TDSAT sets date for hearing in ZEE-Turner, Asianet tiff

The Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has admitted distribution company ZEE-Turner’s appeal on a recent Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) directive that asked the company to restore signals to Asianet Cable Network in Kerala. The Tribunal has set the next date for hearing on February 1, 2005.

Following ZEE-Turner’s appeal on January 17 against the TRAI order, TDSAT initiated the first judicial proceedings involving the respondents TRAI and Asianet and the petitioners ZEE-Turner.

Post the first hearing, TDSAT has now instructed Asianet to file written submissions within a week’s time, and ZEE-Turner to file a counter reply to that before the next date of hearing.

ZEE-Turner has charged Asianet with unauthorized distribution of signals and under-declaration of subscriber base that has resulted in huge financial losses. Asianet’s large outstanding towards ZEE-Turner amounts to Rs 42 crore that is inclusive of contractual dues and under-declared subscription charges.

Since December last year, over half a million homes and establishments in Kerala have been missing out on their favourite soaps, movies and toons as well as a slew of exciting new shows as a result of this stalemate.

The ZEE-Turner bouquet in Kerala is also available through independent operators in many cities and also through the Dish TV platform, a ZEE venture, that gives viewers an option of switching over to the platform of their choice to get their favourite channels.

© 2005 agencyfaqs!