1. The Cable TV Operators shall execute a draft model standard interconnection agreement which is prepared at the moment and execute the same as it is within a period of two days. The Registration Authorities shall give full cooperation for registration of the said agreement.
2. It is clarified that this agreement is executed between the parties as a stop gap arrangement and will be subject to further negotiation, which is going on between the parties, and subject to further orders and directions given by this Court in respect of some of the clauses mentioned in the said agreement. All other contentions of the Petitioners and the Respondents are kept open. The Multi System Operators shall forthwith supply the Set Top Boxes to the local cable operators upon the payment of the costs of the Set Top Boxes and licence fees as per the agreement. In view of this, it is not necessary to postpone the deadline of 31st December, 2015. MSOs and the Local Cable Operators shall ensure that all the customers will get the Set Top Boxes in time and if necessary, they will work overtime - day and night for supplying these Set Top Boxes before 31 December, 2015.
3. Intervention application filed by India Broadcasting Federation is allowed. The Petitioners are directed to add them as Party Respondents and also supply the copy of the petition and other necessary documents.
4. We, therefore, direct the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to finalize the draft in accordance with the request made by the Cable Operators and MSOs by the next date i.e 4th January, 2016, so that in future a standard format of the agreement can be executed between MSOs and Local Cable Operators through out the country. It is clarified that parties to execute an agreement, but, registration of the same may not be done immediately and that will not come in the way of setting up the Set Top Boxes. Agreement may be submitted to the Nodal Officer.