TRAI issues guidelines for ease of doing business in broadcasting sector

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations on ‘Ease of Doing business in Broadcasting Sector’, in which it has called for streamlining of the procedural framework for grant of permission/ registration/ licenses by removing redundant processes, re-engineering necessary processes, and making them efficient using ICT. 

Moreover, security clearances required for grant of permission/ license for broadcasting service should be issued within a period of 60 days. 

The regulator felt that existing procedures of referring the applications to empanelled chartered accountants and Department of Revenue for verification of relevant compliances do not lead to any value addition and hence, TRAI wanted it to be replaced by a system of self-declaration.

While the broadcasting sector so far has been replete with success, TRAI is of the view that this sector has immense potential to move on a higher trajectory of growth by removing procedural bottlenecks and making business propositions more attractive. 

TRAI has also mooted setting up an online integrated portal for broadcasters, teleport operators and distributors of TV channels, which should facilitate the filing, processing and tracking of applications, payments, frequency assignments, endorsements and renewals with common database. 

The Regulator has also recommended that registration of LCOs and their renewal be carried out through online portal. 

It also called for simplification of the procedure for effecting changes in the logo, name, language and format. 

It has asked the Government to consider creating a centre of excellence exclusively for broadcasting services. 

TRAI further stated that the allocation of spectrum for commercial satellite usage should be carried out throughout the year. It felt that the current procedure of intermittent opening of window neither has any stated objective nor does it ensure judicious use of space spectrum.