Breaking: TRAI releases consultation papers on telecommunication services interconnection regulations and DAS audit manual
Stakeholders are invited to submit their written comments on the consultation paper by September 6. Counter-comments, if any, may be submitted by September 20.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a Consultation Paper today on the "Audit-Related Provisions of Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 and the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual."
According to the consultation paper released by TRAI, a copy of which is with Storyboard18 states that TRAI has exempted Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) with a subscriber base below a specified threshold of twenty or thirty thousand from the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) audit process. Additionally, it states that in such cases, broadcasters may be explicitly permitted to conduct subscription audits and compliance audits of the systems of these exempted DPOs. Broadcasters will ensure that the monthly subscription reports provided by the distributor are complete, true, and accurate.
The consultation paper also prominently discusses the issues related to infrastructure sharing between Headend-In-The-Sky (HITS) operators and Multi-System Operators (MSOs).
A senior industry leader, who is aware of the developments, said, "We are currently reviewing the consultation paper and will submit our suggestions to the government. Many topics have been discussed and amended in the new consultation papers."
With the complete digitization of the cable TV sector, TRAI notified the Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting and Cable Services on March 3, which included the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as Interconnection Regulation).
Additionally, TRAI issued the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual (hereinafter referred to as Audit Manual) on November 8, 2019.
One of TRAI's primary objectives is to create a fair and equitable environment for all stakeholders. The Interconnection Regulation establishes a trust-based system through third-party auditors to balance the diverse interests of various service providers, including broadcasters and distributors, while keeping consumers at the forefront.
Independent audits are a core principle of the Interconnection Regulations. In this context, some stakeholders have suggested that certain amendments are needed in the audit-related provisions of the Interconnection Regulation, 2017.
Furthermore, following the acceptance of TRAI's recommendations on "Sharing of Infrastructure in the Television Broadcasting Distribution Sector" dated March 29, 2017, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued guidelines for infrastructure sharing. Therefore, it is important to review the existing framework and incorporate the necessary provisions into the Interconnection Regulation, 2017 and the Audit Manual.
Stakeholders are invited to submit their written comments on the consultation paper by September 6. Counter-comments, if any, may be submitted by September 20.
