Auction not feasible for grant of permission for uplinking and downlinking of TV channels: TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today suggested that auction would not be feasible for grant of permission for uplinking and downlinking of TV channels, but recommended an enhancement in the annual licence fee.

The body also recommended that there should be no change in the existing definitions of 'News and Current Affairs TV channels' and 'Non-News and Current Affairs TV channels' and it should continue as per the existing uplinking and downlinking guidelines, dated December 5, 2011.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had sought recommendations from TRAI on issues related to permission for uplinking and downlinking of satellite TV channels, setting up of teleports, etc.

After discussing related issues with stakeholders, the body today issued a series of recommendations.

The body recommended that there should be no change in the amount of minimum networth of an applicant company seeking permission for uplinking and downlinking of TV channels.

"Auction not feasible for grant of permissions for uplinking and downlinking of TV channels. Existing administrative system for grant of permissions for uplinking and downlinking of TV channels should be continued and should be streamlined," the body said.

It also recommended that there should be no change in the permission fee and entry fee for uplinking and downlinking permissions. However, the body said that the annual license fee for uplinking and downlinking permissions should be enhanced.

The TRAI said that a licence fee of Rs three lakh per annum could be charged for uplinking of TV Channel from Indian soil. For downlinking TV channels uplinked from Indian soil, a licence fee of Rs 7.5 lakh per annum could be charged while a fee of Rs 22.5 lakh could be charged for downlinking of TV channel from foreign soil, the body said in its recommendations.

The telecom and broadcasting sector watchdog also recommended that there should be no entry fee for granting permission for establishing teleport and for each antenna a fixed annual licence fee of Rs three lakh should be charged.

It also recommended that there should be no need to restrict the number of teleports in India and location of teleports should be left to the teleport operators subject to site clearance from the Department of Telecommunications.