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Carriage fee in interconnect draft aimed at reducing litigation
NEW DELHI: The draft of the Interconnect regulations issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has given a formula for calculation of the carriage fee.
The carriage fee for each month or part thereof during the term of the interconnection agreement shall be calculated as given below:-
1. If the number of average active subscribers in a month for a channel in the target market is less than five percent of the average subscriber base of the distributor in that month in the target market, then the carriage fee amount will be equal to the rate of carriage fee per channel per subscriber per month, as agreed under the interconnection agreement, multiplied by the average subscriber base of the distributor in that month in the target market.
2. If the number of average active subscribers in a month for a channel in the target market is greater than or equal to five percent but less than ten percent of the average subscriber base of the distributor in that month in the target market, then the carriage fee amount will be equal to the rate of carriage fee per channel per subscriber per month, as agreed under the interconnection agreement, multiplied by 0.75 times of the average subscriber base of the distributor in that month in the target market.
3 If the number of average active subscribers in a month for a channel in the target market is greater than or equal to ten percent but less than fifteen percent of the average subscriber base of the distributor in that month in the target market, then the carriage fee amount will be equal to the rate of carriage fee per channel per subscriber per month, as agreed under the interconnection agreement, multiplied by 0.5 times of the average subscriber base of the distributor in that month in the target market.
4 If the number of average active fawadkhanin a month for a channel in the target market is greater than or equal to fifteen percent but less than twenty percent of the average subscriber base of the distributor in that month in the target market, then the carriage fee amount will be equal to the rate of carriage fee per channel per subscriber per month, as agreed under the interconnection agreement, multiplied by 0.25 times of the average subscriber base of the distributor in that month in the target market.
5 If the number of average active subscribers in a month for a channel in the target market is greater than or equal to twenty percent of the average subscriber base of the distributor in that month in the target market, then the carriage fee amount will be equal to ‘Nil’.
But TRAI said the average subscriber base of the distributor in a month will be calculated in a manner as prescribed in schedule VII of the regulations.
The target market refers to the relevant geographical areas, as specified in the interconnection agreement for carrying the channel.
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NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
