NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has after considering the views of different stakeholders issued a consultation paper highlighting various issues on whether the government should permit more television channels and DTH platforms in the country.
 
Noting that the television and broadcasting industry has grown tremendously during the last two decades, Trai says the industry has changed the way of life of masses of the country. In the last few years, number of satellite television channels has increased many fold from 136 channels in year 2005 to close to 500 channels today. At present various satellite TV channels of different genres and languages are available to the public.

The consultation paper on “Policy issues on uplinking/downlinking television channels in India ” has been issued following a letter on 8 October last year by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry seeking an opinion on cap on number of satellite television channels, eligibility criteria for and process of granting permission and guidelines to develop the country into a teleport/hub for uplinking/turnaround of TV channels which are not meant for viewing in India. 
 
The Ministry’s reference had been placed on Trai website to solicit preliminary views of the stakeholders on the subject, and the consultation paper has taken into account the preliminary views of the stakeholders
The Authority has invited all stakeholders to respond to the issues raised in this consultation paper by 5 April, 2010. Comments will be posted on Trai website as and when received. Counter comments, if any, to the comments received may be sent to Trai by 15 April.