The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has extended the deadline for stakeholders to submit responses regarding its consultation paper on the regulatory framework for ground-based broadcasters. Stakeholders now have until November 22 to send in their comments, with counter-comments due by December 6.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) asked TRAI to revisit the regulatory framework for terrestrial broadcasting in light of emerging technologies that allow broadcasters to distribute TV channels via ground-based platforms, which can be retransmitted through multiple distribution platform operators (DPOs). The ministry believes that since TRAI’s last recommendations in 2014, the industry’s landscape has evolved significantly.
With advances in ground-based transmission technology, broadcasters can distribute channels terrestrially, similar to traditional satellite-based services, allowing for commercial retransmission on DPO networks. TRAI’s revised framework aims to incorporate these changes and ensure the sector’s regulatory structure aligns with current technological capabilities.
Credit: This article is based on information from TRAI’s official announcements and consultation papers on terrestrial broadcasting.
Key Highlights:
- TRAI extends response deadline for ground-based broadcasters’ regulatory paper to November 22.
- New technology allows broadcasters to use terrestrial platforms for wider, commercial retransmission.
- MIB requested an updated framework due to the evolving media landscape.