Trai recommendations accepted on IPTV (India)
The government has accepted the recommendations of broadcast tribunal Trai on Internet Protocol TV, setting the stage for faster growth of this new television channel distribution platform.
As part of the recommendations, the uplinking/downlinking norms would be amended to enable the broadcasters to provide signals to all distributors of TV channels, including IPTV service providers, once appropriate provisions are made in the policy.
IPTV segment has all the heavyweight players MTNL, BSNL, Bharti, Reliance Communications which have invested heavily in the network.
MTNL has already started the service. In the meantime, some of the service providers have experienced difficulties in getting television channels from the broadcasters at prices on which DTH service providers are getting in line with Trai’s determination of a-la-carte and bouquet prices on advisory basis.
To have a smooth flow of channels for subscribers, Trai has received a consensus from the broadcasters to adopt non-discriminatory price regime on the composition of bouquets and pricing of channels on a-la-carte and bouquets basis for IPTV services.
According to ministry official these steps should facilitate and expedite the conclusion of interconnection agreements between broadcasters and service providers to offer the services on competitive prices once appropriate provisions in policy are made by the government.
