Category: Regulators

TRAI experiments with investor-led duct-laying plan

MUMBAI: TRAI is helping out with a pilot project at Baijnath Dham (Deoghar, Jharkhand) where infrastructure providers have been invited to lay ducts based on demand of telecom, Internet and broadcast distribution service providers.

TRAI is experimenting the investor-led initiative of facilitating the project in Jharkhand where ducts would be laid as per the next 20-year requirement and need of Internet, telecom and broadcast distribution service-providers.

A TRAI official told moneycontrol that no digging would be permitted once the ducts were laid and the service-provider uses them. Companies might simply push their fibre into and via the ducts as per their requirements.

The official said it would assist in cutting down operational expenses as the ‘right of way’ fees that was paid to administrative and municipal authorities while digging would also come down.

The expansion of mobiles and data usage on mobiles notwithstanding, the idea of further spreading fixed broadband through fibre could not be secondary. If the idea was triumphed, on-demand services would be available and that would become a model for media cable companies, telecom and Internet service-providers to follow in rest of India.

Also Read:

TRAI advocates help of cable operators to spread broadband

Government to link rural areas by optic fibre network for broadband growth

January 28, 2017
Prasar Bharati to work with Emirates News Agency in programming and news

NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati and Emirates News Agency have agreed to strengthen ties through mutual exchange of programmes and news.

This was one of the 14 memorandums of understanding signed to coincide with the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India.

The MoU between Prasar Bharati and the Emirates News Agency will also exchange best practices to improve each other’s functioning.

The Crown Prince is the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parada where a unit of the UAE forces will also take part.

January 27, 2017
Prasar Bharati to work with Emirates News Agency in programming and news

NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati and Emirates News Agency have agreed to strengthen ties through mutual exchange of programmes and news.

This was one of the 14 memorandums of understanding signed to coincide with the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India.

The MoU between Prasar Bharati and the Emirates News Agency will also exchange best practices to improve each other’s functioning.

The Crown Prince is the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parada where a unit of the UAE forces will also take part.

January 27, 2017
Submit ‘closure of access’ ideas by 6 Feb: TRAI

MUMBAI: The last date to receive comments and counter-comments on TRAI Consultation Paper on ‘Issues related to closure of Access Services’ has been extended.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had invited comments and counter-comments of stakeholders on Consultation Paper ‘Issues related to closure of Access Services’ dated 30 November, 2016. The last date for receiving written comments and counter-comments from the stakeholders were fixed as 9 January 2017 and 16 January 2017, respectively.

Considering the request received from the stakeholders, the last date for submission of written comments was extended up to 23 January 2017 and for counter-comments up to 30 January 2017.

Keeping in view the request of stakeholders for further extension of time for sending their comments, it has been decided to extend the last date for submission of written comments up to 6 February 2017 and for counter-comments up to 13 February 2017. No further requests for extension would be considered.

The comments and counter-comments may be sent preferably in electronic form. For any clarification/ information, contact Sanjeev Banzai, advisor (Network Spectrum & Licensing).

TRAI seeks to extend the time mobile users get to change their service-provider if a particular company is shutting shop or selling its spectrum.

The paper titled ‘Closure of Access Service” will seek feedback from telecom eco-system stakeholders to set up a framework to give an extended time and more options to users facing termination of services. A licence coming to fruition or failure of the service provider to bag spectrum or spectrum trading are normally the reasons behind an entity shutting shop.

TRAI had taken note of three significant instances. Reliance Communications stopped CDMA services and migrated to LTE. Airtel acquired spectrum from Aircel and Videocon through trading deals. In some cases, operators do not renew the spectrum and stop offering services in a particular area. Tata Docomo has lost subscribers due to such non-renewal.

Also Read: Consumers may get 60-day notice from unprofessional telcos

January 25, 2017
Submit ‘closure of access’ ideas by 6 Feb: TRAI

MUMBAI: The last date to receive comments and counter-comments on TRAI Consultation Paper on ‘Issues related to closure of Access Services’ has been extended.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had invited comments and counter-comments of stakeholders on Consultation Paper ‘Issues related to closure of Access Services’ dated 30 November, 2016. The last date for receiving written comments and counter-comments from the stakeholders were fixed as 9 January 2017 and 16 January 2017, respectively.

Considering the request received from the stakeholders, the last date for submission of written comments was extended up to 23 January 2017 and for counter-comments up to 30 January 2017.

Keeping in view the request of stakeholders for further extension of time for sending their comments, it has been decided to extend the last date for submission of written comments up to 6 February 2017 and for counter-comments up to 13 February 2017. No further requests for extension would be considered.

The comments and counter-comments may be sent preferably in electronic form. For any clarification/ information, contact Sanjeev Banzai, advisor (Network Spectrum & Licensing).

TRAI seeks to extend the time mobile users get to change their service-provider if a particular company is shutting shop or selling its spectrum.

The paper titled ‘Closure of Access Service” will seek feedback from telecom eco-system stakeholders to set up a framework to give an extended time and more options to users facing termination of services. A licence coming to fruition or failure of the service provider to bag spectrum or spectrum trading are normally the reasons behind an entity shutting shop.

TRAI had taken note of three significant instances. Reliance Communications stopped CDMA services and migrated to LTE. Airtel acquired spectrum from Aircel and Videocon through trading deals. In some cases, operators do not renew the spectrum and stop offering services in a particular area. Tata Docomo has lost subscribers due to such non-renewal.

Also Read: Consumers may get 60-day notice from unprofessional telcos

January 25, 2017
No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

MUMBAI: Cable Subscribers in DAS Phase III urban areas, who have not yet taken set-top boxes, are advised to obtain the same from the MSO/cable operators in their areas immediately, failing which they would not be able to watch TV services through Cable TV Networks after 31 January, 2017.

It is brought to the notice of all concerned that Ministry of I&B would not grant any extension beyond 31 January, 2017 to switch off analog signals in Phase III urban areas. In this connection, Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs have been requested recently to ensure that the Authorized Officer get acquainted with their powers and specified rules to enforce them against defaulters if they continue to carry analog signal in Phase III urban areas after 31 January, 2017.

The Ministry had issued instructions to all the broadcasters, multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) to ensure that no analog signals are transmitted over the cable networks in Phase III urban areas after 31st January, 2017. “Authorised officers” under Sec 11 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act can seize the equipment of the MSOs/Cable Operators, if they continues to carry analog signal in Phase III urban areas after 31 January, 2017.

On account of court proceedings, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting had earlier given time up to 31 January, 2017, to switch over to digital mode of transmission in Cable TV Networks in Phase III urban areas.

Also Read: MSO registrations remain slow even as DAS deadlines approach

Also Read: Slow pace of court cases, MSO registration may delay DAS deadline

January 25, 2017
No DAS III extension beyond 31 Jan, reiterates MIB

MUMBAI: Cable Subscribers in DAS Phase III urban areas, who have not yet taken set-top boxes, are advised to obtain the same from the MSO/cable operators in their areas immediately, failing which they would not be able to watch TV services through Cable TV Networks after 31 January, 2017.

It is brought to the notice of all concerned that Ministry of I&B would not grant any extension beyond 31 January, 2017 to switch off analog signals in Phase III urban areas. In this connection, Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs have been requested recently to ensure that the Authorized Officer get acquainted with their powers and specified rules to enforce them against defaulters if they continue to carry analog signal in Phase III urban areas after 31 January, 2017.

The Ministry had issued instructions to all the broadcasters, multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) to ensure that no analog signals are transmitted over the cable networks in Phase III urban areas after 31st January, 2017. “Authorised officers” under Sec 11 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act can seize the equipment of the MSOs/Cable Operators, if they continues to carry analog signal in Phase III urban areas after 31 January, 2017.

On account of court proceedings, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting had earlier given time up to 31 January, 2017, to switch over to digital mode of transmission in Cable TV Networks in Phase III urban areas.

Also Read: MSO registrations remain slow even as DAS deadlines approach

Also Read: Slow pace of court cases, MSO registration may delay DAS deadline

January 25, 2017
TRAI: HC asks Idea, DoT to file affidavit on plea

MUMBAI: Idea Cellular Ltd. has moved the Delhi High Court against TRAI’s recommendation to impose a penalty of Rs 950 crore for allegedly not providing interconnection to Reliance Jio (RJIO), even as Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said the plea was premature.

The DoT claimed before a bench of the justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal and chief justice G Rohini that Idea’s petition was not maintainable as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had only given a recommendation, PTI reported.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for DoT, opposed maintainability of the plea. Once DoT takes a decision, he said, it could become an appealable order.

The bench, thereafter, issued notice to TRAI and DoT and asked them to file affidavits on the issue of maintainability of Idea’s plea before the next date of hearing on 21 February.

Idea, in its request, claimed that it complied with the requirements of RJio for points of interconnections (PoIs). As of 19 January 2016, it allocated 19,175 PoIs to RJio and contended that congestion and call failures were a consequence of RJio’s “gross underestimation” of the traffic, volume, and duration of calls on its network due to its free offers.

In its plea, Idea has also contended that there was inconsistency between TRAI’s Interconnection Regulations and Quality of Service Regulations.

Earlier, terming it as “premature”, the central government opposed a plea by the telecom major Vodafone Mobile Services challenging TRAI’s recommendation to impose Rs 1,050 crore penalty for not providing interconnectivity to Reliance Jio.

The government rejected the plea by Vodafone, which operates in 21 circles, against a penalty of Rs 50 crore per telecom circle recommended by TRAI. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had suggested the penalty on grounds that Vodafone had violated terms and conditions relating to points of interconnection among service providers.

Also Read: Respond to Vodafone’s TRAI challenge in two weeks, govt directed

January 24, 2017
TRAI: HC asks Idea, DoT to file affidavit on plea

MUMBAI: Idea Cellular Ltd. has moved the Delhi High Court against TRAI’s recommendation to impose a penalty of Rs 950 crore for allegedly not providing interconnection to Reliance Jio (RJIO), even as Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said the plea was premature.

The DoT claimed before a bench of the justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal and chief justice G Rohini that Idea’s petition was not maintainable as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had only given a recommendation, PTI reported.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for DoT, opposed maintainability of the plea. Once DoT takes a decision, he said, it could become an appealable order.

The bench, thereafter, issued notice to TRAI and DoT and asked them to file affidavits on the issue of maintainability of Idea’s plea before the next date of hearing on 21 February.

Idea, in its request, claimed that it complied with the requirements of RJio for points of interconnections (PoIs). As of 19 January 2016, it allocated 19,175 PoIs to RJio and contended that congestion and call failures were a consequence of RJio’s “gross underestimation” of the traffic, volume, and duration of calls on its network due to its free offers.

In its plea, Idea has also contended that there was inconsistency between TRAI’s Interconnection Regulations and Quality of Service Regulations.

Earlier, terming it as “premature”, the central government opposed a plea by the telecom major Vodafone Mobile Services challenging TRAI’s recommendation to impose Rs 1,050 crore penalty for not providing interconnectivity to Reliance Jio.

The government rejected the plea by Vodafone, which operates in 21 circles, against a penalty of Rs 50 crore per telecom circle recommended by TRAI. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had suggested the penalty on grounds that Vodafone had violated terms and conditions relating to points of interconnection among service providers.

Also Read: Respond to Vodafone’s TRAI challenge in two weeks, govt directed

January 24, 2017
News disallowed but advt terms relaxed for community radio

NEW DELHI: While holding that the grant of permission agreement will be extended for five years at a time for community radio stations, the government has said that the application will have to be submitted in the fourth year.

In relaxation of its Guidelines of 2006 to promote the growth in the sector, it was stated that the first extension shall be granted on the basis of an application and verification of adherence to the terms and conditions of the permission.

For second extension beyond 10 years, the continuous operation of CRS by the permission holder for 10 years will be treated as ground for extension. CRS should submit their application for extension of permission a year before end of the permission period.

Considering that there are less than 150 operational CRS even after more than a decade of launch of the scheme, the changes announced along with the funding scheme announced earlier this month would help the growth of this sector.

News and current affairs and programmes of current affairs which are political in nature will not be permitted. However, CRS can broadcast news and current affairs contents sourced exclusively from All-India Radio in its original form or translated into the local language/dialect. AIR shall source its news to CRS without any charge. It will be the responsibility of the CRS permission holder to ensure that the news is not distorted or edited during translation.

Another important relaxation is in terms of permitting additional categories that can come under non-news and current affairs broadcast.

These are:

(a) Information pertaining to sporting events excluding live coverage. However live commentaries of sporting events of local nature may be permissible;

(b) Information pertaining to traffic and weather;

(c) Information pertaining to and coverage of local cultural events, festivals;

(d) Coverage of topics pertaining to examinations, results, admissions, career counseling;

(e) Availability of employment opportunities;

(f) Public announcements pertaining to civic amenities like electricity, water supply, natural calamities, health alerts etc. as provided by the local administration;

(g) Such other categories not permitted at present that may subsequently be specifically permitted by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting from time to time.

The additions also say that transmission of sponsored programmes shall not be permitted except programmes sponsored by Central and state governments and other organisations to broadcast public interest information.

Limited advertising and announcements up to a maximum of seven minutes per hour relating to local events, local businesses and services and employment opportunities will be allowed.

(In a related development, the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity deleted the empanelment condition that “Community Radio Stations will undertake in writing that DAVP approved rates accepted by them are their lowest rates and exclusive to DAVP and cannot be offered to any other agency”.)

The additions in the Guidelines further said: “In disaster situations, the District Magistrate’s permission shall be sufficient to relocate CRS. However, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should be informed of the change of place by both the CRS and District Magistrate.

January 24, 2017