New interconnect norms for broadcasters

Broadcasters will now have to report their existing interconnect agreements with cable operators, MSOs, DTH and head-ends in the sky (HITS) operators, including amendments and modifications made till
today, to Trai before February 15 next year, according to a new regulation released today.

As per the 'The Register of Interconnect Agreements (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Regulation, 2004' released by Trai, broadcasters will have to present updated reports of their agreements on a quarterly basis instead of monthly as stipulated earlier.

The new regulation spares multi-system operators (MSOs) from filing  interconnect agreements with Trai.

It may be noted that all interconnect agreements earlier in the broadcasting and cable sector were covered within the ambit of 'The Register of Interconnect Agreement Regulation, 1999', which pertained to telecom services.

Trai said it had to issue a separate regulation for broadcasting and cable services as "existing regulations would require extensive amendments. Also, this was done to bring inclarity in the interpretation of the provisions."