs 60 million on 22 April as per the directive of the Tdsat. The case is set for further hearing on 16 May,” says Asianet chief executive officer Mahesh Kumar.

Star admits it has received payment from Asianet, but says there is still an outstanding amount which is yet to be cleared. “Asianet has not paid us the full amount. So we decided to switch off signals,” says the Star spokesperson.

Star and Asianet have been engaged in conflict over the outstandings for the last six months. “The TDSAT has not been functioning after chairperson Justice DP Wadhava completed his term on 4 May. We are waiting for the final verdict," says Kumar.