MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India could move the apex court challenging the Madras High Court’s status quo order on draft tariff rules for the broadcast sector that stopped it from issuing any further guidelines.

The high court recently stayed TRAI's right to decide TV tariffs. On 23 December, the court ordered that TRAI maintain status quo with regard to any tariff orders or regulations for Rs 54,225 crore Indian television industry. 

Freezing of TRAI powers to decide television prices meant better programming and variety for the audience, ease of doing business and improved margins for the second largest TV market in the world.

The order had come on a petition filed by Star India and Vijay TV on the ground that the TRAI orders are in conflict with the Copyright Act 1957. As a result of this court order and pending the full hearing of the case, TRAI would not be able to pass any guideline for issues such as broadcast tariff, broadcast interconnect, and quality of services.

Also Read:    Maintain status quo on broadcast guidelines, Madras HC tells TRAI

Also Read:    DAS 4 deadline extended to 31 Mar