TRAI chairman calls for level-playing field for broadcasters

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TRAI chairman calls for level-playing field for broadcasters

Telecom providers like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, as well as DTH players like Tata Play and Dish TV, have long been vocal about the 'unfair regulatory framework' when it comes to regulating over-the-top OTT platforms. In a rather progressive stance, PD Vaghela, chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India TRAI, said: There should be a level-playing field for new and old players at the FICCI Frames in Mumbai.

There should be a level playing field. Will we go for regulations for new players? I would scoff at that idea. The present players can not be as regulated and be overburdened with regulators, Vaghela said.

The new broadcasting draft has been issued for public consultation, the broadcasting director said in a statement. It is going to talk about licencing. We haven't received anything about OTT vs other players' licencing fees. There are a lot of new players coming into the game. It's better if we relax regulation of present players rather than making it strict for them, he said.

As soon as the OTT regulations are talked about, the telecom industry says their views aren't being represented and simultaneously the broadcasting industry feels under-represented. My idea is that if you want industry to grow, less regulation is the best regulation. If the government gives me a roadmap, TRAI would walk the talk. We are not afraid of this forbearance, he said.

As far as broadcasting industry is concerned, he added, a lot of reforms have happened.

To move forward, to move forward, we came out with NTO 2.0, and most of the stakeholders are not satisfied with it. We have decided we will handle the issue of broadcasters first, he said. We also said we'll come out with the second one next month. We handle network capacity fee, discount of pay channels, FTA channels, etc. In that case, he said, he was in a situation where he could not be bothered.

He accepts that Free Dish is causing a problem for MSO and DTH operators because they have to pay. We aim to address issues like dis-incentive for non-compliance, charges for installation etc. However, if market forces take over, that would be the best thing. I will be very happy if the industry comes together and gives us a roadmap, he said.

Digital streaming operators do not have to pay a licence fee as DTH players must give 8 per cent of their annual revenues. There should be a level playing field when it comes to licencing. The TRAI can regulate only those players on which government gives licences. We're open to recommendations from the industry, he said.