TRAI Issues Recommendations For Promotion Of Local Manufacturing In TV Broadcasting

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday issued its recommendations on “Promoting Local Manufacturing in the Television Broadcasting Sector”.

Digitalisation of the Indian broadcasting sector began in the year 2012 and was completed across the country by March 2017. It provided a unique opportunity for the growth of local manufacturers to cater to the demand.

The Authority with the objective of realistically assessing India’s true potential in equipment manufacturing and to arrive at the recommendations to the Government that would enable Indian Broadcasting equipment manufacturing sector to transition from an import-dependent sector to a global hub of indigenous manufacturing, has suo-motu   issued a  consultation paper on “Promoting Local Manufacturing in the Television Broadcasting Sector” on 22-12-2021, for seeking comment of all the stakeholders.

The last date of submission of comments was 19 January 2022 and counter comments, if any by 2 February 2022, which was extended on the request of stakeholder up to 9 February 2022 and 23 February 2022 respectively.  

The TRAI received 16 comments from stakeholders and 1 counter comments, which are available on TRAI website. In this regard, an Open House Discussion was also held on 28 April 2022 through video conference.

After considering all comments received from stakeholders during consultation process and further analysis of the issues, the Authority has finalised its recommendations which includes establishment of Centre of Excellence (CoE) for broadcast equipment or existing Telecom CoEs may be upgraded to focus on broadcast equipment as well.

TRAI also said that organisations such as Telecom Export Promotion Council (TEPC) need to be enabled to promote and facilitate exports of locally manufactured broadcast equipment. Further, the company recommended that Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), Department of Telecommunications should be mandated to test and standardise all the broadcast equipment.

The Authority also recommended that there was a need to strengthen existing R&D centres in public sector, such as C-DOT, and develop local R&D ecosystem along with industry participation through PPP route. Additionally, it said that creation of ‘Technology development Fund’ to promote R&D and development of local products/ technologies for Broadcasting Sector was important.

TRAI also recommended that Linear Set-up boxes should be brought under PLI scheme and periodical review of the availability of indigenous components required for broadcasting equipment including chipsets must be carried out, amongst other things.