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Tag: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

  • TRAI may moot MRP for bouquet TV channels; no price cap on unbundled premium products

    TRAI may moot MRP for bouquet TV channels; no price cap on unbundled premium products

    MUMBAI: Broadcast carriage regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has lined up a slew of draft guidelines relating to tariff, quality of service and interconnections, including proposing maximum retail price (MRP) for channels being bundled in genre-wise bouquets, freeing unbundled premium channels of  price caps and reining in the last mile cable operator (LCO) from breaching revenue-gravy trail.

    The draft recommendations, outcome of several consultation papers issued by TRAI over the last 12 months, could be discussed in a meeting that the regulator likely to have on Wednesday with stakeholders. Representatives of organisations like All-India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) are likely to be part of the meeting.

    Other topics for discussion at this meeting may revolve aroundanalogue tariffs to be levied in phase III and phase IV areas until sunset dates.

    Sources in TRAI indicated the regulator is in favour of introducing MRP for TV channels that broadcasters offer in a bouquet to MSOs so the prices could be conveyed to a consumer in a transparent manner for him to make an empowered choice.

    Though broadcasting companies do submit annually a-la-carte rates of their respective channels to TRAI, the regulator is of the opinion that a consumer doesn’t ultimately get to choose the channel of his choice transparently.

    How will the MRP be fixed? TRAI feels that the broadcasters should convey the price themselves as they were the best judge of their products and the same would be conveyed to the consumer. Or, the regulator could moot a formula for fixing the MRP.

    Fully aware that such measures could be termed restrictive and intrusive by industry players, TRAI is likely to dangle sops and suggest that broadcasters were free to price a premium channel at any level, but such channels cannot be part of any bouquet or bundling.

    The draft proposals, being fine-tuned by TRAI officials, are likely to be put out in public domain over the next 7-10 days. As these guidelines pertain to carriage services, the regulator can notify them itself. The likely date from which they would come into effect is April 2017. Unless, of course, somebody moves the court challenging the guidelines.

    Apart from these, TRAI is also toying with the idea of introducing an app with the help of which a consumer can get a TV channel from his distribution platform operator (DPO) after furnishing details like area of residence and area service provider’s name. The details will be get forwarded to the DPO concerned for further action.

    TRAI feels that with over 90 per cent of the areas in Phase 1, II and III already receiving digitised TV services, there would be no dearth of opportunities even if the sunset date of December 2016 for Phase IV or complete digitisation gets pushed by few months into 2017.

    In its consultation paper, issued in January 2016, TRAI had stated broadcast industry in India had been driven largely by satellite TV distribution business and unorganized growth of cable TV. During the early days, broadcasters were directly dealing with the cable operators who aggregated and carried broadcast TV services to end users. The distribution model was, according to the regulator, heavily skewed towards advertisement-driven revenues due to difficulties in maintaining transparency in the flow of subscription revenues across the analog value chain, which have become more transparent with the rollout of digital services or digitisation pushed by MIB andTRAI.

    Though TRAI had mandated a-la-carte availability of broadcast TV channels across the value chain, including subscribers, the a-la-carte tariff is presently structured in such a manner that makes it devoid of value proposition vis-à-vis bundled offerings,TRAI highlighted in its January paper (available at http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/ConsultationPaper/Document/CP_Tariff_issues_29_Jan_2016_final.pdf ), adding consumer was the “ultimate sufferer” ending up receiving hundreds of TV channels many of which remain confined to his STB and never viewed.

    ALSO READ: TRAI releases consultation paper on tariff issues for TV services

    ALSO READ: TRAI allows more time for reactions on QoS methodology under DAS

  • TRAI may moot MRP for bouquet TV channels; no price cap on unbundled premium products

    TRAI may moot MRP for bouquet TV channels; no price cap on unbundled premium products

    MUMBAI: Broadcast carriage regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has lined up a slew of draft guidelines relating to tariff, quality of service and interconnections, including proposing maximum retail price (MRP) for channels being bundled in genre-wise bouquets, freeing unbundled premium channels of  price caps and reining in the last mile cable operator (LCO) from breaching revenue-gravy trail.

    The draft recommendations, outcome of several consultation papers issued by TRAI over the last 12 months, could be discussed in a meeting that the regulator likely to have on Wednesday with stakeholders. Representatives of organisations like All-India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) are likely to be part of the meeting.

    Other topics for discussion at this meeting may revolve aroundanalogue tariffs to be levied in phase III and phase IV areas until sunset dates.

    Sources in TRAI indicated the regulator is in favour of introducing MRP for TV channels that broadcasters offer in a bouquet to MSOs so the prices could be conveyed to a consumer in a transparent manner for him to make an empowered choice.

    Though broadcasting companies do submit annually a-la-carte rates of their respective channels to TRAI, the regulator is of the opinion that a consumer doesn’t ultimately get to choose the channel of his choice transparently.

    How will the MRP be fixed? TRAI feels that the broadcasters should convey the price themselves as they were the best judge of their products and the same would be conveyed to the consumer. Or, the regulator could moot a formula for fixing the MRP.

    Fully aware that such measures could be termed restrictive and intrusive by industry players, TRAI is likely to dangle sops and suggest that broadcasters were free to price a premium channel at any level, but such channels cannot be part of any bouquet or bundling.

    The draft proposals, being fine-tuned by TRAI officials, are likely to be put out in public domain over the next 7-10 days. As these guidelines pertain to carriage services, the regulator can notify them itself. The likely date from which they would come into effect is April 2017. Unless, of course, somebody moves the court challenging the guidelines.

    Apart from these, TRAI is also toying with the idea of introducing an app with the help of which a consumer can get a TV channel from his distribution platform operator (DPO) after furnishing details like area of residence and area service provider’s name. The details will be get forwarded to the DPO concerned for further action.

    TRAI feels that with over 90 per cent of the areas in Phase 1, II and III already receiving digitised TV services, there would be no dearth of opportunities even if the sunset date of December 2016 for Phase IV or complete digitisation gets pushed by few months into 2017.

    In its consultation paper, issued in January 2016, TRAI had stated broadcast industry in India had been driven largely by satellite TV distribution business and unorganized growth of cable TV. During the early days, broadcasters were directly dealing with the cable operators who aggregated and carried broadcast TV services to end users. The distribution model was, according to the regulator, heavily skewed towards advertisement-driven revenues due to difficulties in maintaining transparency in the flow of subscription revenues across the analog value chain, which have become more transparent with the rollout of digital services or digitisation pushed by MIB andTRAI.

    Though TRAI had mandated a-la-carte availability of broadcast TV channels across the value chain, including subscribers, the a-la-carte tariff is presently structured in such a manner that makes it devoid of value proposition vis-à-vis bundled offerings,TRAI highlighted in its January paper (available at http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/ConsultationPaper/Document/CP_Tariff_issues_29_Jan_2016_final.pdf ), adding consumer was the “ultimate sufferer” ending up receiving hundreds of TV channels many of which remain confined to his STB and never viewed.

    ALSO READ: TRAI releases consultation paper on tariff issues for TV services

    ALSO READ: TRAI allows more time for reactions on QoS methodology under DAS

  • TRAI to play peacemaker on telecoms interconnect issues

    NEW DELHI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman R S Sharma yesterday said it will facilitate a meeting of telecoms companies soon with an aim to resolve the raging debate regarding interconnection issues between operators.

    Addressing an inter-active meeting of the FICCI-ICT and Digital Economy Committee here on Tuesday, Sharma said that issues can be resolved through an across-the-table discussion with the CEOs of telecom companies.

    It is learnt that the meeting was held in the backdrop of recent changes in different telecom plans after Reliance Jio unveiled a slew of disruptive marketing initiatives. The new entrant has also been claiming its subscribers were experiencing massive call-drops as incumbents were not providing adequate points of interconnect.

    As to why the industry finds itself in this position, and whether it was due to lack of proper regulation and certain licensing issues, the chief regulator refused to comment. However, he added regulations do not leave scope for ambiguity.

    Sharma spoke on a range of issues, including the 20 consultation papers released in the last 18 months, and that were in various stages of study. These, according to Sharma, were necessary for removing ambiguity in the telecoms sector, and allowing stakeholders to function in harmony.

    TRAI felt the need for consultation papers in order to bring about a comprehensive regulatory framework that will plug gaps in the system and facilitate the industry to grow seamlessly.

    Sharma told the members that, with the advent of technology such as cloud computing and internet of things (IOT), ICT was transforming every sector and telecoms players should leverage the opportunities. Earlier, technology was on the periphery, but, in the last decade, with disruptive technologies coming in, it had become a central tool, Sharma said, adding that ICT also brough with it efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

    Speaking on competition issues in general in the telecoms sector, Sharma said TRAI promoted healthy competition while safeguarding interest of the consumers as it was “paramount”.

    India, he said, already had a world-class telecom network, and with new technologies coming in, services too should become world class. India should strive for next-generation network by employing new technologies such as Loons, Solar Planes and White Spaces, he said emphasising that there was a need to harmonize issues of business interest with disruptive technologies.

    To achieve this, it was necessary to put down licensing rules, norms and quality aspects through regulation, Sharma asserted.

    Responding to queries raised by industry regarding restrictions on experimentation, innovations and use of new technologies, Sharma said TRAI was in favour of new technologies with appropriate permissions. However, he added that these technologies should be interoperable without being in silos.

  • TRAI to play peacemaker on telecoms interconnect issues

    NEW DELHI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman R S Sharma yesterday said it will facilitate a meeting of telecoms companies soon with an aim to resolve the raging debate regarding interconnection issues between operators.

    Addressing an inter-active meeting of the FICCI-ICT and Digital Economy Committee here on Tuesday, Sharma said that issues can be resolved through an across-the-table discussion with the CEOs of telecom companies.

    It is learnt that the meeting was held in the backdrop of recent changes in different telecom plans after Reliance Jio unveiled a slew of disruptive marketing initiatives. The new entrant has also been claiming its subscribers were experiencing massive call-drops as incumbents were not providing adequate points of interconnect.

    As to why the industry finds itself in this position, and whether it was due to lack of proper regulation and certain licensing issues, the chief regulator refused to comment. However, he added regulations do not leave scope for ambiguity.

    Sharma spoke on a range of issues, including the 20 consultation papers released in the last 18 months, and that were in various stages of study. These, according to Sharma, were necessary for removing ambiguity in the telecoms sector, and allowing stakeholders to function in harmony.

    TRAI felt the need for consultation papers in order to bring about a comprehensive regulatory framework that will plug gaps in the system and facilitate the industry to grow seamlessly.

    Sharma told the members that, with the advent of technology such as cloud computing and internet of things (IOT), ICT was transforming every sector and telecoms players should leverage the opportunities. Earlier, technology was on the periphery, but, in the last decade, with disruptive technologies coming in, it had become a central tool, Sharma said, adding that ICT also brough with it efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

    Speaking on competition issues in general in the telecoms sector, Sharma said TRAI promoted healthy competition while safeguarding interest of the consumers as it was “paramount”.

    India, he said, already had a world-class telecom network, and with new technologies coming in, services too should become world class. India should strive for next-generation network by employing new technologies such as Loons, Solar Planes and White Spaces, he said emphasising that there was a need to harmonize issues of business interest with disruptive technologies.

    To achieve this, it was necessary to put down licensing rules, norms and quality aspects through regulation, Sharma asserted.

    Responding to queries raised by industry regarding restrictions on experimentation, innovations and use of new technologies, Sharma said TRAI was in favour of new technologies with appropriate permissions. However, he added that these technologies should be interoperable without being in silos.

  • Prasar Bharati responds to TRAI consultation paper; open to sharing DTT infrastructure

    Prasar Bharati responds to TRAI consultation paper; open to sharing DTT infrastructure

    NEW DELHI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati has sent its viewpoints  to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s consultation paper on the involvement of the private sector in digital terrestrial broadcasting (which has been its forte, so far).

    In its response, it has stated that, even as it supports the move, it feels that the potential of available distribution options need to be critically analysed to fulfill their requirements (for example coverage, capacity, reception mode, type of service etc).

    The public broadcaster has also said that the terrestrial broadcast platform will be relevant in the long term if its usage offers veritable benefits to the broadcasters, the audiences and the society as a whole. Even in countries where cable, satellite or broadband hold a significant market share, terrestrial broadcasting is usually regarded as an essential, flexible and reliable way of delivering broadcast content to a mass audience.

    In its response to 11 questions asked by TRAI in its Consultation Paper on ‘Issues related to Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting in India,’ the pubcaster says that the terrestrial platform must be digital to remain viable in the long term.

    Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar had told indiantelevision.com in an interview earlier that it had cleared DTT for the private sector more than a year ago.

    Given the vast landscape of the country, Prasar Bharati says DTT is absolutely vital. It is thus crucial to ensure that, in the long term, the terrestrial distribution networks should be capable of delivering the current and future, advanced linear broadcast services, and fulfilling the  ever-increasing  requirements for quality and  choice  of services, including non-linear broadcast services.

    The benefits offered by DTT according to the pubcaster are:

    •         Near-universal coverage,

    •         Ability to provide for fixed, portable and mobile reception,
                Ability to efficiently provide regional and local content

    •         It is flexibility and content format agnostic. The newer formats of TV channels such as HD TV, 3D TV, UHD TV, data and radio services etc. can thus be delivered.

    •         Technical and cost efficiency,

    •         Efficient  use  of  spectrum  as  multiple  program channels  can  be transmitted using one TV spectrum channel of 8 MHz

    •         Network has ruggedness and not prone to catastrophic failure and sabotage from enemies

    •         Terrestrial broadcasting has strategic importance along the borders

    •         A potential for further development.

    Even with the presence of huge number of DTH and cableTV channels, a strong terrestrial platform is critical to healthy competition in the TV and radio market and to the realisation of a wide range of social and cultural benefits and most essentially an all-weather reliable platforms for the distribution of radio and TV signals, says the pubcaster.

    As indicated in the consultation paper, there are 247 million households in India as per the 2011 census, and a large number of these, particularly in rural and remote areas, depend completely on the FTA (free-to-air) terrestrial broadcasting TV services provided by the public broadcaster.

    Thus, in order to meet consumer expectations and ensure optimum utilization of resources, a digital terrestrial TV service having suitable bouquet of TV channels and nationwide coverage is very essential, says the pubcaster.

    It stresses that DTT is being provided in FTA mode in most of the countries. Its capability to provide local content will facilitate in providing social benefits of promoting local talent, local culture and music, generating employment, catering to local self-governance information needs, etc.

    This powerful combination would be difficult to replicate by any single alternative technology. DTT secures greater plurality in platform ownership, ensuring that no single platform owner is so powerful that it can exert undue influence on public opinion, and hence is the need for every country.

    DTT broadcasting has emerged as one of the popular digital television platforms in countries such as the UK, the US, Japan, Germany, France and Australia as it turns out to be one of the most economical broadcast transmission systems. In the DTT broadcasting process, everybody watches the same content at the same time, and it guarantees everybody the same high level of service, since they are all bathed in the same signal, and that too free to air, whereas, in OTT, the received signal quality depends upon number of viewers watching it, simultaneously.

    By the end of 2015, DTT constituted the second highest user base worldwide among the digital TV broadcast platforms next only to that of digital cable TV services.

    The pubcaster feels that, to optimise the time and resources, DTT can be started with two multiplexes at each location, and can be enhanced to three/four in due course of time, may be after analogue switchoff (ASO). Nation-wide coverage plan may further be implemented in time-bound phased manner as has been done in the case of implementation of DAS cable system.

    Infrastructure sharing will be essential for easy and cost-effective implementation of DTT service in India. Sharing would be essential so as to minimise the cost of implementation and faster roll-out. The experience sharing during implementation of FM expansion may be considered as an input for DTT roll-out.

    Deciding a national standard for DTT service is quintessential to have a volume of scale in terms of DTT ecosystem.  Doordarshan has already adopted DVB-T2 for itsDTT service, and it would be beneficial for the nation to adopt DVB-T2 as the national standard. Besides volume of scale, it may eliminate interoperability issues. Most of the countries are following a single national standard for DTT.

    The television viewer needs variety in programming content which may be possible when private channels are allowed on terrestrial platform. This is also required to make attractive and competitive bouquet.

    Prasar Bharati, however, says that it has to be ensured that the consumers are not impacted or charged heavily for private services. Issues regarding quality of service, grievance redressal etc. are also important.

    Doordarshan also needs to see that it continues to be the public service provider while providing wholesome content. The faster roll-out of DTT would require support from every stakeholder (government/private) for creating nation-wide network.

    Prasar Bharati already has huge infrastructure such as land, building, towers, trained manpower, networks, etc, for its terrestrial transmission. It has also initiated setting up of DTT transmitters. Doordarshan has already installed 23 DVB-T2 transmitters at 19 locations and services have been started at 16 locations. Also, it is in the process of expanding this to 63 locations.

    Doordarshan has gained enough experience and has good expertise in the field of DTT implementation including coverage and frequency planning, design of DTT network, procurement, execution, measurement and testing, field  surveys  etc.  It  is , therefore, a  better-placed  entity  for setting  up Integrated DTT Broadcasting network that includes private broadcasters as well.

    In this scenario, Prasar Bharati may also become a content aggregator for sharing transmitter capacity with private service-providers to give variety of content while the platform remains with it.

    This will ensure public service broadcasting can be strengthened in the country and reach of services from public broadcaster will enhance immensely; dissemination of social, educational programmes to masses; no new regulatory framework required for implementation of DTT; existing infrastructure will be optimally utilized; and introduction of a variety of services making DTT more competitive.

    Doordarshan has already got funds from government to pioneer DTT, and it is seeking additional funds from it to complete it.  Private broadcasters may be charged a suitable fee for using this infrastructure. This has already been implemented in the DD DTH service.

    For DTT expansion plan phase 1 and 2, one option could be that Prasar Bharati  (Doordarshan) gets government funds and charges a fee from private broadcasters as in the case of the pioneer plan; or Doordarshan (Government) and private broadcaster can share the capital expenditure in a suitable sharing model. Revenue may also be shared using the same model.

    Considering the present situation in India and to optimise  time and resources, DTT can be started with two multiplexes at 63 locations and can be enhanced to three/four in due course, may be after ASO.  A suggestive model for integrated DTT broadcasting network could be:

    i)      DTT may be implemented at 630 locations almost immediately where Doordarshan (Prasar Bharati) has already started implementation of DTT and infrastructure is almost ready. Private operators may be allowed to share this infrastructure by paying a suitable fee to Doordarshan as is being done in the case of DD DTH service. [This may be called DTT Pioneer Plan]

    ii)      Of the remaining 567 locations, wherever Doordarshan has sufficient requisite infrastructure, DVB-T2 multiplexes may be established and private  broadcasters can  share  those  exactly  in  the  same  way. [This may be called DTT Expansion Plan-Phase1]

    iii)     A new CTI (common transmission) infrastructure may be established at all other places where Doordarshan infrastructure is not available. These CTIs may be established by an experienced separate entity (e.g., BECIL). However, the ownership may be with Doordarshan (or a consortium). The process for this may be started in parallel to phase-1 but may have a different target date as establishment of new CTI will take more time. [This may be called DTT Expansion Plan-Phase2]

    It will be difficult to earmark exclusive spectrum for DTT as Doordarshan is already using the UHF band-IV for analog TV service. Besides, Doordarshan is also using band-IV for DTT and has planned utilization of band-IV and band-V frequencies for already approved DVB-T2 transmitters. It has also planned a DTT transmitter network at 630 locations with 2 MUXs, in Band-IV and Band-V.

    For the simulcast period, additional spectrum is required for the parallel transmission of TV services in analogue and digital mode. The required amount of spectrum will heavily depend on the introduction strategy adopted for DTT. ITU-R studies have concluded that 224 MHz spectrum would be required in UHF band for implementation of four to five DTT Multiplex at each location. Whereas, in India, practically only 176 MHz (470-646MHz) spectrum is available in UHF band. It would be appropriate that the entire broadcasting band 470-698 MHz may be made available.

    In a statement that may help the private sector, Prasar Bharati said that countries boosted switching to digital by giving subsidy on STBs; mandatory DTT tuner in all TV receivers after a certain date; awareness campaign regarding ASO; incentives to broadcasters in terms of spectrum charges for providing simulcast, and dialogue and incentives to manufacturer/importer of DTT receiving equipment.

    India would certainly need such concerted efforts to popularize digital reception and achieve ASO. With the concerted effort, India may think of a simulcast period of at least 6-12 months before switching off analogue transmitters. As the digitization is proposed to be implemented in a phased manner, ASO will also happen in a phased manner. However, the situation will have to be reviewed before actually switching off.

    The pubcaster has suggested that provision of DVB-T2 Tuner can be made mandatory on all TVs imported/manufactured in India after 1 April 2018. Similarly, embedding of DVB-T2/T2 Lite tuner in mobile phones should also be mandated on the same date.

    Also read: http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/terrestrial/prasar-bharati-ceo-prasar-bharati-not-opposed-to-private-players-entry-in-dtt-160620

     

  • Prasar Bharati responds to TRAI consultation paper; open to sharing DTT infrastructure

    Prasar Bharati responds to TRAI consultation paper; open to sharing DTT infrastructure

    NEW DELHI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati has sent its viewpoints  to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s consultation paper on the involvement of the private sector in digital terrestrial broadcasting (which has been its forte, so far).

    In its response, it has stated that, even as it supports the move, it feels that the potential of available distribution options need to be critically analysed to fulfill their requirements (for example coverage, capacity, reception mode, type of service etc).

    The public broadcaster has also said that the terrestrial broadcast platform will be relevant in the long term if its usage offers veritable benefits to the broadcasters, the audiences and the society as a whole. Even in countries where cable, satellite or broadband hold a significant market share, terrestrial broadcasting is usually regarded as an essential, flexible and reliable way of delivering broadcast content to a mass audience.

    In its response to 11 questions asked by TRAI in its Consultation Paper on ‘Issues related to Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting in India,’ the pubcaster says that the terrestrial platform must be digital to remain viable in the long term.

    Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar had told indiantelevision.com in an interview earlier that it had cleared DTT for the private sector more than a year ago.

    Given the vast landscape of the country, Prasar Bharati says DTT is absolutely vital. It is thus crucial to ensure that, in the long term, the terrestrial distribution networks should be capable of delivering the current and future, advanced linear broadcast services, and fulfilling the  ever-increasing  requirements for quality and  choice  of services, including non-linear broadcast services.

    The benefits offered by DTT according to the pubcaster are:

    •         Near-universal coverage,

    •         Ability to provide for fixed, portable and mobile reception,
                Ability to efficiently provide regional and local content

    •         It is flexibility and content format agnostic. The newer formats of TV channels such as HD TV, 3D TV, UHD TV, data and radio services etc. can thus be delivered.

    •         Technical and cost efficiency,

    •         Efficient  use  of  spectrum  as  multiple  program channels  can  be transmitted using one TV spectrum channel of 8 MHz

    •         Network has ruggedness and not prone to catastrophic failure and sabotage from enemies

    •         Terrestrial broadcasting has strategic importance along the borders

    •         A potential for further development.

    Even with the presence of huge number of DTH and cableTV channels, a strong terrestrial platform is critical to healthy competition in the TV and radio market and to the realisation of a wide range of social and cultural benefits and most essentially an all-weather reliable platforms for the distribution of radio and TV signals, says the pubcaster.

    As indicated in the consultation paper, there are 247 million households in India as per the 2011 census, and a large number of these, particularly in rural and remote areas, depend completely on the FTA (free-to-air) terrestrial broadcasting TV services provided by the public broadcaster.

    Thus, in order to meet consumer expectations and ensure optimum utilization of resources, a digital terrestrial TV service having suitable bouquet of TV channels and nationwide coverage is very essential, says the pubcaster.

    It stresses that DTT is being provided in FTA mode in most of the countries. Its capability to provide local content will facilitate in providing social benefits of promoting local talent, local culture and music, generating employment, catering to local self-governance information needs, etc.

    This powerful combination would be difficult to replicate by any single alternative technology. DTT secures greater plurality in platform ownership, ensuring that no single platform owner is so powerful that it can exert undue influence on public opinion, and hence is the need for every country.

    DTT broadcasting has emerged as one of the popular digital television platforms in countries such as the UK, the US, Japan, Germany, France and Australia as it turns out to be one of the most economical broadcast transmission systems. In the DTT broadcasting process, everybody watches the same content at the same time, and it guarantees everybody the same high level of service, since they are all bathed in the same signal, and that too free to air, whereas, in OTT, the received signal quality depends upon number of viewers watching it, simultaneously.

    By the end of 2015, DTT constituted the second highest user base worldwide among the digital TV broadcast platforms next only to that of digital cable TV services.

    The pubcaster feels that, to optimise the time and resources, DTT can be started with two multiplexes at each location, and can be enhanced to three/four in due course of time, may be after analogue switchoff (ASO). Nation-wide coverage plan may further be implemented in time-bound phased manner as has been done in the case of implementation of DAS cable system.

    Infrastructure sharing will be essential for easy and cost-effective implementation of DTT service in India. Sharing would be essential so as to minimise the cost of implementation and faster roll-out. The experience sharing during implementation of FM expansion may be considered as an input for DTT roll-out.

    Deciding a national standard for DTT service is quintessential to have a volume of scale in terms of DTT ecosystem.  Doordarshan has already adopted DVB-T2 for itsDTT service, and it would be beneficial for the nation to adopt DVB-T2 as the national standard. Besides volume of scale, it may eliminate interoperability issues. Most of the countries are following a single national standard for DTT.

    The television viewer needs variety in programming content which may be possible when private channels are allowed on terrestrial platform. This is also required to make attractive and competitive bouquet.

    Prasar Bharati, however, says that it has to be ensured that the consumers are not impacted or charged heavily for private services. Issues regarding quality of service, grievance redressal etc. are also important.

    Doordarshan also needs to see that it continues to be the public service provider while providing wholesome content. The faster roll-out of DTT would require support from every stakeholder (government/private) for creating nation-wide network.

    Prasar Bharati already has huge infrastructure such as land, building, towers, trained manpower, networks, etc, for its terrestrial transmission. It has also initiated setting up of DTT transmitters. Doordarshan has already installed 23 DVB-T2 transmitters at 19 locations and services have been started at 16 locations. Also, it is in the process of expanding this to 63 locations.

    Doordarshan has gained enough experience and has good expertise in the field of DTT implementation including coverage and frequency planning, design of DTT network, procurement, execution, measurement and testing, field  surveys  etc.  It  is , therefore, a  better-placed  entity  for setting  up Integrated DTT Broadcasting network that includes private broadcasters as well.

    In this scenario, Prasar Bharati may also become a content aggregator for sharing transmitter capacity with private service-providers to give variety of content while the platform remains with it.

    This will ensure public service broadcasting can be strengthened in the country and reach of services from public broadcaster will enhance immensely; dissemination of social, educational programmes to masses; no new regulatory framework required for implementation of DTT; existing infrastructure will be optimally utilized; and introduction of a variety of services making DTT more competitive.

    Doordarshan has already got funds from government to pioneer DTT, and it is seeking additional funds from it to complete it.  Private broadcasters may be charged a suitable fee for using this infrastructure. This has already been implemented in the DD DTH service.

    For DTT expansion plan phase 1 and 2, one option could be that Prasar Bharati  (Doordarshan) gets government funds and charges a fee from private broadcasters as in the case of the pioneer plan; or Doordarshan (Government) and private broadcaster can share the capital expenditure in a suitable sharing model. Revenue may also be shared using the same model.

    Considering the present situation in India and to optimise  time and resources, DTT can be started with two multiplexes at 63 locations and can be enhanced to three/four in due course, may be after ASO.  A suggestive model for integrated DTT broadcasting network could be:

    i)      DTT may be implemented at 630 locations almost immediately where Doordarshan (Prasar Bharati) has already started implementation of DTT and infrastructure is almost ready. Private operators may be allowed to share this infrastructure by paying a suitable fee to Doordarshan as is being done in the case of DD DTH service. [This may be called DTT Pioneer Plan]

    ii)      Of the remaining 567 locations, wherever Doordarshan has sufficient requisite infrastructure, DVB-T2 multiplexes may be established and private  broadcasters can  share  those  exactly  in  the  same  way. [This may be called DTT Expansion Plan-Phase1]

    iii)     A new CTI (common transmission) infrastructure may be established at all other places where Doordarshan infrastructure is not available. These CTIs may be established by an experienced separate entity (e.g., BECIL). However, the ownership may be with Doordarshan (or a consortium). The process for this may be started in parallel to phase-1 but may have a different target date as establishment of new CTI will take more time. [This may be called DTT Expansion Plan-Phase2]

    It will be difficult to earmark exclusive spectrum for DTT as Doordarshan is already using the UHF band-IV for analog TV service. Besides, Doordarshan is also using band-IV for DTT and has planned utilization of band-IV and band-V frequencies for already approved DVB-T2 transmitters. It has also planned a DTT transmitter network at 630 locations with 2 MUXs, in Band-IV and Band-V.

    For the simulcast period, additional spectrum is required for the parallel transmission of TV services in analogue and digital mode. The required amount of spectrum will heavily depend on the introduction strategy adopted for DTT. ITU-R studies have concluded that 224 MHz spectrum would be required in UHF band for implementation of four to five DTT Multiplex at each location. Whereas, in India, practically only 176 MHz (470-646MHz) spectrum is available in UHF band. It would be appropriate that the entire broadcasting band 470-698 MHz may be made available.

    In a statement that may help the private sector, Prasar Bharati said that countries boosted switching to digital by giving subsidy on STBs; mandatory DTT tuner in all TV receivers after a certain date; awareness campaign regarding ASO; incentives to broadcasters in terms of spectrum charges for providing simulcast, and dialogue and incentives to manufacturer/importer of DTT receiving equipment.

    India would certainly need such concerted efforts to popularize digital reception and achieve ASO. With the concerted effort, India may think of a simulcast period of at least 6-12 months before switching off analogue transmitters. As the digitization is proposed to be implemented in a phased manner, ASO will also happen in a phased manner. However, the situation will have to be reviewed before actually switching off.

    The pubcaster has suggested that provision of DVB-T2 Tuner can be made mandatory on all TVs imported/manufactured in India after 1 April 2018. Similarly, embedding of DVB-T2/T2 Lite tuner in mobile phones should also be mandated on the same date.

    Also read: http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/terrestrial/prasar-bharati-ceo-prasar-bharati-not-opposed-to-private-players-entry-in-dtt-160620

     

  • TRAI extends dates for views on AGR issues relating to Spectrum

    TRAI extends dates for views on AGR issues relating to Spectrum

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has extended the dates for getting views on minimum presumptive AGR for Spectrum and VSAT licenses.

    A release today said comments can be sent on 13 October with countercomments if any by 27 October 2016.Following a query by the Department of Telecom on25 June 2016, TRAI had asked stakeholdersif spectrum assignment on location basis/link-by-link basis on administrativebasis to ISPs, be continued in the specified bands.

    In the consultation paper issued following the DoT letter,the regulator has discussed issues relating to minimum presumptive AGR for ISPlicenses and VSAT licenses and other issues raised by DoT in its reference of25 June 2014, and 15 May 2015. The information/clarifications were furnished toDoT in the letter of 2 March 2016.

    The DoT had soughtTRAI’s recommendations in terms of clause 11(1) of TRAI Act 1997 (as amended)on:

    (A) ISP license (i) Rates for SUC; (ii) Percentage of AGR including minimum AGR; (iii) Allied issues like schedule of payment, charging ofinterest, penalty and Financial Bank Guarantee (FBG).

    (B) Commercial VSAT license (i) Floor level (minimum) AGR, based on the amount ofspectrum held by commercial VSAT operators. The Authority said in 2014 it had suo motu undertaken theexercise of review of definition of revenue base (AGR) for the reckoning oflicence fee (LF) and  spectrum usage charges (SUC).

    The Consultation Paper wasissued on 31st July 2014 and Recommendations on 6 January 2015. The Recommendationsalong with other issues also contain recommendations on minimum presumptiveAGR. In the Recommendations of 6 January 2015, the Authority hadrecommended that minimum presumptive AGR for the purpose of LF and SUC should notbe made applicable for any licenses granted by the Government for providingtelecom services.

    Paper available on trai.gov.in

    Also read

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-issues-consultation-paper-on-agr-issues-relating-to-spectrum-160819

     

  • TRAI extends dates for views on AGR issues relating to Spectrum

    TRAI extends dates for views on AGR issues relating to Spectrum

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has extended the dates for getting views on minimum presumptive AGR for Spectrum and VSAT licenses.

    A release today said comments can be sent on 13 October with countercomments if any by 27 October 2016.Following a query by the Department of Telecom on25 June 2016, TRAI had asked stakeholdersif spectrum assignment on location basis/link-by-link basis on administrativebasis to ISPs, be continued in the specified bands.

    In the consultation paper issued following the DoT letter,the regulator has discussed issues relating to minimum presumptive AGR for ISPlicenses and VSAT licenses and other issues raised by DoT in its reference of25 June 2014, and 15 May 2015. The information/clarifications were furnished toDoT in the letter of 2 March 2016.

    The DoT had soughtTRAI’s recommendations in terms of clause 11(1) of TRAI Act 1997 (as amended)on:

    (A) ISP license (i) Rates for SUC; (ii) Percentage of AGR including minimum AGR; (iii) Allied issues like schedule of payment, charging ofinterest, penalty and Financial Bank Guarantee (FBG).

    (B) Commercial VSAT license (i) Floor level (minimum) AGR, based on the amount ofspectrum held by commercial VSAT operators. The Authority said in 2014 it had suo motu undertaken theexercise of review of definition of revenue base (AGR) for the reckoning oflicence fee (LF) and  spectrum usage charges (SUC).

    The Consultation Paper wasissued on 31st July 2014 and Recommendations on 6 January 2015. The Recommendationsalong with other issues also contain recommendations on minimum presumptiveAGR. In the Recommendations of 6 January 2015, the Authority hadrecommended that minimum presumptive AGR for the purpose of LF and SUC should notbe made applicable for any licenses granted by the Government for providingtelecom services.

    Paper available on trai.gov.in

    Also read

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-issues-consultation-paper-on-agr-issues-relating-to-spectrum-160819

     

  • COAI vs. TRAI: Is incumbents’ wrath justified?

    COAI vs. TRAI: Is incumbents’ wrath justified?

    When an industry organisation goes out on a limb to hit out against one of its own members, it raises questions. When the industry body is a powerful one like Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), it should raise eyebrows all round.

    In a rare instance, COAI, an apex body representing Indian and global telecom companies providing telecoms-related converged services (voice, broadband, VAS, content, etc) in the country, went public with its grievances against Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) alleging the regulator’s actions (rather proposed ones) were biased against incumbent players.

    What COAI meant is that a discussion paper of  TRAI, which has a possibility of forming basis of a regulation in future, is designed to favour new players in the telecoms convergence arena (read Reliance JIO).

    Oh boy! This industry body-regulator face-off  is not only juicy but is a curious one on many counts too.

    First, it’s rare for an industry organisation comprising companies with  competing business interests to go public with a view that hits out against one of its own members.

    Second, the under-current of panic (or is it arrogance?) amongst existing established telcos at the arrival of  a  newcomer may indicate to lack of self-confidence though it must be admitted that the cash-rich new kid on the block has the potential of starting a pricing bloodbath that can turn the bottomlines of existing players scarlet.

    Third and last, going public accusing the regulator of bias and appealing to the government to intervene may not be the correct way to address the issue of bias, if at all it exists. Simply because getting the government involved as a third umpire could be slippery slope.

    So, why is COAI hitting out at TRAI and insinuating that the regulator’s discussion papers on inter-connects and related issues are drafted to benefit Reliance JIO, which has publicly stated has invested about Rs. Rs. 1,34,000 crore so far in the project?

    COAI’s allegations revolve around  the way  telecoms business is done via inter-connections (where a service provider lets its customer hook on to another network in the absence of its own infrastructure in an area), the charges levied therein and the fact that certain aspects of the business is being tried to be removed to ease the entry path of newcomer Reliance JIO. The latter has  claimed to have 15 lakh customers in a test/trial phase with over 50 per cent call drops in the absence of other telcos refusing to interconnect despite the fact Reliance JIO’s network is quite widespread in the country.

    An industry and trade organisation normally settles differences and conflicting interests of members (that is bound to exist and should be allowed to flourish in the true spirit of transparency and democracy)  beyond the pale of public glare as a divided house is not taken as seriously  by  target audience.

    But by washing part of the dirty linen in public via the executive office, COAI may end up undermining its own credibility as an organisation representing the telecoms sector in India.

    Thus, even if there are differences of opinion (and business interest) within COAI, the dissenting note(s), if there were any, also should have been played  out so transparency was maintained.

    This brings us to incumbents’ sense of entitlement.

    Existing telcos (and many other players in other businesses too), all claiming to have subscriber bases in millions in the world’s largest market in terms of numbers, have often cried foul at the arrival of a disruptive newcomer or technology saying in the interest of a level playing field the new entities should also be regulated and restricted.
    Reliance JIO could turn out to be as ruthless and apathetic to customer satisfaction as some other existing players in the future, but that’s no reason to create more hurdles in its path or object to its test services.

    One wonders where was the level playing field when Indian telecom customers, plagued by indifferent implementation of consumer protection laws and falling quality of services, turned towards cheaper and newer technologies to communicate? And when it became apparent to incumbents that the new techs were more efficient (for example, OTT services, including Skype, WhatsApp, etc), again the bogey of level-playing field was raised to seek regulatory interventions.

    A status quo is the best scenario for existing players all over the globe; and especially so in India where any change or possibility of  betterment of consumer satisfaction is resisted more efficiently than providing a service. The recent Delhi taxi and auto-rickshaw unions stir against cab aggregators like Ola and Uber is a great case in point of the sense of entitlement that existing players in business and politics want to have in India; irrespective of (pathetic) quality of services and low customer satisfaction.

    Though Reliance JIO is capable of  taking care of  its interests in all possible ways, as is evident in the letter it sent out to Telecoms Secretary JS Deepak earlier this month rebutting COAI’s allegations point-by-point,  the double-standards of existing telcos is not only confounding but also goes against the grain of level-playing field that COAI and its members have flaunted so often in the past.

    (The author is Consulting Editor of Indiantelevision.com)

  • COAI vs. TRAI: Is incumbents’ wrath justified?

    COAI vs. TRAI: Is incumbents’ wrath justified?

    When an industry organisation goes out on a limb to hit out against one of its own members, it raises questions. When the industry body is a powerful one like Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), it should raise eyebrows all round.

    In a rare instance, COAI, an apex body representing Indian and global telecom companies providing telecoms-related converged services (voice, broadband, VAS, content, etc) in the country, went public with its grievances against Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) alleging the regulator’s actions (rather proposed ones) were biased against incumbent players.

    What COAI meant is that a discussion paper of  TRAI, which has a possibility of forming basis of a regulation in future, is designed to favour new players in the telecoms convergence arena (read Reliance JIO).

    Oh boy! This industry body-regulator face-off  is not only juicy but is a curious one on many counts too.

    First, it’s rare for an industry organisation comprising companies with  competing business interests to go public with a view that hits out against one of its own members.

    Second, the under-current of panic (or is it arrogance?) amongst existing established telcos at the arrival of  a  newcomer may indicate to lack of self-confidence though it must be admitted that the cash-rich new kid on the block has the potential of starting a pricing bloodbath that can turn the bottomlines of existing players scarlet.

    Third and last, going public accusing the regulator of bias and appealing to the government to intervene may not be the correct way to address the issue of bias, if at all it exists. Simply because getting the government involved as a third umpire could be slippery slope.

    So, why is COAI hitting out at TRAI and insinuating that the regulator’s discussion papers on inter-connects and related issues are drafted to benefit Reliance JIO, which has publicly stated has invested about Rs. Rs. 1,34,000 crore so far in the project?

    COAI’s allegations revolve around  the way  telecoms business is done via inter-connections (where a service provider lets its customer hook on to another network in the absence of its own infrastructure in an area), the charges levied therein and the fact that certain aspects of the business is being tried to be removed to ease the entry path of newcomer Reliance JIO. The latter has  claimed to have 15 lakh customers in a test/trial phase with over 50 per cent call drops in the absence of other telcos refusing to interconnect despite the fact Reliance JIO’s network is quite widespread in the country.

    An industry and trade organisation normally settles differences and conflicting interests of members (that is bound to exist and should be allowed to flourish in the true spirit of transparency and democracy)  beyond the pale of public glare as a divided house is not taken as seriously  by  target audience.

    But by washing part of the dirty linen in public via the executive office, COAI may end up undermining its own credibility as an organisation representing the telecoms sector in India.

    Thus, even if there are differences of opinion (and business interest) within COAI, the dissenting note(s), if there were any, also should have been played  out so transparency was maintained.

    This brings us to incumbents’ sense of entitlement.

    Existing telcos (and many other players in other businesses too), all claiming to have subscriber bases in millions in the world’s largest market in terms of numbers, have often cried foul at the arrival of a disruptive newcomer or technology saying in the interest of a level playing field the new entities should also be regulated and restricted.
    Reliance JIO could turn out to be as ruthless and apathetic to customer satisfaction as some other existing players in the future, but that’s no reason to create more hurdles in its path or object to its test services.

    One wonders where was the level playing field when Indian telecom customers, plagued by indifferent implementation of consumer protection laws and falling quality of services, turned towards cheaper and newer technologies to communicate? And when it became apparent to incumbents that the new techs were more efficient (for example, OTT services, including Skype, WhatsApp, etc), again the bogey of level-playing field was raised to seek regulatory interventions.

    A status quo is the best scenario for existing players all over the globe; and especially so in India where any change or possibility of  betterment of consumer satisfaction is resisted more efficiently than providing a service. The recent Delhi taxi and auto-rickshaw unions stir against cab aggregators like Ola and Uber is a great case in point of the sense of entitlement that existing players in business and politics want to have in India; irrespective of (pathetic) quality of services and low customer satisfaction.

    Though Reliance JIO is capable of  taking care of  its interests in all possible ways, as is evident in the letter it sent out to Telecoms Secretary JS Deepak earlier this month rebutting COAI’s allegations point-by-point,  the double-standards of existing telcos is not only confounding but also goes against the grain of level-playing field that COAI and its members have flaunted so often in the past.

    (The author is Consulting Editor of Indiantelevision.com)