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Broadcast regulator TRAI and the Department of Telecoms (DoT) have both extended the deadlines for making submissions to separate consultation papers.
On Friday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) extended time to receive comments on a consultation paper on ‘Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Fourth Amendment) Regulations 2022’.
The new deadline now is November 18, 2022, while counter comments, if any, could be submitted by December 2.
“Some stakeholders have sought further extension of time for sending their comments…In view of this, it has been decided to extend the last date for submission of written comments upto 18th November 2022,” TRAI said in a statement, adding no further requests for extension would be entertained.
Meanwhile, DoT on Thursday said that on being petitioned by stakeholders, the deadline has been extended further by another 10 days for making submissions on the draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022, which had generated lot of discussions around its proposals, including the fact that it could create multiplicity of regulatory authorities instead of simplifying the whole government processes.
“Comments from general public, various stakeholders and industry associations were sought by 10th November, 2022. In response to the requests received from several stakeholders, the (Communications) Ministry has decided to further extend the last date for receipt of comments till 20th November, 2022,” the government said.
The draft Telecoms Bill 2022, which claims to be making Indian communications regulations contemporaneous and liberalised by replacing some antiquated British-era rules, has been criticised for aiming to do exactly the opposite as it could give the government more control.
For example, while the draft Telecoms Bill 2022 seeks to make auctioning of satellite spectrum a reality, the industry stakeholders have been attempting to suggest to the government that such a rule is generally not mandated by mature markets.
