The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) yesterday issued the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026, providing a comprehensive framework for auditing digital television distribution platforms in the country.

The regulator said the manual will serve as a guidance document for the audit process and will come into force from April 1, 2026.

The audit manual has been finalised after a detailed consultation process and aligns with the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Seventh Amendment) Regulations, 2026. The new framework aims to strengthen transparency and accountability in the operations of distribution platform operators (DPOs) such as multi-system operators and direct-to-home service providers.

According to TRAI, stakeholders had flagged several issues in the existing audit framework, including repetitive audits, operational disruptions and the need for stronger oversight of auditors. The revised manual addresses these concerns by streamlining the audit process and introducing measures to enhance the credibility and technical competence of auditors.

The regulator said the manual lays down detailed procedures and technical guidance for audits under the digital addressable system (DAS) regime but does not supersede the provisions of the existing regulations governing broadcasting and cable services.

Key highlights of the audit manual, which comes into effect from April l1, are the following:

# Introduces a structured audit framework for digital addressable systems in broadcasting and cable services.

# Seeks to reduce repetitive audits of distribution platform operators to minimise operational disruption.

# Incorporates provisions related to infrastructure sharing within the audit framework.

# Strengthens auditor accountability and introduces categorisation of auditors based on experience.

# Enhances technical proficiency requirements for empanelled auditors.

TRAI, according to its statement, had earlier issued a consultation paper on audit-related provisions in August 2024 and received 64 stakeholder comments and three counter-comments before finalising the manual following an open house discussion in December 2024.