The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked all cable TV, DTH and IPTV operators to complete their mandatory annual audits for 2025 by December 31.

In an advisory issued yesterday, the regulator warned that companies failing to do so could face financial penalties under its interconnection rules.

TRAI said that many distribution platform operators, or DPOs, have not yet completed the audit of their systems as required under Regulation 15 of the Interconnection Regulations, 2017. The rule makes it compulsory for every TV distributor to get its systems audited once a year by an approved auditor or by Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd (BECIL).

These audits help verify the accuracy of subscriber data and ensure transparency in how DPOs report revenues and share payments with broadcasters.

TRAI has now advised companies to complete both the audit process and submission of the final report before the end of December.

The Interconnection Regulations, which were first issued in March 2017, lay down the framework for how broadcasters and TV distributors work together. Over the years, the rules have been updated several times, most recently in July 2024, to keep pace with changes in the broadcasting sector.

TRAI said this reminder is part of its regular monitoring to make sure that all TV distributors follow the rules and maintain accountability in the system. The regulator added that compliance with the annual audit requirement is essential to protect consumer interests and maintain trust in the broadcasting industry.