TRAI releases consultation paper on FM radio broadcasting issues

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on "issues related to FM Radio broadcasting".

TRAI, in a statement, said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting vide its references dated May 11, 2022, had sought recommendations of the authority under section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997 on the following issues: Remove the linkage to Non-Refundable One Time Entry Fee (NOTEF) in the formula for annual fee as prescribed in the FM Ph-III Policy Guidelines dated July 25, 2011. Secondly, to extend the existing FM license period of 15 years by three years. 

In order to discuss various issues related to FM radio broadcasting, TRAI held a meeting with representatives of Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) on August 5, 2022.

Representatives of AROI raised the following issues for consideration of the Authority: Permitting private FM Radio channels to broadcast independent news bulletins, and availability of FM Radio receivers in mobile handsets. 

Accordingly, the consultation paper has been prepared to seek the comments/views of the stakeholders on the issues related to FM Radio broadcasting

Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by March 9, 2023. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by March 23, 2023, TRAI stated.

The full text of the consultation paper is available on www.trai.gov.in.

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