According to Dr P. D. Vaghela, chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), a level-playing field should be ensured across all modes of content delivery including over-the-top (OTT), direct-to-home (DTH) and cable.
During his address at an event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Vaghela informed that the new broadcasting draft has been issued for public consultation. He suggested that rather than regulating a new player in the industry, the burden of regulations on the existing players should be relaxed. He stated that less regulation is the best regulation to ensure industry growth.
He accepted that free dish is creating a problem for DTH operators and multiple-system operators (MSOs) because they have to pay. TRAI will address issues such as disincentives for non-compliance, charges for installation etc. but if market forces take over, it would be the best thing, added Vaghela. While DTH players must give 8 per cent of their annual revenues as licence fee, digital streaming operators do not have to pay any such fee. Thus, he reiterated that there should be a level playing field when it comes to licensing. TRAI can regulate only those players on which government gives licences. The regulator is open to recommendations from the industry on the issue.
