The broadcast regulator, TRAI, on Friday announced an increase of about 7 per cent in cable rates, both conditional access system notified and non-CAS areas in the country.

The increased tariffs would be applicable from January 1, 2009, TRAI said in a statement.

After the increase, a viewer would have to pay Rs 5.37 per channel in the conditional access system notified areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Earlier, the rate was Rs 5 per channel.

Viewers would also have to spend Rs 5 more for watching free-to-air channels. TRAI has increased tariff on basic tier services to Rs 82 from 77, in which a viewer gets 30 free-to-air channels.

The regulator increased cable rates for the non-CAS areas by seven per cent.

"It was felt necessary to provide for inflation-linked increase on the ceiling for different players of the delivery chains of cable TV services and accordingly 7 per cent increase has been provided based on whole sale price index in non-CAS areas," TRAI said in a statement.

However, the TRAI decreased the security deposits and rentals of the set top boxes observing fall in their price in last two years.

As per the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Amendment Order, 2008, now the cable operators would take security deposit of Rs 200 and Rs 750 and charge monthly rental of Rs 34 and Rs 22.

Earlier, it was Rs 250 and Rs 999 and monthly rental was Rs 45 and Rs 30.

"This would also help in popularising digital delivery of TV signals over cable network," TRAI said.