The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has given another extension for submissions on a consultation paper on “Regulating Converged Digital Technologies and Services – Enabling Convergence of Carriage of Broadcasting and Telecommunication Services”.

The last date for receiving written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper from stakeholders was fixed as February 27, 2023 and for counter- comments as March 13, 2023.

“Keeping in view further requests of stakeholders for extension of time for submission of comments, it has been decided to extend the last date for submission of written comments and counter-comments up to April 3, 2023 and April 17, 2023, respectively,” TRAI said yesterday.

 In the discussion paper TRAI had stated over a period of time, various technological developments in digital markets have resulted in the convergence of devices, services, and networks.

Efficient utilization of resources, increased level of competition, more innovative user applications and technological developments are the main drivers of convergence, and, hence, the issue needed to be looked into from the point of view of adequate regulations.

The issues for consultation include the following:

# Whether the present laws are adequate to deal with convergence of carriage of broadcasting and telecommunication services.

# Whether the existing laws need to be amended to bring in synergies amongst different regulations made by an Act of Parliament to deal with convergence of services.

# Whether there is a need for having a comprehensive/converged legal framework (separate Comprehensive Code) to deal with convergence of carriage of broadcasting services and telecommunication services.

# Whether the present regime of separate licenses and distinct administrative establishments and different ministries for processing and taking decisions on licensing issues are able to adequately handle convergence.

# How can synergies be brought amongst various institutional establishments dealing with standardization, testing and certification.

# What steps are required to be taken for establishing a unified policy framework and spectrum management regime for the carriage of broadcasting services and telecommunication services?

# Beyond restructuring of legal, licensing, and regulatory frameworks of carriage of broadcasting and telecommunication services, whether other issues also need to be addressed for reaping the benefits of convergence holistically.