Category: Regulation

TRAI chief terms 5G spectrum auction consultation as ‘watershed’

TRAI chief terms 5G spectrum auction consultation as ‘watershed’

TRAI Chairman P D Vaghela on Tuesday termed the consultation paper on 5G spectrum auction as "watershed in history of telecom" as the regulator embarked on the last phase of industry-wide deliberation through open house discussions, ahead of finalising its views on crucial aspects such as pricing of radio waves. I...

India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has said it suspended the registration of about 276 MSOs in April, though the reasons were not publicly outlined. However, the MIBs also stated that despite the latest action, the total number of MSOs in the country stood at 1761 at the end of April 2022. The number includes MSOs whose registrations were suspended. From the data put on the website of the Ministry, it is not clear whether the MSOs whose registrations got suspended could get back to delivering normal services as and when the objections raised by the government were addressed and anomalies in the registrations were rectified. A few of the suspended MSOs --- as highlighted by the MIB --- did change the structure of their companies from partnership to proprietorship entities. The list of suspended MSOs could be viewed on the MIB website at https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/List%20of%20Registered%20MSOs%20as%20on%2030.04.2022.pdf. There were four MSOs whose registrations were cancelled/surrendered during the month of April. The applications of Shivam Cable & Broadband Private Limited of East Medinipur in West Bengal and Gujrata State's Bhuj-based Rallyon Technology were rejected by the MIB owing to suppression of vital information. In March 2022 also MIB had rejected the application of two MSOs as they had withheld relevant information from the government. The registration of Panduranga Cable Network of Telengana was cancelled in April 2022 due to non-operation. Ditto for Karnataka’s RK Digital Cable TV Network. As per a government order of 2017, all registered MSOs, unless indicated in the registration order specifically, can operate anywhere in India.

MIB says action taken against 160 TV channels

The government on Thursday said it was concerned about the freedom of speech and expression and that the country was not in the times of 1975 or the Emergency.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan told the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) that the government has init...

Telcos implement TRAI rules on monthly voucher schemes

TRAI details fresh timelines for TV tariff implementation

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has pushed a bit further the implementation of the new tariff regime for TV channels, acceding to stakeholders’ requests for more time owing to the challenges thrown up by COVID-19 restrictions.

“Keeping in view the current pandemic si...

Telcos implement TRAI rules on monthly voucher schemes

TRAI directive to telcos on monthly plan validity

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in its fresh order issued on Thursday has mandated that telecom service providers in the country must offer at least one-plan voucher which has a validity of up to 30-days.

It has also mandated that telecom service providers (TSPs) must pr...