TRAI’s ‘Best Fit Plan’ For Subscribers Haven’t Selected Channels Yet

New Delhi: The new broadcast tariff regime which came into vogue from February 1 has been marred with complaints from subscribers. Consumers have taken to social media and other platforms accusing lack of transparency and cooperation from the operators to higher bills post migration.

Taking note of it, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has now instructed all DTH and cable TV service providers to offer ‘best fit plans’ to all subscribers.

Customised according to a household’s TV viewing pattern and languages spoken, the best fit plan may soon become your default plan till the time you exercise a choice.

In the latest statement issued by TRAI, the authority has requested all service providers to create best fit plans for subscribers who have not exercised their options according to the new regulatory regime.

It said that a few cases have been reported recently where pay channels of subscribers who have not exercised the options have been deactivated. “Such incidents are causing hardship to the subscribers,” it said in a statement.

What is the best fit plan?

To be launched soon by service providers, the best fit plan shall be designed based on which TV channels and genres you have been watching so far, besides the languages you speak.

What are the special features of the Best Fit Plan?

The plan will offer only those channels according to the subscriber’s preferences. For example, if you as a subscriber prefer to watch Bengali channels apart from Hindi and English channels, the plan will offer the prominent channels from all the genres.

—The plan will offer an equivalent or even lower bill than the existing TV bill.

What is the price of the best fit plan?

Unlike the base pack of Rs130, TRAI has not defined the price of the best fit plan. However, it has issued instructions that operators should ensure that the cost of the best fit plan cannot be more than the existing tariff plan of the subscriber.

What if you don’t like the best fit plan? 

You can change your best fit plan anytime until 31 March. DTH or cable TV service providers will have to convert their best fit plans to the desired pack within 72 hours. After March, you may have to wait until the next billing cycle.