Trai proposals

Proposing a larger role for radio, broadcast services regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today invited suggestions on issues relating to satellite radio service to thrash out a policy framework for the new technology which, among other things, can be used as a disaster warning system.

Trai, which would accept comments on the nascent technology till January 31, 2005, plans to tackle various issues associated with the technology such as level-playing field between satellite radio service and private FM radio, and regulation of broadcast content.

License fee and receiver inter-operability requirement in case of several satellite radio service providers.

Currently, there are four satellite digital radio systems in operation across the world. These are Worldspace, XM Radio, Sirius Radio and Mbco.

Worldspace, which covers the entire African zone, southern Europe, West Asia and Asia with its existing operational two-satellite system, is the only service provider in India in this segment, providing about 40 radio channels to an estimated small fraction of 50,000 people.

Of this, 31,800 are subscription-based while the rest receive only free-to-air channels.

In the absence of any regulatory or licensing framework for satellite radio service providers, Worldspace is operating its services after obtaining Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval for setting up a wholly-owned subsidiary for carrying out software programming activities in India, to import digital satellite receivers and accessories and to carry out revenue collection services in India on behalf of its parent/associate companies.

Trai said satellite radio, which is also being used for video and data broadcasting by players like MBCO Venture of Japan & Korea, can also be useful as a disaster warning system, especially for India.

"India, with its large geographical size, is well placed to benefit from a satellite radio system unlike smaller countries. The large size of the country makes it very difficult to provide timely advance warning to people living in remote areas for dealing with natural disasters such as cyclones and floods," Trai said.

"Its countrywide footprint enables the satellite radio system to provide instantaneous reach to all corners of the country including remote locations, especially the hilly areas. These remote areas may be impossible to cover through terrestrial means," the regulator said.

Worldspace is already in touch with the Indian government regarding a project for fishermen that would, inter alia, bring them reliable and timely advance weather warnings.

Even 80 years after broadcasting first started in India, the entire country could not be covered by medium wave and frequency modulation broadcasts, the regulator noted.

"In terms of reach, combined AM and FM broadcasts cover about 99.13 per cent of the Indian population and about 91.37 per cent of the geographical area. FM broadcasts alone cover about 30 per cent of the population and 21 per cent of the geographical area.

"Satellite radio has the potential to reach 100 per cent of the Indian population (geographically) and so could help to achieve some objectives of India's development process by reaching out to remote, inaccessible areas," it said.