ITV

Category: Regulators

  • TRAI releases Indian Telecom Services-Yearly Performance Indicators report for 2023-24

    TRAI releases Indian Telecom Services-Yearly Performance Indicators report for 2023-24

    Mumbai: TRAI’s Indian Telecom Services-Yearly Performance Indicators report for 2023-24 highlights that gross revenue also saw a modest increase of 0.71 per cent year-on-year, climbing from Rs 3.33 trillion in 2022-23 to Rs 3.36 trillion in 2023-24. Meanwhile, the Applicable Gross Revenue (ApGR) grew by 6.38 per cent, reaching ₹3.23 trillion in 2023-24, up from Rs 3.03 trillion in the previous financial year.

    In 2023-24, the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of telecom service providers grew by 8.24 per cent year-on-year, driven by increased data consumption and consumer upgrades, according to a report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The AGR rose from ₹2.49 trillion in 2022-23 to Rs 2.7 trillion in 2023-24.

    License fees experienced an 8.45 per cent increase, rising from Rs 19,954 crore in 2022-23 to ₹21,642 crore in 2023-24. Conversely, spectrum usage charges (SUC) saw a significant decline of 32.20 per cent, dropping from Rs 4,968 crore in 2022-23 to ₹3,369 crore in 2023-24.

    Among telecom service providers, Reliance Jio recorded a 9.62 per cent year-on-year growth, with its AGR increasing from ₹89,279.39 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 97,868.06 crore in 2023-24. Bharti Airtel posted a 12.12 per cent rise, reaching ₹80,529.33 crore in 2023-24. In contrast, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) reported a 1.92 per cent decline, while Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) experienced a sharp 22.34 per cent decrease, with its AGR falling from ₹785.6 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 610.11 crore in 2023-24.

    The share of public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the access AGR of telecom services decreased to 6.64 per cent in 2023-24, down from 7.04 per cent in 2022-23. The PSUs’ share in such AGR amounted to ₹17,973 crore in 2023-24, compared to Rs 17,605 crore in the previous fiscal year.

     

  • MIB pushes for GST exemption on digital news subscriptions

    MIB pushes for GST exemption on digital news subscriptions

    Mumbai: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has urged the Department of Revenue to either exempt digital news subscriptions from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or reduce the tax rate from 18 per cent to 5 per cent, as per media reports. In a letter addressed to Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju emphasised that newspapers are exempt from GST due to the importance of providing “correct and factual information” to Indian citizens.

    A note attached to the letter warned that the current higher tax burden could hinder the growth of the online news sector, potentially pushing it towards an advertising-based model, which could negatively impact the quality and credibility of news content.

    “With the growing internet penetration in India and the nascent stage of the online news industry, it is requested that the disparity between GST on printed newspapers and digital/online news subscriptions be addressed by either exempting the GST on the latter or reducing it from 18% to 5%, aligning it with the rate on e-books,” the letter stated.

    Digital publishers have been advocating for this change even before finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 on 23 July. MIB referred to a 29 September 2023, office memorandum that recommended exempting online news subscriptions from GST to create parity with printed newspapers. However, the revenue department’s office memo dated 5 June 2024, noted that the GST Council had discussed this proposal during its meeting on 11 July 2023, but did not endorse it.

    The MIB also cited a similar issue resolved in 2018 when the GST Council reduced the GST rate on e-books from 18 per cent to five per cent through a notification dated 26 July 2018. The 54th GST Council meeting is scheduled for 9 September, following the last meeting held on 22 June.

    In the attached background note, the MIB highlighted that very few internet users in India pay for online news. A higher GST rate on digital news subscriptions could push the online news sector toward an advertising model, potentially affecting the quality and credibility of content through practices such as clickbait, sensational headlines, and fake or misleading news.

    The MIB also pointed out that the 18 per cent GST on online news subscriptions generates approximately Rs 21.6 crore in revenue from a total revenue of Rs 120 crore. The MIB argued that reducing the GST to either nil or 5 per cent “may not lead to substantial revenue forgone by the government exchequer.” Online news subscriptions fall under the category of services for the “supply of images, text, and information and making available of databases.” The MIB stressed that providing “credible and factual information in the nature of news” is distinct from other online content services, as it “empowers citizens to make informed decisions and be aware of their rights and responsibilities.”

    Currently, printed newspapers, journals, and periodicals are exempt from GST. Under the IGST Act, online news subscriptions are taxed at 18 per cent as Online Information Database Access and Retrieval (OIDAR) services, which are internet services lacking a physical interface between the supplier and the recipient.

  • Television is alive and well, says TRAI

    Television is alive and well, says TRAI

    MUMBAI:  And they say TV – and more specifically – pay TV is dying in India (snicker, snicker). But if one were to go by TRAI figures, you would say otherwise.

    According to its annual performance indicators report for 2023-24, the number of registered pay TV channels in the period ended 31 March 2021 were 361 (258 being SD satellite and 103 HD satellite) out of a total of 912 permitted satellite channels. The rest (551) were free-to-air (FTA)  broadcasters. (10 other channels were permitted to uplink from India but downlink in other countries only; taking the total number of permitted satellite TV channels to 922.)

    This compares to 892 permitted satellite channels consisting of 358 pay TV channels (254 SD; 104 HD) and 534 FTA in the year to 31 March 2023; 885 channels in 2022 made up of 345 pay TV (248 SD channels; 97 HD channels) and 540 FTA; 885 channels in 2021 made up of 327 pay TV (235 SD and 92 HD) and 558 FTA channels.  The number of permitted satellite TV channels for the respective years tots up to 903 for 2023; 898 for 2022 and 901 for 2021.

    Clearly, the trend line shows that while there was a lull between 2021 and 2022, there has been an impressive upswing in the following years at a time when naysayers have been tom tomming the demise of television. Not only has there been an improvement in quality of TV signals with the transition to HD, but there has also been an increase in the number of FTA channels.

  • MIB extends draft broadcast bill consultation date to 15 October

    MIB extends draft broadcast bill consultation date to 15 October

    Mumbai: The ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) has announced late last night on X (twitter) that the last date for receiving comments/recommendations/suggestions on the much-talked-about draft broadcasting bill has been extended to 15 October 2024. It also attached the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulations) Bill, 2023 which it had released on 10 November 2023 with the tweet, and not the “2024 draft version” which has been doing the rounds of several publications.

    It had been alleged by several media outlets that the bill in its 2024 draft version would curb the relative freedom that news channels, influencers, online websites, and OTT platforms currently enjoy by asking them to set up content evaluation committees.  

    Earlier yesterday, certain news publications had reported that the ministry had told organisations to return their copies of the “2024 draft version” to it.  The MIB it is reported was holding consultations with select stakeholders on this version.

    Even as the date has been extended, it was not clear at the time of writing whether the 2024 draft version was being scrapped in its entirety or only parts of it would be.

    In its tweet, the MIB cryptically said that a fresh draft would be published after detailed consultations. 

  • TRAI issues Consultation Paper on telecom audit provisions

    TRAI issues Consultation Paper on telecom audit provisions

    Mumbai – Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the Consultation Paper on ‘Audit related provisions of Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 and the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual’.

    In consonance with the complete digitization of the cable TV sector, TRAI on 3 March 2017 notified the Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting and Cable services which included Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 [hereinafter called Interconnection Regulation].

    TRAI also issued the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual [hereinafter called Audit Manual] on 8th November 2019.

    One of the prime objectives of TRAI is to create a fair and equitable environment for all stakeholders. Interconnection Regulation establish a trust-based system through third-party auditors to balance the diverse interests of various service providers, including broadcasters and distributors, while keeping the consumers at the forefront. Independent Audit is one of the core principles of Interconnection Regulations. In this regard, some stakeholders have opined that certain amendments are required in the audit related provisions in the Interconnection Regulation 2017.

    Further consequent upon acceptance of TRAI recommendations on “Sharing of Infrastructure in Television Broadcasting Distribution Sector” dated 29th March 2017, MIB has issued guidelines for infrastructure sharing. Therefore, it is pertinent to review the existing framework and incorporate the enabling provisions in the Interconnection Regulation 2017 and Audit Manual.

  • TRAI holds meeting with access service providers and delivery telemarketers

    TRAI holds meeting with access service providers and delivery telemarketers

    Mumbai- In the context of consumer complaints about unsolicited commercial calls, TRAI held a meeting on 6 August with Access Service Providers and their Delivery Telemarketers to deliberate the action on spammers.

    The following issues were discussed during the meeting-

    (i) Instances of misuse of Headers and Content templates without the knowledge

    of entities.

    (ii) Steps taken by Access Service Providers and Delivery Telemarketers to identify and trace the entities responsible for sending such messages and to take corrective measures to prevent such cases.

    (iii) Control of Promo calls whether robotic calls! auto-dialler calls! pre-recorded calls, and migration of all such enterprise business customers on DLT platform for sending bulk communication in compliance with TRAI regulations.

    The regulator sought proactive action from all the stakeholders specially Access Service providers and their Delivery Telemarketers to take immediate action including implementing technical solutions for traceability and to prevent bulk calling by their enterprise customers using 10-digit numbers through PRI/SIP.

    The Regulator has conveyed a strong message to the service providers and their Telemarketers to come forward and take effective measures to curb bulk communications using voice calls.

  • TRAI meets regulatory heads of all TSPs

    TRAI meets regulatory heads of all TSPs

    Mumbai – TRAI held a meeting, under the chairmanship of Chairperson, TRAI on 8 August 2024 with Regulatory Heads of all the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). The meeting was attended by the Chief Regulatory Officers of Airtel, BSNL, Quadrant Televentures Limited (QTL), Reliance JiO, Tata Teleservices Limited, Vodafone Idea Limited and V-CON Mobile & Infra Private Limited. Representatives of MTNL and Reliance Communications Limited didn’t turn up for the meeting.

    The following issues were discussed during the meeting-

    (i) Spam calls by Entities sending bulk commercial communications through PRI/ SIP or Bulk Connections.

    (ii) Migration of all Telemarketers and Enterprise making bulk calls to DLT

    platform

    (iii) Entity and Telemarketer Chain Binding for traceability of messages.

    (iv) Whitelisting of URLs for blocking of messages containing malicious links.

    After detailed deliberations, the following decisions were taken-

    (i) If any entity misuses its SIP/ PRI lines for making spam calls, all the Telecom Resources of the entity shall be disconnected by its Telecom Service Provider (TSP) and the entity shall be blacklisted by it. This information shall be shared by the TSP with all other TSPs who will, in turn, disconnect all the telecom

    resources given by them to that entity and blacklist it for a period of up to two years. No new telecom resources shall be allocated to it by any TSP during the period of blacklisting.

    (ii) With effect from 1 September 2024, no message, containing URLs/ APKs that are not whitelisted, shall be allowed to be delivered.

    (iii) The technical implementation of Entity and Telemarketer chain binding for ensuring traceability of the message flow shall be

    completed by the TSPs latest by 31st October 2024.

    TRAI emphasised that there is an urgent need to take firm action on spammers using PRI/SIP connections for voice calls/Robo calls/Pre-recorded calls without further delay. All the TSPs promised to extend full support to TRAI in curbing the menace of spam calls and implement all the Directions of TRAI within timeframe.

  • TRAI issues consultation paper on ‘Reserve Prices for Auction of FM Radio Channels’

    TRAI issues consultation paper on ‘Reserve Prices for Auction of FM Radio Channels’

    Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper concerning the “Reserve Prices for Auction of FM Radio Channels.” On 19 March 2024, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) requested TRAI’s recommendations on setting reserve prices for the auction of FM radio channels in 18 cities/towns across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, aiming to expand Private FM Radio.

    In this context, the MIB has introduced a new category ‘E’ for these cities. It is proposed that the technical parameters applicable to category ‘D’ cities, except for Effective Radiated Power (ERP), will be applicable to category ‘E’ cities as well.

    The proposed ERP for Category ‘E’ is set between 750 Watts and 1 Kilowatt. Additionally, the MIB has sought TRAI’s recommendations for reserve prices in the cities of Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), Rourkela (Odisha), and Rudrapur (Uttarakhand).

    This consultation paper is designed to gather comments and views from stakeholders on determining reserve prices for the auction of FM radio channels under the FM Phase-III Policy. Stakeholders are invited to submit their written comments on the consultation paper by 29 August 2024, with counter-comments due by 12 September 2024.

  • MIB mandates IN-SPACe authorisation for use of foreign satellite capacity in broadcasting services

    MIB mandates IN-SPACe authorisation for use of foreign satellite capacity in broadcasting services

    Mumbai: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a directive to satellite TV channels and teleport operators to obtain authorization from the government-backed Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) for using foreign satellite capacity for broadcasting services.

    In an advisory dated 10 July, the MIB stated that existing arrangements for using capacity in C, Ku, or Ka frequency bands from foreign satellite operators can be extended until 31 March 2025.

    “Starting from April 1, 2025, only IN-SPACe authorized non-Indian Geostationary Orbit (GSO) satellites and/or Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) satellite constellations will be permitted to provide their capacity for space-based communication and broadcast services in India,” the advisory states.

    The ministry mentioned further that applications for authorisation must be submitted through the IN-SPACe website by an Indian entity, which could be an Indian subsidiary, a joint venture/collaboration, or an authorized dealer/representative of the foreign satellite operator in India.

    NewSpace India has leased transponder capacity in C, Ku, and extended C bands from both Indian and foreign satellites.

    As of March 2023, the Department of Space reported that 18 communication satellites were operating over India, equipped with communication transponders in C-band, Extended C-band, Ku-band, Ka/Ku band, and S-band.

    About 70 transponders in Ku-band and High Throughput Satellite (HTS) capacity of 1.6 GHz were leased from international satellite operators, while an additional 40 transponders in C-band were directly leased by broadcasters for TV uplinking.

  • TRAI releases consultation paper on ‘Framework for Service Authorisations’

    TRAI releases consultation paper on ‘Framework for Service Authorisations’

    Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on the ‘Framework for the Service Authorisations to be Granted Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023′. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through a letter dated 21 June 2024 informed TRAI that the Telecommunications Act, 2023 has been published in the Official Gazette of India; Section 3(1)(a) of the Act provides for obtaining an authorisation by any entity/ person intending to provide telecommunication services, subject to such terms and conditions, including fees or charges, as may be prescribed. DoT also shared a background note on related aspects in this regard, including relevant sections of the new Act that may have a bearing on the terms and conditions of authorisations.

    DoT through the said letter dated 21 June 2024, under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended), requested TRAI to provide its recommendations on terms and conditions, including fees or charges, for authorisation to provide telecommunication services as per the provisions of the Telecommunications Act 2023.

    Written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from stakeholders by 1 August 2024 and counter-comments by 8 August 2024, respectively.