TRAI releases Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters’
Telecom Regulatory Authority of
India (TRAI) has today issued the Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory framework
for Ground-based Broadcasters’.
The
Guidelines issued by MIB from time to time for Uplinking and Down linking of
Satellite Television channels in India, containing the terms and conditions for
TV broadcasting services, make it mandatory for the broadcasters to use
satellite medium i.e. uplinking and down linking of television channels through
satellite, for providing their channels to the Distribution Platform Operators
(DPOs).
The
advancement of technology has made it feasible for the broadcasters to provide
their television channels to DPOs terrestrially also i.e. using ground-based
technologies. Like traditional TV channels, which are uplinked and downlinked
through satellite, the terrestrially transmitted channels may also be carried
on multiple DPO networks simultaneously and the DPOs can retransmit them on
commercial terms to the subscribers. Therefore, there is a need to have a regulatory
framework enabling use of ground-based technologies.
TRAI
had forwarded its recommendations on Regulatory Framework for Platform Services
to MIB on 19.11.2014, which included certain recommendations related to
‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based broadcasters’.
In
this regard, vide its letter dated 22.5.2024, MIB has, inter-alia stated that
the recommendations in relation to regulation of platform services have been
examined and the guidelines for the same have been issued with the approval of
the Competent Authority on 30.11.2022. MIB has further mentioned that during
the course of the examination of the recommendations of TRAI for the Ground
Based Broadcasters in the Ministry, it was felt that the context in which the
recommendations were made by TRAI may have changed since the year 2014 and
there may be a need to look into the matter afresh. Vide the aforesaid letter,
MIB has requested TRAI for fresh review and recommendations on “Regulatory
Framework for Ground Based Broadcasters” under Section 11(1)(a) of TRAI Act,
1997.
Accordingly, the Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory
framework for Ground-based Broadcasters ‘is being released for seeking comments
from stakeholders. The consultation paper may be accessed on TRAI's website, www.trai.gov.
Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by
15.11.2024. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by 29.11.2024. The
stakeholders are requested to submit their comments and counter-comments,
preferably in electronic form, on the email- IDadvbcs-2@trai.gov.in and jtadv-bcs@trai.gov.in.
For
any clarification/information, Deepak Sharma, Advisor (B&CS) may be
contacted at Tel. No.: +91-11-20907774.