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Tag: P D Vaghela

  • Need to revisit licensing framework for broadband, broadcasting & IT sector: Trai’s chairman P D Vaghela

    Need to revisit licensing framework for broadband, broadcasting & IT sector: Trai’s chairman P D Vaghela

    Mumbai: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman P D Vaghela recently in a conclave said that there is a need to revisit the licensing framework and governance structure of broadband, broadcasting and IT sector,

    Vaghela was addressing a conclave organised by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI).

    He remarked that the boundaries between broadcasting and telecom industries have blurred due to the advent of digital media. The revised licensing framework should be light-touch, formulated and the government should intervene only if required.

    The chairman highlighted that multiple authorities are involved for permission in the broadcast and telecommunications sector leading to the overlapping of functions. For example, internet protocol television (IPTV) permissions are granted by the department of telecommunications (DoT) as well as the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB). For policy decisions, there are multiple authorities such as DoT, MIB, the ministry of electronics and IT and the department of space.

    Vaghela stated that there was a need for redefining the role of market players such as service providers, infrastructure providers and cable operators in the new market structure.

    He said, “In addition to telecom and broadcasting, the over-the-top (OTT) world may also have to be factored in while carrying out required reforms. A robust and holistic technology-neutral regulatory and policy framework is required to regulate the newly converged environment of broadcasting and broadband services. The policy should also align the corresponding business processes with regard to the issuance of all broadcasting and cable service licences for better synergy and ease of doing business.”

    With technological advancement, it is now possible for broadband networks to offer broadcasting services and vice versa. “With content consumption in India shifting to smartphones and video consumption becoming a key driver of mobile data growth, it becomes imperative to bring direct broadcasting capabilities to mobile phones. It is anticipated that broadcast capable smartphones and mobile phones will be able to stream multiple high-quality video and audio services optimally utilising valuable spectrum and easing the burden on our cellular networks,” he concluded.

  • Trai to come up with recommendations to facilitate 5G rollout

    Trai to come up with recommendations to facilitate 5G rollout

    Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will soon come up with recommendations to facilitate telecom connectivity and for easing out network rollout issues being faced by telecom companies, especially with regard to 5G.  

    During a virtual event organised by Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), Trai chairman PD Vaghela said that it will be difficult to get 5G coverage inside buildings as signals will be transmitted on high frequencies which cover very small distances.

    “Holistic approach will be required to ensure availability of digital infrastructure in building complexes, that also in a non-discriminate manner. There is a huge problem in getting access to the buildings by the infrastructure providers, telecom service providers and other players. We have already prepared a consultation paper and very soon we will come out with a recommendation. This will require a change in by-laws and working with the states very closely,” stated Vaghela.

    Minister of state for telecom Devusinh Chauhan added that digital connectivity empowers people on the ground, and the government is committed to supporting telecom infrastructure companies in this context. “Realising the importance of connectivity, states will also give precedence to connectivity over revenues in the near future,” he further said.

    Telecom secretary K Rajaraman said that the recently announced telecom reforms are a step towards bringing the cost of operations of telecom services in the country further down.

    The telecom department said that it is working towards resolving network rollout issues being faced by telecom companies, as well as enhancing the ease of doing business in the sector.