Tata Sky, Sun Direct TV and Dish TV appear to have removed the extra Network Capacity Fee (NCF) on the base pack for subscribers, according to a report on TelecomTalk. Before you think
this means that the entire NCF of Rs 130 has been removed, remember this only relates to the extra NCF that applies after a user has more than 100 channels in their prescribed pack.
this means that the entire NCF of Rs 130 has been removed, remember this only relates to the extra NCF that applies after a user has more than 100 channels in their prescribed pack.
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Under TRAI’s new regulatory regime, the cable TV bill of users now has two components, the network capacity fee (NCF), which is Rs 130 for hundred channels and the cost of any paid channels or paid bouquets.
The first 100 channels attract NCF of Rs 130 + 18 per cent GST, which comes to Rs 153 in total. For users who choose more than 100 channels, the NCF is Rs 20 per slab 25 additional channels. So what has happened is that these three operators are offering more than 100 FTA (Free to Air) channels with the NCF limited to Rs 130+18 per cent GST.
Sun Direct NCF removed: What it means
First in the case of Sun Direct, the company has revoked NCF charges for all of its channels, says the report. Based the company’s website, it is offering a total of 140 channels in the back pack of Rs 130+18 per cent GST. The base pack also includes the 25DD channels, which are mandatory for all cable/DTH operators to provide.
According to the report, Sun Direct has removed NCF on all FTA (free to air) channels. This means that users can view as many FTA channels for just Rs 130 price band. Sun Direct subscribers will be able to watch as much as 330 channels the base rental of Rs 130+taxes, says the report.
Tata Sky NCF removed: What it means
The report also notes that in case of Tata Sky, the player has removed NCF on some channels, but these are limited. So users can add some channels to their list of 100 FTA channels, without incurring extra NCF. However, not all FTA channels will be exempt from this extra NCF.
Tata Sky had also announced add-on packs for users starting at Rs 5 per month, which offer some regional channels. The price of some of these packs also shows as Rs 0 per month, which means these are free channels that can be added as a pack, making it easier to users to add regional channels to their base packs.
