TRAI begins consultations on migration of FM broadcasters

Broadcasting regulator TRAI has begun consultation process to finalise its recommendations on what should be the fee for allowing migration of existing FM radio broadcasters from Phase II to Phase III and other terms and conditions.
The first phase of FM radio broadcasting was launched by the I&B ministry in 1999 and the policy for Phase-II was announced in 2005. At present, 221 channels of the second phase are operational.
After the government decided to expand the operation of private FM channels to all cities with a population of more than 1 lakh under Phase-III of FM radio broadcasting, an additional 839 channels across 294 cities have been made available for auction.

Existing FM radio operators, operational under Phase-II regime, are permitted to migrate to Phase-III regime after signing of migration Grant of Permission Agreement.
An Empowered Group on Ministers (EGoM) had taken the decision that migration fee be charged from the existing operators on their migration to Phase-III. Following the EGoM decision, the I&B ministry had sought TRAI's recommendations on a number of issues.
In a statement released here, TRAI said that it has floated a consultation paper, in which it seeks views from stakeholders on three crucial issues.
TRAI has sought comments on what should be the date of migration from Phase II to Phase III and what should be the duration of the permission after migration to the third phase. In addition, TRAI has also sought views on what should be the amount of migration fee.

After the process is complete TRAI will forward its recommendations to the I&B ministry which is planning to conduct the FM Phase III auctions.