Tag: Trai

TRAI extends DTH licence period to 20 years

MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations for a new DTH licensing regime today. As part of this, the period of DTH licence has been extended from the current 10 years to 20 years, renewable by 10 years at a time.

The Regulator has said that the existing licence fee will be reduced from 10 per cent of gross revenue to 8 per cent of adjusted gross revenue, in line with the telecom licences.

Also, the existing DTH licensees will be permitted to migrate to new regime at any time during the currency of the existing licences. Meanwhile, the one time entry fee has been retained at Rs 10 crore.

The salient features of the recommended new DTH licensing regime are as follows:

• The   period   of DTH license to be increased from   10 years to 20 years, renewable by 10 years at a time.

• One time entry fee to be retained at Rs 10 crore.

• Existing license fee to be reduced from 10 per cent of gross revenue (GR) to 8 per cent of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) in line with the telecom licenses.

• The existing DTH licensees to be permitted to migrate to new regime at any time during the currency of their existing licenses.

• BIS   to   come    out    with    updated    specifications for    STBs in consultation with TRAI which should be complied by DTH licensees.

• The DTH licensees to be mandated to comply with the tariff order scheme prescribed by TRAI for commercial inter-operability.

The salient features of the Recommendation on Cross Holding/Control in the Broadcasting and Distribution Sectors are as follows:

• Policy on Cross-holding/Control to be restructured to bring in uniformity in the broadcasting and distribution sectors.

• Comprehensive definition of ‘control’ to be uniformly adopted in all segments of broadcasting and distribution sectors.

• Relevant market for DTH to be the   entire country and   for MSO /HITS – State.

• Broadcasters and Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) – MSO /HITS and DTH operators to be separate legal entities.

Rationalised and regulated vertical integration to be permitted between broadcasters and DPOs.

• Vertically integrated broadcaster(s) and DPO   to   be   subjected   to additional set of regulations.

•A vertically integrated broadcaster to be permitted to control only one DPO.

• A vertically integrated DPO to be restricted from controlling any other DPO of other category in the relevant market.

• A vertically integrated DPO not to be permitted to acquire more than 33 per cent of the market share in the relevant market.

The additional regulations for a vertically integrated broadcaster to include:

• The   agreements with   the   DPOs   to be non-discriminatory and   on charge-per-subscriber (CPS) basis.

• To file the   Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) for approval by the Authority. All Interconnection Agreements to be only on the terms specified in the RIO.

• To make disclosures as prescribed by the Authority.

The additional regulations for a vertically integrated DPO would include:

• DPO to declare its channel carrying capacity and not to reserve more than 15 per cent of this capacity for its vertically integrated broadcaster(s). Rest of the capacity to be offered to other broadcasters on non¬ discriminatory basis.

• DPO   to   publish the   access fees   for carriage of channels over   its network. The    charging of   the    access fees    should be   on   non discriminatory basis.

• To make disclosures as prescribed by the Authority.

• The   Authority to come   out   with   appropriate Regulations/Orders for the regulatory framework and disclosures after    the   government   takes the   policy decision on the recommendations.

Click here to read the full recommendation paper

July 23, 2014
TRAI extends date for responses on migration to IP-based networks

NEW DELHI: Even as the issue of migration to IP-based networks and requirement of regulatory intervention in IP based interconnection requires urgency, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India today extended time on the request of stakeholders to respond to a Consultation Paper issued by it on 30 June.

Stakeholders have been asked to respond by 19 August with counter-comments if any by 26 August.

The consultation paper wanted the opinion of stakeholders on interconnection requirements for application and content service providers; quality of service issues; and various other operational issues- sharing of network elements, emergency numbering etc.

Traditional telecommunication systems are migrating towards more powerful and viable internet protocol based telecommunication systems. Migration to IP based network will result in co-existence of legacy network along with IP based network. The new IP based network as well as its co-existence with legacy network will give rise to several operational, interconnection and quality of service issues which needs to be addressed for the successful migration to IP based networks.

Full text of the consultation paper is available on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in.

July 21, 2014
TRAI recommends no change in entry fee for mobile number portability for service providers

NEW DELHI: There should be no change in the entry fee for mobile number portability (MNP) service providers for implementing Full Mobile Number Portability, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said today.

It also said the Performance Bank Guarantee and Financial Bank Guarantee for the MNP service providers should be continued according to the existing licence conditions.

The recommendations were made in response to the Department of Telecom on additional entry fee, Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) and Financial Bank Guarantee (FBG) to be charged from the existing Mobile Number Portability licensees for enhancement of scope of their licence.

In accordance with the provisions contained in the National Telecom Policy 2012 regarding “One Nation- Full Mobile Number Portability,” TRAI received a reference from the DoT on 27 December 2012, seeking the recommendations of TRAI for implementing full Mobile Number Portability across the country.

After consultation with the stakeholders and examination of various issues, TRAI had given its recommendations on ‘Full Mobile Number Portability’ to the Department on 25 September 2013.

On 2 July this year, the DoT conveyed the acceptance of the said recommendations and requested TRAI to give its opinion for additional entry fee, PBG and FBG to be charged from the existing Mobile Number Portability licensees for enhancement of scope of their license.

The issues indicated in the DoT’s reference have been examined by the Authority and response to the said issues has been finalised.

July 21, 2014
TRAI permits sharing of spectrum in same band

NEW DELHI: Considering that spectrum sharing results in better spectral efficiency, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today said all access spectrum in the bands of 800/900/1800/2100/ 2300/2500 MHz will be sharable provided that both the licensees are having spectrum in the same band.

A portion of additional capacity created needs to be counted for the purpose of applying the prescribed spectrum caps of 25 per cent of total spectrum assigned and 50 per cent in a band. For the limited purpose of applying the prescribed market caps, 50 per cent of the spectrum held by the other licencee in the band being shared shall be counted as the additional spectrum being held by the licensee.

Considering the fact that sharing results in additional quantity of spectrum with both the licensees to serve higher number of consumers, the SUC rate of each of the licensees post-sharing shall increase by 0.5 per cent of AGR.

Both the licensees, willing to share their spectrum, shall inform the licensor at the time of entering into spectrum sharing agreement.

The TRAI recommendations on ‘Guidelines on Spectrum Sharing’ were issued after it constituted a Steering Committee consisting of senior officers of TRAI and representatives of all the TSPs to frame the guidelines for spectrum sharing in February this year.

On the basis of deliberations in the Steering Committee and its own analysis, the Authority has finalised its recommendations on ‘Guidelines on Spectrum Sharing’.

Spectrum sharing refers to an arrangement between two access licensees (CMTS/UASL/UL (AS)/UL) where both licensees having access spectrum in the same band, pool their respective spectrum in the same Licence Service Area (LSA) for their simultaneous use, using a common Radio Access Network (RAN). The shared RAN will be connected to the core networks of each of the licensee. Both the licensees will continue to hold their primary right over their own spectrum.

The basic objective of spectrum sharing is to provide an opportunity to the TSPs to pool their spectrum holdings and gain the better spectral efficiency. Spectrum sharing would involve both the service providers utilising the spectrum. Leasing of spectrum is not permitted.

At present, there are many licensees having administratively assigned spectrum in the 800 MHz 900 MHz and 1800 MHz band. If any one of the two licensees, sharing their spectrum, has administratively assigned spectrum in that band, then after sharing, they will be permitted to provide only those services which can be provided through administratively held spectrum.

If both the licensees are sharing that spectrum which has either been assigned through an auction in the year 2010 or afterwards, or on which the licensee has already paid the prescribed market value (as decided by the Government from time to time) to the Government, they can offer services using all those technologies (namely GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE etc.), which they can independently provide through their own spectrum holding.

Spectrum sharing results in better spectral efficiency, TRAI said.

The recommendations on ‘Guidelines on Spectrum Sharing’ are available TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in.

July 21, 2014
TRAI amends tariff order for commercial subscribers

MUMBAI: After having invited comments from stakeholders regarding the imposition of tariff on commercial subscribers, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come out with the amendment to the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Second) Tariff Order, 2004 (6 of 2004).

The twelfth amendment will come into effect from the date of its publication in the official gazette.

Going with the 24 responses to the earlier consultation pepper, there is no distinction between an ordinary and a commercial subscriber. The definition of a ‘commercial establishment’ (CE) has been included and ‘commercial subscriber’ (CS) has been amended.

Accordingly, the new definition of a CE is “any premises wherein any trade, business or any work in connection with, or incidental or ancillary thereto, is carried on and includes a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860), and charitable or other trust, whether registered or not, which carries on any business, trade or work in connection with, or incidental or ancillary thereto, journalistic, printing and publishing establishments, educational, healthcare or other institutions run for private gain, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, eating houses, pubs, bars, residential hotels, malls, airport lounges, clubs or other places of public amusements or entertainment”.

The definition of a CS is “any person who receives broadcasting services or cable services at a place indicated by him to a cable operator or multi system operator or direct to home operator or head end in the sky operator or Internet Protocol television service provider, as the case may be, and uses such services for the benefit of his clients, customers, members or any other class or group of persons having access to his commercial establishment.”

Abiding by a recent Supreme Court verdict, TRAI has stated that in the rates of TV services, there should be no differentiation between an ordinary subscriber and a commercial subscriber and the charges for both should be per TV set basis. This is applicable when the establishment does not specifically charge the customer for the service. In case, it does, then the broadcaster and the CS can mutually agree on the tariff.

A broadcaster cannot directly supply signals to the CS just as the same isn’t done for an ordinary subscriber. The CS can obtain signals only from a distribution platform operator such as MSO, DTH operator, cable operator, IPTV operator or a HITS operator. This is in line with the rule regarding downlinking of TV channels in India, which states that an applicant company can provide decoders only to registered distribution platforms.

This would also ensure competition to be healthy.

The point regarding sub categorisation of commercial subscribers into similarly-placed groups has been dismissed with only one distinction of those who provide it as part of their amenities to guests and those who don’t.

The regulator expects that with this amendment, the distribution of TV services to commercial subscribers will be streamlined and the services would be available at competitive rates.

Click here for the ammendment

Click here for the press release

July 16, 2014
JAINHITS conducts first ever LCO meet in Chennai

MUMBAI: JAINHITS, India’s first and only HITS based Direct to Network (DTN) service, attracted a large number of local cable operators (LCOs) at its first ever state business meet in Chennai.

While the dispute with the central government regarding DAS license to the state-owned ARASU network is not showing any signs of early resolution, the cable operators showed interest in the JAINHITS platform and expressed their resolve to digitise their networks because they did not want to miss the advantages of the digital revolution and also because their clients want the legal and transparent framework for running their promising business.

At the meet, senior members of JAINHITS briefed cable operators about JAINHITS’ services and offerings. They further briefed on JAINHITS cost effective solutions to LCOs for running fully DAS compliant digital cable TV services. During the interactive meet the LCO’s were interested to know more on the entire spectrum of consumer products and services that will be provided by JAINHITS such as high speed, cloud and hybrid broadband TV (HBB TV).

The key concern of the LCOs was the ownership of the control room and they were happy to learn that they can set up their own control room at nominal costs while maintaining QOS (Quality of Service Standards) as prescribed by TRAI.

Queries and concerns of LCOs regarding technology, services, channel packages, DAS regulations etc were addressed by JAINHITS team. LCOs were provided with a brief overview on the digitisation scenario of the country vis-?-vis digitization in Tamil Nadu. They were also educated on how JAINHITS technology helps them to achieve digitization and addressability in one go. JAINHITS team also gave the demo of their MPEG – 4 high quality signals to prove the superiority of their service.

Addressing the meet, JAINHITS chairman Dr JK Jain stated that JAINHITS is supporting the struggle of small and independent local cable operators who are under the threat of big money lords. He also said that the monopoly over the content as well as on the distribution channels is not a desirable practice. JAINHITS supports a decentralized model of electronic media ownership and therefore is forging partnerships with small Cable Operators. He further added that his company believes in transparent business dealings. Conducting such joint meetings with Cable Operators aims at promoting the understanding and business acumen of the stakeholders.The greatest beneficiary of JAINHITS in the State of Tamil Nadu is going to be the State Government because the system will stop the theft of Government revenues and shall improve the tax collections and compliance by a large number of TV viewers.

Enthusiastic team of young entrepreneurs and cable operators who have constituted ABCN Network organised the event. JAINHITS has already appointed ABCN the non exclusive regional service partners.

ABCN chairman Marimuthu said, “One of JAINHITS key propositions is that it allows cable operators to retain business control and simultaneously enhance their growth with a very-low capital solution for digitization.” Mr. Nazir Ali, CEO of the ABCN told the Cable Operators at the meet that as the DAS deadline is getting closer (30th September and 31st December 2014), it is imperative that cable operators of the state of Tamil Nadu join hands with India’s first and only HITS player.

The company also used the platform to introduce some exclusive discounts and offers and some exclusive head end deals to those who commit large subscriber base.

JAINHITS offers high quality cost effective solutions to LCOs for running fully DAS compliant Digital Cable TV services to its subscriber. It also offers high speed broadband service, multi-screen, and many more value added services along with consumer products such as cloud broadband, hybrid broadband TV (HBB TV) etc. Currently JAINHITS offers 250+ channels including all major pay TV and soon full HD and multi-screen service shall be avaiable to consumers.

Currently, JAINHITS is offering dual audio feed to seven channels namely Disney, Cartoon Network, Pogo,Discovery, History TV18, Animal Planet and Nickelodeon. JAINHITS has partnered with the world’s leading technology company ARRIS (former Motorola Home) and Intelsat – the largest Satellite Company in the world. The key proposition of the JAINHITS platform is conversion of LCO as MSO with very minimum cost and providing all end to end solutions for Digital cable and Broadband services. With this, JAINHITS is all set to install over 3000 Mini Downlink Headend’s across India by the end of 2014, the 32 districts of Tamil Nadu will play a significant role.

July 15, 2014
Reduced ceiling tariffs for Domestic Leased Circuits to boost broadband and e-governance

NEW DELHI: In a step aimed at boosting usage of broadband, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has reduced ceiling tariffs for Point-to-Point Domestic Leased Circuits (P2P-DLCs) of E1 (2Mbps), DS3 (45 Mbps) and STM-1 (155 Mbps) capacities and has brought DLCs of STM-4 (622 Mbps) capacity under tariff regulation.

The tariffs for a Domestic Leased Circuit (DLC) of less than E1 capacity have been left under forbearance. The revised tariff regime for DLCs will come into effect from 1 August.

A leased circuit is a two-way link for the exclusive use of a subscriber regardless of the way it is used by the subscriber. A leased circuit having both its end-links within India is termed as DLC. Since DLCs provide the backbone for not only the telecommunication services sector but also a host of knowledge based industries, these are arguably key inputs for the economic growth of the country.

Under the present licensing regime, both national long distance operators (NLDOs) and access service providers (ASPs) can provide DLCs. The DLCs form crucial building blocks for the delivery of various services like e-commerce, e-governance, Internet access for the masses and knowledge based industries like business process outsourcing (BPO), information technology (IT) and information technology enabled eervices (ITES) industries. Enterprises, having their offices spread out in the country, lease-in bandwidth capacities (i.e. DLCs) from the TSPs to carry their data and voice traffic.

Besides, telecom service providers (TSPs) who do not own sufficient transmission infrastructure in any geographical area also lease-in DLCs in order to provide various telecommunication services to their customers.

Since 1999, the tariffs for P2P-DLCs have been regulated in the form of ceiling tariffs on the basis of capacity and distance. The tariffs for DLCs were last revised in the year 2005. The present exercise to review tariffs for DLCs was initiated by TRAI earlier this year in the context of decline in per unit costs of providing DLCs due to (i) increase in demand, (ii) increase in transmission infrastructure and (iii) increase in the bandwidth carrying capacity of transmission media, and signs of lack of competition in some parts of the country.

After following a comprehensive consultation process, the Authority, through the TTO (57^th Amendment), 2014, has brought about the following changes in the tariff regime for DLCs:

(a) Tariffs for DLCs of less than E1 capacity have been kept under forbearance.

(b) Ceiling tariffs for DLCs of E1, DS-3 and STM-1 capacities have been reduced.

(c) The DLCs of STM-4 capacity, tariff for which was under forbearance, have been brought under tariff regulation by way of prescription of ceiling tariffs.

With the implementation of the reduced ceiling tariffs, the customers seeking DLCs on the thin routes connecting small cities, remote and hilly areas etc. (i.e. the routes which are not sufficiently competitive) would be benefited.

July 14, 2014
TRAI extends time on consultation paper on VAS by cable and DTH ops

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India today decided to give more time to stakeholders to respond to its consultation paper on regulatory framework for platform services.

Stakeholders can now respond by 29 July with counter-comments by 5 August following request by stakeholders.

Some of the issues the paper issued on 23 June had raised include questions on whether services issued by TV channels should be defined as broadcast channels or value-added services. TRAI is also seeking the stakeholders’ opinion on issues such as the kind of content that platform services should be allowed to transmit. Issues, registration process, security clearances, limits on geographical reach of these channels, compliance with advertising and content code, and conditions of imposing penal provisions in case of violations have also been raised.

All cable TV and DTH operators offer different kinds of programming services that are only shown on their platform but not obtained from broadcasters. These are called platform services. These include movies, music or local news channels offered by the cable operator as well as value-added services such as ‘movie on demand’ and ‘pay per view’ services offered by the DTH players.

The Regulator’s move to regulate platform services comes after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry expressed concern about the transmission of these local channels over a wide geographical area, like any other national or regional channel, without obtaining any permission from the Ministry.

The Ministry note said it believed that a proper regulatory framework is required to govern these channels and value-added services since programming is similar to the programmes transmitted by regular TV channels.

July 14, 2014
Mobile usage shows increase in broadband subscribers between April-May

NEW DELHI: There was an increase of 5.82 per cent in the number of broadband subscribers in May, as against a mere 1.45 per cent in the number of broadband subscribers between March and April this year.

Data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) shows that the total number of subscribers between April and May went up from 61.74 million to 65.33 million in all segments: wired subscribers, mobile device users (Phones + Dongles), and fixed wireless (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to-Point Radio & VSAT).

The largest change of 7.66 per cent was in the mobile segment, whereas wired subscribers showed an increase of 0.25 per cent and fixed wireless segment showed a change of 0.16 per cent.

Top five broadband service providers constitute 84.35 per cent market share of total broadband subscribers at the end of May-14. They are BSNL (17.70 million), Bharti Airtel (13.84 million), Vodafone (8.23 million), Idea (8.19 million) and Reliance Communications Group (7.15 million).

The top five Wired Broadband Service providers are BSNL (9.98 million), Bharti Airtel (1.40 million), MTNL (1.13 million), Beam Telecom (0.39 million) and YOU Broadband (0.39 million).

The top five Wireless Broadband Service providers are Bharti Airtel (12.43 million), Vodafone (8.23 million), Idea (8.19 million), BSNL (7.72 million) and Reliance Communications Group (7.04 Million).

July 12, 2014
Government takes legislative step to accommodate Nripendra Misra in PMO

NEW DELHI: The change of government always brings about a shake-up of senior executives in various posts, and this is done even if it necessitates changing laws to accommodate an individual or an individual’s chosen one.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is being amended so that former TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra – a 1967-batch IAS officer who is now 69 years of age – can be appointed as principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A bill in this regard was introduced in the Lok Sabha to replace an ordinance brought out by the government to amend the act which prohibited its chairman and members from taking up any other job in the central or state governments after demitting office.

Some Congress members told indiantelevision.com that this would open the Pandora’s Box as it would be used by every successive government to bring their favourites to key posts. Furthermore, this precedent may lead to amendments in other organisations where similar restrictions have been put in place.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party issuing a whip to its members to support the bill, it is bound to be passed. However, it may face a tougher task in the Rajya Sabha where the BJP does not have a majority.

The TRAI (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was debated in the House today.

According to the present TRAI Act: “The chairperson or any other member ceasing to hold office as such shall (a) be ineligible for further employment under the central government or any state government or (b) not accept any commercial employment, for a period of two years from the date he ceases to hold such office.”

The ordinance amends this section to read as: “The chairperson and the whole-time members shall not, for a period of two years from the date on which they cease to hold office as such, except with the previous approval of the central government, accept “(a) any employment either under the central government or under any state government; or “(b) any appointment in any company in the business of telecommunication service.”

Misra is an IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre and his appointment as principal secretary will be co-terminus with the term of the PM or till further orders, according to an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel. The principal secretary to the PM is a key post and acts as main link for coordination among Prime Minister’s Office, cabinet secretariat and secretaries of ministries.

July 11, 2014