Throwing the ball back in the government's court, TRAI on Friday favoured status quo on the existing cable set-up across the country, including tariffs.

The regulator, which submitted its recommendations to the information and broadcasting ministry, suggested a three-model system for cable delivery, one of which includes mandatory conditional access system (CAS).

Apparently aware of the controversy which surrounded CAS as well as coming up of new technologies like DTH and Broadband, it said that state governments and local stakeholders need be consulted before transition to any new system.

On the issue of pricing, TRAI favoured maintaining the Rs 72 per month package for the basic service tier which comprises free-to-air channels, till new rates are decided upon.

It said no changes should be affected and the freeze should continue as per the rates prevailing on December 26, 2003. "The ceiling shall be reviewed from time to time to make adjustments for inflation," TRAI chairman Pradip Baijal said, adding that tariffs are expected to go up from December 26 this year after a one-year review.

On the issue of new pay channels introduced after this cut-off date and the free-to-air channels converting to pay thereafter, TRAI asked the broadcasters to furnish information in respect of charges for these channels as per a prescribed format.