TRAI releases consultation paper on issues relating to mobile television

New Delhi — The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released a consultation paper on issues relating to mobile television. Mobile television services refer to provision of television services to subscribers for viewing on handheld or portable devices such as mobile phones. The television content can be provided through the mobile telecommunications networks or by using the broadcasting technologies.

2. In India, Doordarshan has already launched its mobile TV service in Delhi on trial basis. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, has sought recommendations of the TRAI on various issues relating to mobile television services, such as international practice, eligibility criteria, net-worth requirement, foreign direct and indirect investment levels, technology to be adopted, revenue sharing, entry fees, bank guarantee, and spectrum to be used.

3. This consultation paper seeks views from stakeholders on various policy issues relating to mobile television service. The main issues on which comments have been sought are –

• Preferred technology for mobile television service
• Preference for Satellite/ Terrestrial system
• Spectrum requirements for analogue/ Digital/ Mobile TV terrestrial broadcasting
• Methodology for frequency spectrum allocation
• Eligibility conditions for grant of license
• Net worth requirements
• The limits for FDI and portfolio investment
• The tenure of license
• The license fee – revenue share system or any other system
• Licenses on national/ regional/ city basis.

4. The Authority has invited all stakeholders to respond to the issues raised in this consultation paper by 30th September, 2007. The comments received will be posted on TRAI’s website.