TRAI Open House Discussions Tackle Key Broadcasting & Network Frameworks

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will host an open house discussion (OHD) on 18 December to address the consultation paper on the 'Framework for Service Authorisations for the Provision of Broadcasting Services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.'

Another OHD will take place on 20 December to discuss the consultation paper on the 'Regulatory Framework for Ground-Based Broadcasters.'

On December 17, TRAI conducted an OHD focused on the ‘Terms and Conditions of Network Authorisations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.’

During the discussion on 17 December, key industry stakeholders voiced strong opposition to the mandatory registration or licensing of content delivery networks (CDNs). TRAI's consultation seeks input on the terms and conditions for network authorisation, including for CDNs.

Industry representatives from Reliance Jio, Tata Communications, the Motion Picture Association and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) argued that mandatory CDN regulation would stifle innovation, investment and growth in this vital sector.

The meeting was attended by Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of TRAI, Atul Kumar Chaudhary, Secretary of TRAI and other telecom industry stakeholders and associations.

In 2022, TRAI recommended CDN regulation, suggesting that CDN providers ensure interconnectivity with telcos does not compromise network quality of service (QoS).

The OHD on 18 December concerning broadcasting services under the Telecom Act is particularly significant as key stakeholders including the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) and FICCI, have strongly opposed TRAI’s recommendation to bring broadcasting services under the authorisation regime of the Act.

The IBDF has urged TRAI to limit its recommendations to carriage-related issues and exclude content-related matters from the proposed authorisation framework. It has also called for resolving constitutional questions on content regulation before introducing new regulatory frameworks.

On 20 December, broadcasting industry stakeholders will discuss issues raised in the Consultation Paper on the ‘Regulatory Framework for Ground-Based Broadcasters.’ The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) regarding the uplinking and downlinking of satellite television channels in India require broadcasters to use satellite transmission for their channels to reach Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs).