India’s broadcasting and telco regulator is setting tough new rules for cable operators across the nation.  The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has formally written to all MSOs with a list of new rules, some of which are already in place, but TRAI is now warning MSO’s and smaller local operators (LCO) that it  now expects its rules to be rigidly observed.

The list of rules requires MSO and LCO to have clear written agreements in place and which conform to TRAI’s interconnect agreements, with clear start and finish dates, revenue shares stated, settlement terms, processes for handling customer complaints, processes for inter-company disputes, and so forth.

A copy of the agreement must be lodged with TRAI within 15 days and a receipt obtained. TRAI warns that its list of requirements must be observed, and signals cannot be delivered to LCOs without an agreement in place.

LCOs must be registered with their local Post Office, and a receipt received covering the registration, and they are then required to enter into a written agreement with their supplying MSO. Similar rules and regulations are also spelt out for India’s thousands of LCO operators.

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