Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters
The ‘Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television
channels in India, 2022’ issued by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
(MIB), containing the terms and conditions for TV broadcasting services, make
it mandatory for the broadcasters to use satellite medium 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
terrestrial communication technologies like wireline (e.g. cable/fibre, etc.)
or wireless (e.g. cellular/microwave/Wi-Fi, etc.)/internet/cloud. The terrestrially
transmitted channels can be carried to multiple DPO networks simultaneously for
re-transmission. Considering these developments, it is essential to establish
an enabling framework to ensure that service providers can fully leverage
technological advancements.
MIB, vide its letter dated 22 May 2024, has sought recommendations of TRAI on “Regulatory Framework
for Ground Based Broadcasters” under Section 11(1)(a) of TRAI Act, 1997.
Accordingly, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper
titled ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters’ on 18 October
2024.The comments and counter comments received in the consultation process are
available on TRAI’s website. As part of consultation process, Open House
Discussion (OHD) was held on 20 December 2024.
Based on the comments, counter-comments received, inputs gathered during
OHD, and its own analysis, TRAI has finalised the Recommendations on
‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters’. Salient points of the
recommendations are given below:
- The
framework for Ground-based Broadcasters shall be similar to the framework
contained in the ‘Guidelines for Uplinking and downlinking of Satellite
Television Channels in India, 2022’ for traditional satellite-based
broadcasters, to the extent applicable to the ground-based broadcast
model, duly excluding the provisions related to satellite communication
medium.
- The scope of Ground-based Broadcasters shall be to provide
television channel(s) to Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) using
terrestrial communication medium, for onward re-transmission.
- A Ground-based
Broadcaster may use any terrestrial communication medium(s), for delivery
of channels to the DPOs. There shall be no restriction on the use of
terrestrial communication technologies/systems and the entity may use more
than one such systems, as per its business decision.
- For the permitted
channel, a Ground-based Broadcaster (GBB) can switch to or additionally
use satellite medium for broadcasting with due permission of the Central
government. Similarly, a Satellite-based Broadcaster (SBB) can switch to
or additionally use terrestrial communication medium for broadcasting with
due permission of the Central government.
- The service area for a
Ground-based Broadcaster shall be at National level.
- MIB may examine
whether Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels are
compliant with the extant guidelines/policy framework. If necessary, MIB
may issue necessary policy guidelines for such channels in consultation
with TRAI.
- The
Authority reiterated its recommendations on ‘Ease of Doing Business in
Telecom and Broadcasting Sector’ dated 2 May 2023 to the extent applicable to
Ground-based Broadcasters.
The Recommendations have been placed on the
TRAI's website (www.trai.gov.in). For any clarification or information, Dr Deepali
Sharma, Advisor (B&CS), TRAI may be contacted at Telephone Number
+91-11-20907774.