The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its much-awaited recommendations on “Formulating a Digital Radio Broadcast Policy for Private Radio Broadcasters” along with terms and conditions and reserve price for commencement of digital radio broadcasting service in four A+ category cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, and nine A category cities, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kanpur and Nagpur.
These recommendations were sought by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in April 2024. In this regard, TRAI issued a a consultation paper in September 2024 seeking stakeholders’ comments on various issues. 43 comments and 13 counter-comments were received on the consultation paper and subsequently, an Open House Discussion was held in January 2025.
TRAI has recommended that the digital radio services should commence in Simulcast mode by new broadcasters. The existing analogue FM Radio broadcasters should also be permitted to migrate to simulcast mode on a voluntary basis. It has also been recommended that the period of authorisation for digital radio broadcasting should be 15 years.
The proposed simulcast mode will enable them to broadcast one analog, three digital and one data channel on the assigned spot frequency. A single digital radio technology standard should be adopted in India for introduction of digital radio broadcasting in VHF Band II.
The Government should select a suitable Digital Radio Technology for deployment in India either by holding consultations with main stakeholders, that is, the radio broadcasters and the radio receiver manufacturers; or by incorporating selection of technology in the spectrum auction process; or any other method considered suitable by the government.
For migration to simulcast mode, existing FM radio broadcasters will be required to pay an amount equal to the difference of auction determined price for digital radio broadcasting in a city and the proportionate amount of Non-refundable One Time Entry Fee (NOTEF) for the remaining period of the existing permission.
Radio broadcasters should commence simulcast operations within two years of conclusion of auction process or acceptance of option for migration. Period of authorisation for digital radio broadcasting should be 15 years.
In case of non-operationalisation of services within a period of 24 months, frequency assignment should be withdrawn, and the entity should be debarred from allotment of another spot frequency in the same city for a period of five years from the date of such withdrawal.
Prasar Bharati should share its land and tower infrastructure (LTI) as well as common transmission infrastructure (CTI) with private broadcasters at concessional rental rates while taking full recovery of operational expenses.
The condition for mandatory co-location of transmission infrastructure should be removed, and the authorised entities of Terrestrial Radio Service should be allowed to share infrastructure, on voluntary basis with the entities of broadcasting services, telecom services, infrastructure providers etc. as per technical and commercial feasibility.