TRAI reviews regulatory framework of broadcasting sector

The Indian telecom regulator, TRAI on Wednesday initiated a comprehensive review of the existing regulatory framework governing the Broadcasting and Cable Services sector. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) identified some of the broad issues affecting the interests of the consumers and orderly growth of the sector after digitisation of cable television networks in most of the urban areas. The TRAI stated that some of the issues like delay in signing of written interconnection agreements and allocation of specific responsibilities between MSOs (multiple system operators) and LCOs (local cable operators) have already been addressed. “Now, it has been mandated that the service providers should sign new interconnection agreement before expiry of their existing agreement,” TRAI said in a statement. “For allocation of specific responsibilities between MSOs and LCOs, the Authority has notified the formats of Model Interconnection Agreement (MIA) and Standard Interconnection Agreement (SIA),” it added. The telecom regulator further said that it is in the pre-consultation stage on issues of interoperability of set-top boxes (STBs), provisioning of broadband services using cable networks and sharing of infrastructure. The regulator added that it is also working on creating guidelines for ‘radio audience measurements’ to bring transparency in radio rating data being published. IANS