Trai chairman 2023

The telecom operators like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, and DTH players like Tata Play and Dish TV have long been vocal about the 'unfair regulatory framework' when it comes to regulating over-the-top (OTT) platforms. In a rather progressive stance, PD Vaghela, Chairman at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), said that there should be a level-playing field for new and old players alike at the FICCI Frames in Mumbai. "There should be a level playing field. But should we go for regulations for the new players? I would scoff at that idea. Rather can the present players not be as regulated and be overburdened with regulators," Vaghela said. He added that the new broadcasting draft has been issued for public consultation. "It will talk about licencing. We've not received anything about OTT v/s other players licencing fee. New players will come. it's better if we relax regulation of present players rather than making it strict for them," he adds. He said that as soon as OTT regulations are talked about, the telecom industry says their views aren't being represented and simultaneously the broadcasting industry feels under-represented. "My idea is that if you want industry to grow, less regulation is the best regulation. If the government gives me a roadmap, TRAI would walk the talk. We're not afraid of this forbearance," he said. Talking of the New Tariff Order (NTO) 2.0, he added that as far as the broadcasting sector is concerned, a lot of reforms have happened....

TRAI chairman PD Vaghela. File photo. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman P D Vaghela on Wednesday pitched for a level-playing field on content delivery across all modes including OTT, DTH and cable. He said at present, there is a lack of the same, pointing out that while a direct-to-home operator like Tata Sky pays an 8 per cent licence fee after availing a licence to operate, there is no such requirement for the local cable operator. Over the top (OTT) platforms like Netflix do not require any licence to set up shop, nor do they pay any fees, Vaghela said, speaking at the annual Ficci Frames event here. Replying a specific question on whether regulatory levies depend on technologies deployed or the end service delivered, Vaghela said, “the way the technology is changing, the way new players are coming, one simple way would be to provide the level-playing field in form of a simple regime on licensing, licence fee or cross sector holdings.” Trais mandate calls for regulating only those businesses which are licensed by the government, Vaghela said, making it clear that the statutes do not allow for the same right now. He, however, said that the watchdog has done a lot of research on the aspect which has revealed certain “startling facts”. “We have done a lot of research… we will see whether we should enter into this area (of regulating OTTs), and you will see the issue of a consultation paper and make recommendations to the government,” Vaghela added. Vagh...

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New Delhi: India will be the first country to auction spectrum for satellite communication and it should be designed to attract investments in the sector, said PD Vaghela, TRAI Chairman on Tuesday. Speaking at the Broadband India Forum Summit on SatCom, Vaghela said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( He also said that TRAI has received a reference from the Department of Telecommunication for the spectrum required to be put to auction and associated aspects of satellite-based communication. "I think India will be the first to handle the issue of auctioning the space base spectrum. We are working on it," Vaghela said. Highlighting the challenges, he said, "But it should not kill the sector. That is very important. Any system that we will be bringing is to actually encourage and promote investment in the sector, and not increase any burden. I mean, that is the biggest challenge which we have, and we are conscious of that fact."

India will be the first country to auction spectrum for satellite communication, and it should be designed to attract investments in the sector, telecom regulator Trai chairman PD Vaghela said on Tuesday. Representative Image(Image by Republica from Pixabay ) Speaking at a Broadband India Forum summit on SatCom, Vaghela said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will soon make recommendations to make permissions required for satellite communication from various ministries - Information and Broadcasting, Space and Telecom - seamless to enhance ease of doing business in the sector. He also said Trai has received a reference from the Department of Telecommunication for the spectrum required to be put to auction and associated aspects of satellite-based communication. ALSO READ: British mobile maker to launch satellite phone services next year: Report "I think India will be the first to handle the issue of auctioning the space base spectrum. We are working on it," Vaghela said. Trai will be coming out with some sort of model for the auction of space spectrum, he added. "But it should not kill the sector. That is very important. Any system that we will be bringing is to actually encourage and promote investment in the sector, and not increase any burden. I mean, that is the biggest challenge which we have, and we are conscious of that fact," Vaghela said. Trai is yet to come up with a consultation paper on the spectrum auction as per the standard process meant for Wh...

Express News Service NEW DELHI: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will stop losing its subscriber base by October or November 2023, said telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday. The minister while announcing the third relief package of `89,047, also mentioned that the company will be in a position to give stiff competition to the private telecom operators in the next year. “Once the rollout of 4G and 5G takes place, the company will stop losing its subscribers,” he said. The telco is not in good health and continuously losing its subscribers to private telecom operators. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), BSNL had a market share of only 9.27% in March 2023 with 103.68 million subscribers in the mobile segment. While its competitors Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea held a 90.73% market share. In March 2023, the company lost more than 50,000 subscribers. In the wireline segment too the company is languishing in third place with 25% market share at the end of March 2023. Experts believe not having a 4G network is costing BSNL. However, the minister said the telco had started rolling out a 4G network with 200 sites, and after a three-month trial, it will launch an average of 200 sites per day. “BSNL is providing more than 1 lakh new connections every month. And the total home fiber subscriber base of BSNL in May 2023 is 30.88 Lakh,” said the minister.BSNL had taken over mobile service operations of its debt-ridden sister concer...

TRAI chairman PD Vaghela. File photo. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman P D Vaghela on Wednesday pitched for a level-playing field on content delivery across all modes including OTT, DTH and cable. He said at present, there is a lack of the same, pointing out that while a direct-to-home operator like Tata Sky pays an 8 per cent licence fee after availing a licence to operate, there is no such requirement for the local cable operator. Over the top (OTT) platforms like Netflix do not require any licence to set up shop, nor do they pay any fees, Vaghela said, speaking at the annual Ficci Frames event here. Replying a specific question on whether regulatory levies depend on technologies deployed or the end service delivered, Vaghela said, “the way the technology is changing, the way new players are coming, one simple way would be to provide the level-playing field in form of a simple regime on licensing, licence fee or cross sector holdings.” Trais mandate calls for regulating only those businesses which are licensed by the government, Vaghela said, making it clear that the statutes do not allow for the same right now. He, however, said that the watchdog has done a lot of research on the aspect which has revealed certain “startling facts”. “We have done a lot of research… we will see whether we should enter into this area (of regulating OTTs), and you will see the issue of a consultation paper and make recommendations to the government,” Vaghela added. Vagh...

Express News Service NEW DELHI: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will stop losing its subscriber base by October or November 2023, said telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday. The minister while announcing the third relief package of `89,047, also mentioned that the company will be in a position to give stiff competition to the private telecom operators in the next year. “Once the rollout of 4G and 5G takes place, the company will stop losing its subscribers,” he said. The telco is not in good health and continuously losing its subscribers to private telecom operators. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), BSNL had a market share of only 9.27% in March 2023 with 103.68 million subscribers in the mobile segment. While its competitors Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea held a 90.73% market share. In March 2023, the company lost more than 50,000 subscribers. In the wireline segment too the company is languishing in third place with 25% market share at the end of March 2023. Experts believe not having a 4G network is costing BSNL. However, the minister said the telco had started rolling out a 4G network with 200 sites, and after a three-month trial, it will launch an average of 200 sites per day. “BSNL is providing more than 1 lakh new connections every month. And the total home fiber subscriber base of BSNL in May 2023 is 30.88 Lakh,” said the minister.BSNL had taken over mobile service operations of its debt-ridden sister concer...

The telecom operators like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, and DTH players like Tata Play and Dish TV have long been vocal about the 'unfair regulatory framework' when it comes to regulating over-the-top (OTT) platforms. In a rather progressive stance, PD Vaghela, Chairman at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), said that there should be a level-playing field for new and old players alike at the FICCI Frames in Mumbai. "There should be a level playing field. But should we go for regulations for the new players? I would scoff at that idea. Rather can the present players not be as regulated and be overburdened with regulators," Vaghela said. He added that the new broadcasting draft has been issued for public consultation. "It will talk about licencing. We've not received anything about OTT v/s other players licencing fee. New players will come. it's better if we relax regulation of present players rather than making it strict for them," he adds. He said that as soon as OTT regulations are talked about, the telecom industry says their views aren't being represented and simultaneously the broadcasting industry feels under-represented. "My idea is that if you want industry to grow, less regulation is the best regulation. If the government gives me a roadmap, TRAI would walk the talk. We're not afraid of this forbearance," he said. Talking of the New Tariff Order (NTO) 2.0, he added that as far as the broadcasting sector is concerned, a lot of reforms have happened....

New Delhi: India will be the first country to auction spectrum for satellite communication and it should be designed to attract investments in the sector, said PD Vaghela, TRAI Chairman on Tuesday. Speaking at the Broadband India Forum Summit on SatCom, Vaghela said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( He also said that TRAI has received a reference from the Department of Telecommunication for the spectrum required to be put to auction and associated aspects of satellite-based communication. "I think India will be the first to handle the issue of auctioning the space base spectrum. We are working on it," Vaghela said. Highlighting the challenges, he said, "But it should not kill the sector. That is very important. Any system that we will be bringing is to actually encourage and promote investment in the sector, and not increase any burden. I mean, that is the biggest challenge which we have, and we are conscious of that fact."