RADIO LICENCE FEE
Telecom infrastructure sharing may spur gear sharing too, experts say
The current scenario could change with Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recommending creating a separate category under the unified license for Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider (DCIP) authorisation. "...the proposed DCIP authorisation holder may create both active and passive digital connectivity infrastructure and share it with other TSPs and has to pay no license fee to the government," Trai said in its recommendations last month.
BBC TV Licence Set to Rise to £169.50: Here's How You Can Apply for a Free Licence
The BBC TV licence fee is set to increase by £10.50, bringing the total annual cost to £169.50, the UK Culture Secretary announced. The household payment, which funds a significant portion of the BBC's operations, had previously been frozen at £159 but was due for an increase in line with inflation next year.
TRAI moots entry fee cut for mobile, other tel service licences; suggests merger of bank guarantees
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended a cut in the entry fee for mobile and other telecom service licences, as well as the merging of bank guarantees. The move is aimed at facilitating the entry of new players and promoting ease of business for existing ones. TRAI believes that these measures will spur investment and growth, improve the quality of service, and enhance consumer welfare in the telecom sector. The reduction in entry fee is expected to attract new service providers and increase competition in the market.
TRAI recommends delinking NOTEF from FM radio licence fee
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended changes to the annual licence fee calculation for FM radio channels. Currently, the fee is based on a percentage of annual gross revenue or a spectrum charge, whichever is higher. TRAI suggested that the fee should be calculated at 4% of gross revenue, excluding GST. The authority also proposed allowing private radio channels to broadcast news for 10 minutes per hour.
TRAI favours news, current affairs programmes on private FM radio
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended that private FM radio operators be allowed to broadcast news and current affairs programs for 10 minutes every hour. The TRAI also suggested that the program code of conduct for news content be applied to private FM radio channels.
Telcos split over infra providers as a new category under unified licence
While Reliance Jio and Airtel said the current regime is working well wherein infrastructure creation is the responsibility of the licensee Vodafone Idea supported the idea floated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India over the introduction of digital connectivity infrastructure provider (DCIP) authorisation.
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Delicence 6 GHz band for WiFi, tech cos write to DoT
Stressing that the entire 6 GHz band should be delicensed for WiFi services, the tech industry has highlighted that enough spectrum in various bands has already been provided for 5G. For future 5G needs, the international telecommunication union (ITU) is deliberating on allocating spectrum in 7-24 GHz bands and in 4800 MHz band.
NPR quits Elon Musk's Twitter over 'government-funded' label
With this NPR becomes the first major news media organisation to do so on the social media platform since its $44 billion acquisition by billionaire Elon Musk last October.
AROI seeks FM radio licence fee at 4% of annual revenues
On top of that, the association pointed out that the burden of the licence fee has left very little funds for operations and salaries. Entertainment Network India (ENIL), the owner of FM radio station Mirchi, submitted that the government should announce a financial package for the radio industry.
Trai kicks off talks on FM radio issues
In May 2022, the ministry of information and broadcasting had requested Trai to provide its recommendations on 2 key issues. The first issue is removing the linkage to non-refundable one-time entry fee (NOTEF) in the formula for annual fees and the second issue is with regards to extending the existing FM licence period of 15 years by three years.
Govt’s reforms lifeline for Covid-hit FM radio industry
The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi last week and, accordingly, the government has approved the amendments to the FM Radio Phase III policy guidelines, said a statement issued by the Information & Broadcasting ministry.
Private FM players want government to follow Canada’s example
The waiver will help 100 radio and TV broadcasters save over 30 million Canadian dollars (₹166 crore) during FY21. Steven Guilbeault, the minister of Canadian Heritage, said in a statement that Canadian broadcasters are working hard to fulfil the mission of sharing “credible” and “verified” information with Canadians.
Radio industry seeks Rs 300 crore for survival
In April alone, the revenue of the entire industry had shrunk to Rs 34 crore, from Rs 198 crore in April 2019. Compared to a profit before tax of Rs 18 crore in April 2019, the industry as a whole suffered a loss (before tax) of Rs 104 crore.
Private FM radio companies write to PM Modi for urgent relief
AROI pointed out that currently there are 370 private FM stations across 107 cities, out of which most are dependent on government advertising. “Since Covid-19 outbreak, jobs of over 20,000 employees are under threat,” the letter said.
Covid-19 outbreak: Liquor firms to seek licence for sanitisers
The industry will also meet drug controllers to seek and fast-track issuance of required licences and nods. Ethyl alcohol, a key raw material used in a distillery, is also a key ingredient for hand sanitisers. This move comes as the centre has requested state governments to rope in distilleries to make hand sanitisers for the shutdown period till March 31 due to the pandemic.
After slowdown FM radio industry faces Covid-19; seeks government support
The Covid-19 pandemic is now destroying the industry. FM radio now desperately needs support from the government: short-term life support as well as long-term policy support. AROI, the FM broadcasters’ association has written to Prakash Javadekar, minister for information and broadcasting, seeking his urgent intervention.
DoT issues 5G trials norms, licence comes for Rs 5,000
Notification invites all India-registered entities to apply.
Telecom firms owe over Rs 92,000 crore as licence fees till date, Centre tells Supreme Court
In an affidavit filed in the top court, Department of Telecom (DoT) said that as per calculations, Airtel owes Rs 21,682.13 crore as licence fee to the government.
Govt for making FASTags, vehicle tracking systems mandatory for commercial vehicles
As per the proposal, the vehicles will have to carry a sticker on the front wind screen confirming presence of the FASTag.
Purchase genuine medicines online as new ePharmacy draft moots single registry
Now, e-pharmacies would only have to seek one licence from the Drug Controller General of India, the country's apex drug regulator and central licencing authority.
Telecom industry's cash deficit at Rs 1.2 lakh crore: Reliance Communications
With annual interest payments, loan re-payment obligation, spectrum-related outgo and capex expected to add up to a Rs 1,62,000 crore tab.
High reserve price, other flaws may derail FM auction, say companies
“A low selling price is better than the frequency remaining unallotted, because of a high reserve price,” said a radio executive.
Spectrum trading: No relief for telecom companies on licence fee
The Department of Telecom has not accepted a proposal of telecom operators for not charging licence fee and spectrum usage charge on the amount received from trading of airwaves.
Decks cleared for phase 3 of FM radio auctions
Industry officials wonder whether the government wants to control the dissemination of free and fair news to the public at large.
Radio Phase-III regime: Government allows more foreign funds, enhanced licence period
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry today said operators of radio channels in the FM Phase-III regime will be provided licence for a period of 15 years.
Prakash Javadekar promises timely FM radio auctions, extension of licences
Javadekar reiterated the new government's commitment to freedom of the press, but pointed out that it had been a hard fought freedom, and came with concomitant responsibility.
Lessons from 2G for FM radio auctions: Broadcasters call for policy correction
While the govt is taking steps for future 2G auctions, immediate test would be with forthcoming FM radio phase-3 licence auctions.
Trai recommends halving minimum channel spacing for FM radio
Trai stated that FM channels operating with channel spacing of 400 KHz should be radiated from effectively co-located sites and transmitted with equal power.
New Telecom Policy: M&A to be allowed under simple process, says Kapil Sibal
A new telecoms policy will be announced in April. The sector regulator has proposed a relaxation of rules for M&A in the telecoms sector.
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