Trai policy on broadcasting likely in June

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is likely to come out with a national policy on television channels and radio broadcasting in a month.

Addressing a Trai open house discussion on "Cable and broadcasting services and FM radio" here today, Trai chairman Pardip Baijal said: "The consultation paper on issues relating to broadcasting and distribution of television channels is ready, we are asking suggestion on changes to be made before the authority comes out with the final regulations.

"Our objective is to safeguard and protect the consumer and improve the implementation of channels."

About 130 countries had implemented the CAS, the authority was studying the framework of these models and on that basis it would come out with own regulations, he said. Baijal said Trai would hold open house discussions in Delhi and Mumbai in coming week and take suggestion of changes and then the framework will be decided and which will be out by June.

"The FM Radio must have low a entry fee and so as to allow more player and then the government can share profits by charging service tax. It is important to have FM radio structured. Trai will work for a model to give low entry cost and expects to come out with a model in the next one and half months," he said.

Consumers said the authority should bring out clear guidelines on deposits, instalment fee, pattern of payment, uniform subscription and make licence a mandatory for cable operators.

Monopolisation of a single cable operator in particular locality should be eliminated and the authority should facilitate for more than one cable operator in a particular locality, they demanded.