ITV

Category: TRAI

  • TRAI launches channel selector app

    TRAI launches channel selector app

    MUMBAI: In a move to facilitate consumers to view their TV subscription and choose the channels of their interest while removing the unwanted ones, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India launched a channel selector app. 

    TRAI said that after issuing the new tariff order for broadcasting services it was noticed that consumers were facing difficulty to opt for TV channels or bouquets of their choice on the web portal or applications of their respective distributed platform operators (DPO).

    TRAI has developed this app in order to provide reliable, robust and transparent systems to television subscribers. The app will fetch data of subscribers from respective DPOs platform through APIs. 

    The regulatory body said that the app shall allow the customers to view all available channels and bouquets and pick individual ones. TRAI has claimed that the algorithm based app ensures that there is no duplication of channels and provides “optimised” channel subscriptions, to ensure cost savings. The app can also be used to modify and manage the existing subscription of the customer.

    Most of the major DTH and cable operators are onboard the app, the regulator said. Efforts are underway to include other players to make them useful for all customers.

    Channel Selector App is available on both Google Play Store and Apple Store.

  • TRAI reiterates need for converged regulatory regime for telecom & broadcasting services

    TRAI reiterates need for converged regulatory regime for telecom & broadcasting services

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) again highlighted the need for a converged regulatory regime for telecom and broadcasting services in India following the model of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in US and Office of Communications (OfCom) in the UK. 

    As large scale changes in these two sectors are taking place due to convergence, the regulatory body opines that there is an urgent need for having a comprehensive regulatory framework to deal with various issues arising out of the convergence of technologies and services.

    In reply to a letter by Rajyasabha MP Subhash Chandra regarding the need to have an independent regulator, TRAI has mentioned that there is no need for a separate regulator for broadcasting and cable sector addressing the ministry of communication.

    “Large scale changes in the telecom and broadcasting sector are taking place due to convergence and without a converged regulatory framework any attempts to regulate the telecom and broadcasting sectors in coming times may result in bottlenecks, imperfect competition, disputes and opportunities for arbitrage. Thus, if one service can be provided by two different routes and the license fees of one is much lower, then the tendency would be to use this alternative. The regulatory regime has to be such that the consumers and service providers should benefit from the technological advances,” it added.

    “The regime should not create any hindrance in the deployment of any technology for offering any type of telecom services including broadcasting services. At the same time due to technological developments, no service providers should be able to disturb the level playing field by taking advantage of regulatory policies. To achieve these objectives, it is necessary that licensing should be service neutral and the converged regulatory regime for telecom and broadcasting services should be in place. The organisational restructuring in view of technological developments is a must, otherwise, it may be difficult to exploit the full benefits of these technological developments,” the regulator highlighted. 

    Notably, the government brought the broadcasting and cable television services within the ambit of telecommunication services for the first time in 2004. TRAI, in addition to the telecoms sector, had also been set up as the regulator for the media and broadcasting industry. TRAI mentioned in the letter that since then it has brought various reforms in the industry including digitisation, the new tariff order which has helped it to grow. “Looking at the role so far played by TRAI, it is obvious that there is no need for a separate regulator for broadcasting and cable sector,” it states. However, those reforms were most of the time challenged in various judicial forums by the stakeholders and the regulatory body has been blamed for “micro-managing” the sector.

    Earlier in 2018, TRAI proposed a converged regulator for information and communications technology (ICT) and broadcast sectors but television broadcasters and broadcasting associations had opposed the proposal. 

  • TRAI consultation paper: Tech players echo need for defined CAS/SMS framework

    TRAI consultation paper: Tech players echo need for defined CAS/SMS framework

    MUMBAI: The irregularities in the conditional access system (CAS) and subscriber management systems (SMS), the key pillars of delivering broadcast services in the digitised era,  have been major concerns for stakeholders. Like all broadcasters and major distribution platform operators (DPOs), technology players have voiced the need to define a framework for CAS/SMS systems as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a consultation paper seeking comments on the issue.  

    ByDesign India Private Ltd (BIPL), which offers an advanced embedded security CAS, SMS platform, recommends certain additional audit measures to improve the compliance of CAS, SMS which can be utilised by TRAI and/or its appointed auditors as it is of the view that self-certification is not sufficient.

    “BIPL has long been an advocate for standardisation of the systems which creates a level playing field and a fair operating environment for all ecosystem partners," it said. According to it, a defined framework with minimum requirements would ensure good service quality to end consumers, help broadcasters by reducing content security threat and prevent loss of revenue for the government of India. It mentioned the dire need to define a framework to benchmark the minimum requirements of the system before these can be deployed by any DPO in India.

    “A standard framework also allows the product / application developers / providers to plan their resources and price their products / services in accordance to the market offerings and end consumer requirements. This helps in running sustainable business operations with healthy competition and implementing growth strategies thereby providing confidence and satisfaction to its investors, shareholders as well as its employees,” it added. 

    Nagra Kudelski opined that a certificate from CAS and SMS vendor is sufficient to confirm the compliance of CAS, SMS. However, it also noted that a compliance certificate certifying that the SoC (System on Chip) has implemented secure TEE or hardware root of trust (security module) needs to be issued by the SoC vendor. It also added that SoC, CAS, SMS vendors should have a registered office in India with the necessary infrastructure to provide 24 x 7 support. 

    “While we follow the Digital Video Broadcasting Project (DVB) standards, we also agree that there is a need to define a framework for the overall Digital TV systems in India. There is a need to define CAS security and robustness to ensure that the business and technical interests of Operators and the Government of India are fully met,” it stated further. 

    ReliableSoft, one of the leading SMS providers in India recommended that TRAI should finalise benchmark features of SMS apart from Schedule III features and then all DPOs should conform those features with their existing SMS or New SMS that DPOs are going to finalise, based on that SMS compliance can be improved. It is also in favour of a defined framework for SMS systems in India.

    Schedule III of the interconnection regulation specifies the benchmark features or technical criteria that the systems are required to comply with. In addition, there are provisions in Schedule III that entail CAS and SMS systems to conform to certain technical features to check the piracy.

    SAFEVIEW, which offers CAS/DRM solution to TV operators, said that CAS-issued certificate for the SMS deployed in that particular DPO should be made mandatory. It also added that current version of CAS deployed needs to be certified by an accredited international agency for Hollywood studios. It is also in favour of defining a framework for CAS/ SMS systems to benchmark the minimum requirements.

    However, technology players differ in their opinion on the topic that who should be entrusted with the task of defining the framework. BIPL said a committee should be entrusted with a chairperson who should be reporting to the regulator. It also suggested representation from TRAI,  ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB), ministry of electronics and information technology ( MEITY), ministry of home affairs (MHA), ministry of finance (MoF),  ministry of company/ corporate and consumer affairs, Prasar Bharati, Software Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate, BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 

    “We propose that TRAI leads the overall monitoring and execution with support from BIS. Assign industry members including the leading CAS vendors, operators and SMS vendors as part of a group to define the framework. As TRAI is the leading authority that defines the rules and regulations for the industry, and therefore, is in best position to ensure proper measures are put in place. Adding industry members will ensure that the operation and business interests are considered as part of the framework,” Nagra Kudelski said. 

    ReliableSoft suggested that STQC Directorate should be entrusted with the task while SAFEVIEW recommended TRAI itself should take up the task. 

  • TRAI consultation: B’casters insist on framework, stakeholder-based industry body for CAS/SMS

    TRAI consultation: B’casters insist on framework, stakeholder-based industry body for CAS/SMS

    MUMBAI: While one of the prime targets of digitisation, the cable industry, was bringing transparency, the irregularities in the conditional access system (CAS) and subscriber management systems (SMS) have been major concerns for broadcasters. Bringing a ray of hope to many broadcasters, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a consultation paper seeking comments on the issue. In their submissions, all broadcasters have strongly advised a need to define a framework for CAS/SMS systems and an industry body to be entrusted with the responsibility. 

    Star India said that there is an urgent need to define a framework for CAS/SMS systems to benchmark the minimum requirements of the system before these can be deployed as presently there are many CAS and SMS systems deployed that do not have required features and capabilities for securing content and reporting accurate subscriber numbers. It added that robust framework is required in order to ensure that there is no possibility of manipulation of records and piracy/illegal retransmission of signals of channels by deployment of sub-standard CAS and SMS systems as the same leads to loss of revenue to the operator, broadcaster as well as to the government in form of taxes.

    It also recommended that the technical framework must be strengthened by forming an autonomous body that will be responsible for defining the framework, accreditation of the vendors, ensuring timely upgradation of Schedule III technical specification and operational requirements and continued compliance by the CAS and SMS vendors with the requirements of Schedule III. The broadcaster added that the autonomous body may be set up by representatives of broadcasters or DPOs or CAS and SMS vendors only. This body shall be entrusted with the task of accreditation, upgradation of specifications with the involvement of technical experts, and through a consultative process with relevant stakeholders defining the framework. 

    “However, till such time the autonomous body is set up, it is imperative that Schedule III of the interconnect regulations be amended at the earliest to reflect the proposed changes and to enable strict compliance of the requirements of the amended Schedule III by DPOs and CAS and SMS vendors in order to eliminate under-declaration, manipulation of subscriber numbers and illegal retransmission of TV signals and to enable the integrity of CAS and SMS systems. In the interim until the finalisation and setting up of the autonomous body, the CAS and SMS vendors shall be held responsible for compliance of Schedule III, through the DPO and the SLA between them, it added further.” 

    Schedule III of the interconnection regulation specifies the benchmark features or technical criteria that the systems are required to comply with. In addition, there are provisions in Schedule III that entail CAS and SMS systems to conform to certain technical features to check the piracy.

    Zeel Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) said there is a need to define the minimum basic functionality (MBF) for every CAS/SMS system to be approved in the country. Irrespective of the technology deployed, the few basic criteria should be met. 

    However, Zeel has suggested different entities rather than one autonomous body. “There are different roles which need to be performed by a different set of entities so that checks and balances are maintained and there is a concept of maker, checker, reviewer, auditor and adjudicator. The role of setting standards for CAS, SMS, MUX and DHE should ideally reside with a multidisciplinary body which has representation from relevant ministries of the government, TRAI, CDAC, STQC, broadcasters, major distribution platforms, major CAS, SMS, MUX, STB, DHE vendors, chip manufacturers, device manufacturers and noted academicians of international repute and TRAI empanelled auditors.

    “Such an agency could work under the direct supervision of TRAI as they are well versed with the intricate issues of the industry and can bring realistic elements in a timebound manner. The body/agency drafting standards should not overlap with either the body/agency providing the certification and/or the body/agency in the role of audit of these systems at a later stage. All these three units should be watertight and completely mutually exclusive,” it added. 

    According to Zeel, there should be a designated agency to carry out the testing and certification to ensure compliance with such a framework. It mentioned that TEC is the agency which is appropriately placed to carry such testing as they have been doing the same for Telco equipment and have processes and procedures in place for same. In addition to that, TEC has no direct involvement with the routine activities of the broadcasting sector, it will be able to act as an independent accreditor. 

    Times Network also feels that changes are needed. “We feel that there is a need to define a standardised technical framework for CAS/ SMS systems to benchmark the minimum requirements of the system before these can be deployed by any DPO in India. The deployment of CAS/ SMS systems is suggested to be based on advanced embedded system backed by mandatory tests and necessary. CAS must comply with CSA-2 or CSA-3 standards of scrambling algorithm and embedded in SoC (“Security on Chip”) in STB,” it said.

    It has also highlighted that the standards should be made keeping in mind that these are at par with global standards and are also useful from middleware perspective. It added that there may be a specific SOC for CAS TO minimise the chances of hacking. It should be endeavoured that no sub-standard systems can be deployed.

    “We feel that an independent, autonomous, neutral body should be set up for defining the framework for CAS and SMS in India. The autonomous body may be set up by representatives of broadcasters, DPOs, CAS and SMS vendors, technology vendors, manufacturer or importers of devices, representatives of R&D Centres, members of regulatory bodies etc. who can be assisted by trained investigators, legal and law enforcement members, cryptography analysts and system/network security auditors,” the broadcaster added. 

    Echoing the tone of Zeel, Times added that the autonomous body should take into consideration global best practices and standards while proposing and suggesting the framework or technical standards for India. 

    Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) is also of the opinion that there is an urgent need to define a framework for CAS and SMS/Systems to benchmark the requirements of the systems due to the reasons as stated in the foregoing clauses. Such new frameworks should be effective for all the existing systems as well. 

    “We firmly believe that this would also help protection of content, removal of rampant piracy and under-declaration of subscriber base and enhancement of consumer choices and experience thereby benefiting all the stakeholders. Hence the urgency to create a framework that would look at resolving the issues as raised herein. Further, the CAS and SMS vendors supplying their systems to the DPOs within India should also be mandated to follow the Schedule III requirements read with the TRAI regulations strictly and they should be made accountable for the same,” it added. 

    SPN has also proposed an independent industry body comprising mainly the technical members from all the stakeholders including government, broadcasters, DPO and the OEMs to define a framework for the concerned issue in the country. The task of this body should be to primarily define and set the framework for CAS and SMS/Systems, which should be a benchmark for future deployments. 

    “A standardised framework is required for CAS/SMS systems to benchmark the minimum requirements of the systems before it can be deployed by any DPO in India. Unsecured CAS/SMS system may lead to theft of broadcaster’s content and cause loss to the public exchequer. Substandard CAS/SMS system also impacts the performance of STBs thereby leading to unnecessary harassment of end-users,” TV18 stated. 

    Like its competitors, the broadcaster reiterated that industry body comprising of stakeholders from every level of the value chain should be entrusted with the task of defining the framework for CAS and SMS in India and that an industry-led body is best-suited solution that ought to be considered for the same. 

    “The industry body, thus, incorporated should take into consideration the framework adopted worldwide such as Movie Labs, IBCAP, DVB, etc. while defining the framework for India. However, it is necessary that DPOs, as well as CAS and SMS vendors, are made amenable to the Industry Body. In this regard, requirements such as, mandating CAS and SMS vendors to register as other service providers should be introduced,” it added. 

  • TRAI’s consultation: DPOs favour defined CAS/SMS framework; Tata Sky, Airtel, IMCL differ

    TRAI’s consultation: DPOs favour defined CAS/SMS framework; Tata Sky, Airtel, IMCL differ

    MUMBAI: Conditional access system (CAS) and subscriber management systems (SMS) are two key pillars of delivering broadcast services in a secured and encrypted manner to authorised subscribers. However, existing technical requirements for CAS and SMS are generic in nature allowing all type of CAS and SMS systems to exist in the eco-system. Piracy in the distribution of signals occurs due to the deployment of CAS or SMS that do not comply with security protocols as per extant standards. Hence, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a consultation paper seeking comments on CAS and SMS.

    In response to the consultation paper, most major distribution platform operators (DPOs) have agreed that there is a need to define a framework for CAS/SMS systems to benchmark the minimum requirements of the system before these can be deployed by any DPO.

    Siti Networks has strongly agreed to the need of a framework commenting, “It has been observed that SMS and CAS vendors demand exorbitant amount for upgradation of their CAS/SMS according to the mandatory requirements of the regulations and the service providers does not have any option other than agree to their blackmailing due to the compliance requirement. Any such statutory upgradation in the system should not be burdened on the service providers.”

    Another major MSO, DEN Networks, also thinks that defining the framework for benchmarking the CAS or SMS will help DPOs to choose the right solution. There are various factors in CAS which differs from vendor to vendor as they use proprietary solutions to address the content security.

    GTPL Hathway also reflects the same tone as it says there is certainly an urgent need to define a framework for CAS/SMS systems. It adds that currently all CAS/SMS systems largely vary in terms of both security features and performance features.

    “Under the appliable regulations, DPOs are mandated to grant their customers a free choice to make their own package(s). However, it is pertinent to mention that most CAS available in the market have an upper limit to the number of packages in which the same service/channel can be repeated. Therefore, it is necessary that CAS should be able to be upgraded for offering all services and combinations thereof, available on such platform. Availability of full technical local support in India. Almost all CAS vendors have their experts based out-of-India which may affect DPO’s QoS as the availability of off-shore resources may sometime take time as they help remotely,” it adds.

    Among the DTH platforms, Dish TV also voiced for a comprehensive framework for CAS/SMS system especially for the requirement of end-to-end content protection and transparency in business for the CAS side and an end-to-end business enablement from the SMS side. It has also recommended an operating model wherein the DPO should have direct contract with each stack-holder viz. CAS service provider, SoC/Chipset maker, middleware, security element provider and STB maker wherein the CAS vendor will be as one of stack holder in entire echo system like others. 

    However, Tata Sky holds a different view. According to the operator, it may be premature to assume that the CAS or SMS systems require benchmarking right now. It adds that existing audits could be successful in identifying the systematic gaps which would force those specific DPOs to upgrade their systems to continue to receive signals from the broadcasters. 

    “We would need to be careful that a new and stringent regulation does not get misused to disenfranchise a large number of DPOs thus leading to another round of subscriber shock and dissatisfaction. If it is still concluded that a framework for benchmarking of the system needs to be created, then it should be arrived at by a multi stake holder consensus approach,” it adds.

    Airtel, which also runs a sizable DTH business, states that the basic and minimum requirements of CAS/SMS are well captured in Schedule III of TRAI regulation. It adds that CAS /SMS being a globally deployed technology, innovations are a constant feature. 

    "To start with, Airtel believes that TRAI can continue to use Schedule III requirements for the CAS /SMS while adding more features to it at regular intervals to make it more robust and to accommodate new innovations in the technology. Hence, there is no need for defining or introducing a new CAS /SMS framework. The requirements listed in Schedule III should be benchmarked as the minimum qualifying requirements for all CAS /SMS solutions operating in India as well as for all future deployment of CAS/SMS by a new DPO,” it states.

    While most MSOs are in favour of a framework, IMCL holds same opinion as Tata Sky and Airtel. “We believe that subject to the CAS/SMS/STB meeting the requirements specified in Schedule III, there is no need for any further assessment or benchmarking of products required in order for DPOs to deploy them within their networks. At most the regulator can “recommend” some preferred products, but there should not be any limit to DPOs being able to purchase or even build their own solutions subject to the requirements specified in Schedule III being met,” it comments. 

    IMCL also highlights that migrating to a new SMS platform as selected by TRAI would result in heavy costs being incurred, customisations having to be re-built into any new platform and large migration exercises to move customers to the new platform. Hence, its portals or mobile applications that are built to support LCOs, MSOs, subscribers and engineering staff would all need to be re-built in order to work with a new SMS platform. This change will result in essentially re-building the business from scratch taking away the business from other revenue-generating activities. 

  • TRAI invites proposals for empanelment of auditors to carry DAS audit

    TRAI invites proposals for empanelment of auditors to carry DAS audit

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has invited proposals from audit firms for empanelment in the panel of Auditors to carry out the audit of digital addressable systems.

    The audit agency shall meet the following eligibility conditions for empanelment in the panel of Auditors: 

    1.  It shall be a company registered under the Companies Act 2013, OR an LLP under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 or a registered Partnership Firm under the Partnership Act, 1932, OR a proprietorship firm registered with ICAI as an audit firm;

    2.  It shall have a minimum average annual turnover of Rs 50 lakh in the immediate two preceding financial years for national level empanelment or for more than one regional level empanelment or Rs 25 lakh in the immediate two preceding financial years for empanelment in only one regional area;

    3.  It shall have experience, either on its own or through any of its partner/employee of (i) at least one year in the audit of Digital Addressable System (DAS) [Subscriber Management System (SMS)/ Conditional Access System (CAS)] (technical and/or subscription) of distributors; or (ii) at least one year in the audit of billing and metering and/or payment and prepaid charging system involving the use of software tools and/or banking IT system; 

    4.  It shall have at least three full-time professionals from among Chartered Accountant (CA)/ Company Secretary (CS)/Cost Accountant (CoA)/ Graduate Engineer, and at least one of the three professionals should be a Chartered Accountant (CA)/ Company Secretary (CS)/Cost Accountant (CoA). Such professionals should be full time partners or employees working with the Audit Agency since at-least six months prior to the date of application; 

    5.  The company/ LLP/ firm or any of its professional shall not have been disqualified or blacklisted by any department of State Government/Central Government or any Bank or Financial Institution or any statutory body or any professional body. Further, the Company/ LLP/ firm or any of its professional should not have been held guilty of criminal misconduct at any point of time

    6.  The applicant should be well-versed with the broadcasting and distribution industry and shall be proficient in understanding the network head-end setup, customer and system lifecycle knowledge and integration of customer details in SMS and CAS 

    7.  The applicant should be independent of broadcasting service providers and should not have any direct or indirect involvement or interest in the design, construction, operation or maintenance of software such as CAS/SMS/Middleware/Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) or hardware/electronic devices used in digital addressable systems of a service provider. Further, neither any director/ partner/ key managerial personnel of the applicant firm nor its any audit personnel should have held in last one year or should be currently holding the similar position in the company which is involved in the business of broadcasting and distribution activities. 

    The empanelment process shall be continuous and henceforth may be carried out on monthly basis i.e. a proposal may be submitted by last working day of a month for the next round of empanelment. An applicant shall apply only once till TRAI informs it about acceptance/rejection of its proposal. TRAI shall inform all the applicants whether they have been empanelled or their application has been rejected. An applicant once rejected shall not be eligible to re-apply for 12 months from the date of intimation of such rejection.

  • I&B ministry recommends 5% cap on DTH platform services; TRAI stays firm at 3%

    I&B ministry recommends 5% cap on DTH platform services; TRAI stays firm at 3%

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is firm on its position to cap the number of platform services (PS) by DTH platforms to three per cent subject to a maximum of 15 channels. This comes in the wake of the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) recommending a five per cent cap with no channel limits.

    The MIB sent a letter to the regulatory body on 13 May approving TRAI’s recommendations on platform services offered by DTH platforms with modifications. The inter-ministerial committee suggested that the cap be increased to five per cent of its total channel carrying capacity without any limit on the maximum number of PS channels. 

    TRAI was of the view that since DTH operators have a limited channel carrying capacity and with the availability of a huge number of permitted satellite TV channels (900+) in all regional languages and genres, there is no pressing requirement for a large number of PS channels. Further, DTH operators are primarily carriers of the content produced by broadcasters; not content producers. 

    “An upper limit of 15 channels is also important so that even if the channel carrying capacity gets increased in future, it should be given to broadcasters who are waiting for the channel capacity. As broadcasters are not permitted to reach to consumers directly, they are dependent only on the distributors. Allowing more channels as PS will put an artificial restriction on the broadcasters to launch new channels and in turn, they will be discouraged to bring new channels in the sector which will adversely affect the public interest at large,” it added. 

    TRAI mentioned that since DTH operators have pan India presence by the virtue of technology
    and availability of satellite footprint, they don't have to cater to the requirements of any local audience or a particular demography. PS are generally meant for MSOs to carry some local community interest programme.

    With regard to allowing more PS channels to DTH operators, TRAI said that the operators will block a large capacity for their own use which can seriously jeopardise the availability of slots not only for new broadcasters but also for government mandatory channels.

    TRAI had also recommended that the programme transmitted by the DTH operator as a platform service shall be exclusive and should not be shared directly or indirectly with any other distribution platform operator (DPO). In case of violation both TRAI or MIB can send notices, but the ministry wants to restrict this power to itself. However, TRAI had said that the MIB reserves the right for cancellation of registration of such PS of the DTH operator.

    The authority has reiterated its earlier recommendation for this clause as well citing the need for consistency between the TRAI act and DTH licence requirements.

    The industry watchdog also recommended that the DTH operator shall be bound by orders/ directions/regulations issued by it in respect of DTH services including platform services provided by the operator. In response, the committee recommended that the issues pertaining to DTH licences should be regulated by the MIB. However, it may be desirable that DTH operators may also abide by orders/directions/regulations of TRAI issued by TRAI from time to time relating to interconnection agreement/ tariff/quality of service.

    To this, TRAI said, “MIB should not put any artificial restriction in the license condition. It is essential that DTH guidelines should have one overarching clause clearly stating that the DTH operator shall be bound by orders/ directions/regulations issued by TRAI in respect of DTH services…It is very important that the DTH license should have an explicit provision that the DTH operator shall be bound by orders/directions/regulations issued by TRAI in respect of DTH services including platform services provided by the operator," it added. The regulator cited several court cases by which it has been given approvals to ensure regulations for the whole DTH sector.

  • TRAI extends dates for consultation paper on CAS, SMS for cable services

    TRAI extends dates for consultation paper on CAS, SMS for cable services

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of  India  (TRAI)  has extended the time for submission of comments on consultation paper on “Framework for technical compliance of conditional access system (CAS) and subscriber management systems (SMS) for broadcasting & cable services” from stakeholders/industry  associations up to 3 June 2020 and for counter-comments up to 17 June.

    No further requests for extension would be considered.

    TRAI had invited comments/counter-comments of stakeholders on 22 April 2020. The last date for receiving written comments and counter-comments were fixed as 20 May 2020 and 3 June 2020, respectively.

    The comments/counter-comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form to advbcs-2@trai.gov.in or jadvisor-bcs@trai.gov.in, said Trai secretary SK Gupta in release.  

  • TRAI recommends changes in BARC India to improve credibility, transparency of TV ratings

    TRAI recommends changes in BARC India to improve credibility, transparency of TV ratings

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come out with its recommendation on television measurement and rating systems review. The regulatory body has advised structural reform in the existing body Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India. It has stated that the changes are required to mitigate potential risk of conflict and increase credibility and transparency. 

    Changes in structural body; active participation of advertisers, advertising agency:

    The industry watchdog has also advised changes in the composition of the board of BARC India. The board should have at least 50 per cent independent members including measurement technology experts. Equal representation of AAAI, IBF, and ISA has also been recommended. 

    TRAI is of the opinion that active participation of representatives of the advertisers and the advertising agency will bring more accuracy, transparency, credibility, and neutrality in the system, due to their inherent need for advertisers to reach viewers accurately.

    Formation of oversight committee

    Moreover, an oversight committee has been recommended to create to guide the measurement body in the areas of research, design, and analysis. The need of multiple data collection agencies has also been mentioned for credible and accurate collection of data. 

    The Oversight Committee shall be broad-based with representation from the National Council of Applied Economic Research, IIM, IIT, media research expert and demography expert, nominee from the ministry of information & broadcasting, and TRAI. The Committee should also be responsible for nomination/appointment of independent members of the Board as well as to give policy direction to BARC India, if it is so required.

    Encouraging multiple data collection agencies

    TRAI says multiple data collection agencies need to be encouraged to create credible and accurate collection of data. Competition and multiple agencies for data collection and processing would bring in new technologies, new research methodologies, new methods in analysis, new and better ways to ensure better data quality.

    “Once multiple agencies come forward for rating, BARC should limit its role to publishing the ratings, and framing methodology and audit mechanism for the rating agencies, so that the number of agencies can develop multiple rating systems leveraging new technologies,” TRAI stated.

    Change in role of DPOs

    Notably, the regulatory body also stated that MIB should amend the DTH license and MSO registration so as to mandate STBs capable of transferring viewership data and adoption of RPD technology. This transfer of data can be done by establishing a return path/connection from STB to the remote servers of the Audience Measurement agency. 

    Anonymized viewership data should be transferred electronically to the Audience Measurement agency for statistical analysis and television rating purposes. No data from any STB should be transferred to the rating agency without explicit consent from the subscribers. 

    DPOs should be allowed to mutually negotiate the terms and conditions for sharing the data with the Measurement Rating agency within the overall framework prescribed by TRAI from time to time. Such a framework shall be prescribed by TRAI, once these recommendations are accepted by MIB. 

    More transparency, less intervention

    BARC has also been advised to stay at an arm’s length from its own subsidiary, Meterology Data Pvt Ltd., which is the sole data collecting agency for BARC, as of now, so that the entire process of measurement is carried out independently to ensure inherent checks in data inconsistency.

    “Efforts may be made to withhold the identity of the channel’s name, and number, while collecting and processing the data from the field to bring more transparency in the complete process. BARC should also separate its functions in two units (a) one unit should be responsible for prescribing methodology of ratings/validation of data, publishing the data and audit mechanism and (b) the other unit for processing the data, watermarking or any other such technical work including management of data collection agencies,” TRAI added.

    It has advised BARC to review/frame its outlier policy based on scientific study and market survey conducted from time to time along with automate data processing in such a manner that no manual intervention is required before the final TRP rating is released. TRAI suggests any type of manual intervention in the meter-level /raw data arising out of the household panel must be avoided. Manual intervention, if any, in abnormal circumstances should be reported and informed to the auditors also.

  • TRAI issues consultation paper on technical specs for CAS, SMS compliance

    TRAI issues consultation paper on technical specs for CAS, SMS compliance

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper seeking comments on standardising CAS and SMS systems for broadcast and cable TV.  

    Pursuant to the full digitisation of the cable sector in India, which concluded by 31 June 2017, the focus should now be on CAS and SMS as TRAI says they “form the core systems to deliver the broadcasting services to consumers as per their individual choices, by enabling encryption to ensure content security.”

    The technical requirements for CAS and SMS are generic and allow for different type of CAS and SMS systems to exist in the ecosystem. “While some of the CASs deployed are using advance embedded security, others are based on non-standard solutions making it vulnerable to hacking, thereby putting content security at risk,” says the TRAI notification.

    Additionally, most CAS companies don’t have their own SMS, middleware and user interface, increasing the dependency on third-party solutions. DPOs also lack the technical expertise to have an in-house mechanism.

    “The authority received complaints from various broadcasters on a regular basis regarding the piracy and distribution of pirated signals. As per analysis much of such piracy occurs due to deployment of CAS/ SMS that do not fully comply with security protocols as per extant standards. Stakeholders raised this issue as one of the major concerns during the annual chief executive officers' interaction with the authority held on 14 January 2020,” says TRAI.

    With these issues in mind, TRAI felt that “these concerns reflect a need for compliance with minimum technical specifications before a CAS/SMS systems is installed in the network. With this background, TRAI brings out this consultation paper on suo-moto basis. The paper endeavours to deliberate upon the issues arising out of deployment of sub-standard CAS and SMS systems, underlying ill-effects and possible remedial measures.”

    Comments to the consultation paper are requested by 20 May 2020 and counter-comments by 3 June 2020.