TRAI Mandates Encryption Of Private TV Channels On DD FreeDish

Notifying the regulatory framework for broadcasting and cable services, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked Prasar Bharati to encrypt signals of private TV channels on DD FreeDish before uplinking them to prevent unauthorised transmission.

“To ensure the quality of viewing experience, prevent unauthorised re-transmission of television channels to combat piracy and maintain the record of subscribers, Prasar Bharati to take steps to convert DD Free Dish platform from a non-addressable system to an addressable system and make a beginning by encrypting the signals of private satellite television channels at DD Free Dish headend before uplinking,” it said.

Subsequently, all other channels of DD Free Dish may also be transmitted in encrypted form, it added.

The issue of unencrypted channels has been raised repeatedly by the cable federation, which even moved the TDSAT against it alleging that DD FreeDish was not abiding by TRAI’s regulation that requires the channels to be provided in an encrypted manner.

It had asked TDSAT to ensure that all private television channels are broadcast to the end consumer in encrypted form through digital addressable systems.

In its amendments, TRAI also said that “Public service broadcasters will be provided with the requisite exemptions of TRAI Regulations, once such notification is issued by MIB. Prasar Bharati may utilise indigenous technologies for Conditional Access System (CAS), Subscriber Management System (SMS) and interoperable Set Top Boxes (STBs).”

“Prasar Bharati should adopt interoperable STBs for DD Free Dish to act as a catalyst for transitioning the entire ecosystem from operator-based STBs to interoperable STBs to empower consumers' choice. This will eliminate the need for changing STBs every time the service provider is changed,” it said, adding that the MIB may direct private DPOs to adopt and implement interoperable STBs.

TRAI said that during the consultation process for these amendments, certain other issues were also raised by various stakeholders which need to undergo a detailed consultation process for the consideration of TRAI.

“These issues and suggestions have been noted and TRAI will come out with a comprehensive consultation paper shortly to address the relevant issues,” it said.