MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated DPOs to allow consumers to also use the TRAI app or portal for their subscription-related updates. This includes accessing channels/ bouquets available, ease in the selection of channels and bouquets (addition/ deletion) of their choice, viewing subscription and modifying the same through the TRAI app /portal by sharing APIs with TRAI.

The authority is in the process of finalising the API specifications which will be communicated separately to the DPOs. DPOs are to share/exchange the information through API with the TRAI whenever the authority asks for the same for ensuring integration with the TRAI's APP or portal.

In a release, TRAI stated that during the consultative process of TRAI’s Draft Regulation (Second Amendment) to The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Addressable Systems) Regulations 2017, stakeholders were generally of the view that they have no objection/hesitation in sharing their APIs with TRAI as their data is secure with the regulator and there will not be issues like leakage/misuse of consumer information and privacy of data.

The authority has issued the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Addressable Systems) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2019 (6 of 2019). TRAI's prevailing regulations/orders for the television and broadcasting sector gave freedom to consumers to select television channels they want to watch.

To ensure proper implementation of the new framework, TRAI has made a number of efforts such as a series of meetings with Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs), publicity in electronic and news media, interactions with customer groups etc. Despite this, TRAI was in receipt of several complaints from the consumers that they are not able to choose the TV channels conveniently on the web portal/ apps of the DPOs.