Trai for cable players' foray into Internet TV

Cable TV operators can register under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995, to provide Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services without requiring any licence, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has said.

In its recommendations, Trai has also said the IPTV operators are required to register as cable operators to provide services in the country.

The recommendations state the Act mandates that "no person shall operate a cable television network unless he is registered as a cable operator under this Act".

An emerging mode of entertainment, IPTV delivers digital TV content over various media, including a broadband connection.

Trai has permitted telecom service providers holding triple-play licences and internet service providers (ISPs) with net worth of over Rs 100 crore and with regulatory approvals to provide IPTV services.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will be the licenser for IPTV services in the country, while Trai will be the regulator.

However, telecom service providers offering IPTV services will pay a percentage of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as licence fee.

This would be 6 per cent for services in category 'C' circles, 8 per cent for 'B' circles, 10 per cent for 'A' circles and 6 per cent for ISPs. The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) and IT ministries will regulate the content.

The DoT may seek guidance of the respective ministries to ascertain the penalties to maintain uniformity.

However, telecom service provider providing IPTV will beam only the news channels that have been approved by the I&B ministry.