TRAI Extends Deadlines for Public Comments on Proposed Rules and Releases Recommendations for Community Radio Stations
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently announced a deadline extension for public comments and counter-comments related to proposed rules concerning digital connectivity infrastructure and quality of service in the telecommunications industry. The original deadline for submission of comments was set for March 9th, 2023, with counter-comments due on March 23rd. However, due to various reasons, the new deadline for written comments and counter-comments is now April 6th and April 20th, respectively. Interested parties can send their comments and counter-comments to the email addresses provided by TRAI.
In addition to the deadline extension, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has also pushed back the deadline for public comments on some technical standards. Specifically, the deadline for submitting comments on the Adoption of TSDSI transposed 3GPP Release 13 to 17 standards into national standards by Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC) has been extended to March 10th, 2023.
Apart from the deadline extensions, TRAI has also released some new recommendations related to community radio stations. One of the key recommendations is to allow non-profit organizations to set up multiple community radio stations in their areas of operation. This will give these organizations an opportunity to have a broader impact on the communities they serve. Additionally, TRAI has recommended that the duration of advertisements on a community radio station be increased from seven minutes per hour to twelve minutes per hour. Furthermore, the initial permission period for community radio stations should be increased from five years to ten years, and continued service reports should be obtained from the SDM of the concerned district for grant of license extension. TRAI has also recommended that organizations seeking to set up multiple stations should submit an undertaking confirming that the programs will be prepared locally and not sent from other CRS. Finally, TRAI has suggested that an organization should be allowed to set up a maximum of six CRS throughout the country.
These recommendations are significant for the community radio sector in India, as they provide a framework for the establishment and operation of community radio stations. By allowing non-profit organizations to set up multiple stations, TRAI is encouraging greater community involvement and participation in the sector. Additionally, increasing the duration of advertisements and the initial permission period for CRS will provide more stability and financial security for community radio stations.
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