The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper seeking views on issues related to FM radio broadcasting.
As of December 2018, there are more than 369 operational private radio stations in more than 101 cities and towns across India. The Government of India-owned All India Radio has about 450 FM stations covering 39% of the area and 52% of the population of India.
The issues in the consultation paper include whether FM radio stations should be permitted to broadcast independent news bulletins.
FM radio operators are currently allowed to carry All India Radio (AIR) news bulletins in exactly the same format without any alterations. No other news and current affairs programmes are permitted.
In its statement, TRAI said that industry bodies and players have made representations that FM radio stations must be allowed to broadcast news and current affairs just as it is allowed on private TV channels and digital platforms.
It has also sought views on issues related to the annual license fee and license period for FM radio players. FM radio license holders are required to pay an annual license fee to the government at the rate of 4 per cent of the gross revenue of its FM radio channel for the financial year or 2.5 per cent of the NOTEF (Non-Refundable One Time Entry Fee) for the concerned city, whichever is higher.
TRAI said that last May it received a reference from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in May last year seeking recommendations on two issues – the removal of the linkage to the non-refundable one-time entry fee (NOTEF) in the formula for the annual fee as prescribed in the FM Phase III policy guidelines and recommendations on whether there is a need to extend the existing FM license period of 15 years by three years.
It has also sought comments on whether it should be made mandatory for all mobile handsets sold in the country to have in-built FM radio transmitters, as industry players have said that with the introduction of 4G handsets, device manufacturers and operating systems are turning the FM tuners off.
Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 9 March 2023. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by 23 March 2023.