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TRAI begins consultations on regulating local ground based channels
These channels are operated by cable TV (MSOs and/or LCOs), DTH, IPTV and HITS operators offering movies, music and local news to their subscribers
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on “Regulatory Framework for Platform Services”. Reference in this regard has been made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).As on April 30, 2014, MIB has permitted 795 private satellite TV channels, out of which 393 channels are in the category of ‘News & Current Affairs’, and remaining 402 channels are in the ‘Non-News & Current Affairs’ category.
In addition to the retransmission of permitted TV channels, cable TV (MSOs and/or LCOs), DTH, IPTV and HITS operators also operate their own local ground-based channels which generally provide movies, music related programs, local community based programmes, and local news and current affairs to their own subscribers. These local ground-based channels operated by cable TV operators are presently not subject to any specific guidelines unlike private satellite TV channels which are permitted under the uplinking/downlinking guidelines of MIB.All TV channel Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs), i.e., cable TV (MSOs in areas covered by DAS and MSOs and/ or LCOs elsewhere), DTH, IPTV and HITS operators, operate certain kind of programming services which are specific to each platform and are not obtained from broadcasters.
MIB in its reference dated January 17, 2013 (Annexure I) has expressed concern regarding transmission of local channels over a wide geographical area by sharing the same content with other cable operators on their networks. According to MIB, local channels are de facto operating as State/Regional/National channels, like permitted private satellite TV channels, without obtaining any permission from MIB. Therefore, a proper regulatory framework is required.
In order to reach to an acceptable framework by all the stakeholders, TRAI has asked for the stakeholders’ opinion on the following key issues:
- Definition of Platform Services
- Types of programs that can be carried on PS channels
- Eligibility criteria for registration of PS
- Security clearance of PS channels
- Registration of PS channels
- Penal provisions for non-adherence to terms and conditions of registrations
- Other obligations to be imposed
The authority has invited written comments on the consultations paper from stakeholders by July 14, 2014 and counter comments, if any, by July 21, 2014.
Read Full Here
Full text of consultation paper is available on TRAI’s website Home: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
New Activity :Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
These channels are operated by cable TV (MSOs and/or LCOs), DTH, IPTV and HITS operators offering movies, music and local news to their subscribers
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on “Regulatory Framework for Platform Services”. Reference in this regard has been made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).As on April 30, 2014, MIB has permitted 795 private satellite TV channels, out of which 393 channels are in the category of ‘News & Current Affairs’, and remaining 402 channels are in the ‘Non-News & Current Affairs’ category.
In addition to the retransmission of permitted TV channels, cable TV (MSOs and/or LCOs), DTH, IPTV and HITS operators also operate their own local ground-based channels which generally provide movies, music related programs, local community based programmes, and local news and current affairs to their own subscribers. These local ground-based channels operated by cable TV operators are presently not subject to any specific guidelines unlike private satellite TV channels which are permitted under the uplinking/downlinking guidelines of MIB.All TV channel Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs), i.e., cable TV (MSOs in areas covered by DAS and MSOs and/ or LCOs elsewhere), DTH, IPTV and HITS operators, operate certain kind of programming services which are specific to each platform and are not obtained from broadcasters.
MIB in its reference dated January 17, 2013 (Annexure I) has expressed concern regarding transmission of local channels over a wide geographical area by sharing the same content with other cable operators on their networks. According to MIB, local channels are de facto operating as State/Regional/National channels, like permitted private satellite TV channels, without obtaining any permission from MIB. Therefore, a proper regulatory framework is required.
In order to reach to an acceptable framework by all the stakeholders, TRAI has asked for the stakeholders’ opinion on the following key issues:
- Definition of Platform Services
- Types of programs that can be carried on PS channels
- Eligibility criteria for registration of PS
- Security clearance of PS channels
- Registration of PS channels
- Penal provisions for non-adherence to terms and conditions of registrations
- Other obligations to be imposed
The authority has invited written comments on the consultations paper from stakeholders by July 14, 2014 and counter comments, if any, by July 21, 2014.
Read Full Here
Full text of consultation paper is available on TRAI’s website Home: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
New Activity :Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
