TRAI starts consultation on draft satellite radio policy

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has initiated the consultation process on a draft satellite radio policy as proposed by the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B).

The draft satellite radio policy envisages two types of licences: one for providing the satellite radio service for carriage and broadcasting of channels and the other that entitles the licensee to register the radio channels it carries on its platform.
 
The consultation is on the draft policy as proposed by the information and broadcasting ministry, the regulator said in a press statement.

"The ministry of information and broadcasting has informed that the recommendations made by TRAI have been accepted with some modifications by the Government of India. Accordingly, the ministry has framed the draft `Satellite Radio Policy Guidelines' and has requested the comments of the authority on the draft Satellite Radio Policy Guidelines," R N Chaubey, principal advisor,(B&CS), TRAI said in the statement.

TRAI had brought out a consultation paper on issues relating to satellite radio services on 29 December 2004 and held an open house discussion on 11 February 2005 in Delhi.

Based on the responses received from various stakeholders on the consultation paper and in the open house discussion, TRAI had sent its recommendations on issues relating to satellite radio service to the government on 27 June 2005.

The information and broadcasting  ministry has also asked for comments on the representation of  World Space (the sole existing satellite radio service provider in the country) on some of the policy issues.

The new radio policy, according to the industry sources would strive for growth in the radio sector, much to the benefit of radio operators, FM in particular.