TRAI submits recommendations on migration of FM broadcasters

Broadcasting regulator TRAI has recommended that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry fix a cut-off date for existing FM radio operators for migration from phase-II after the completion of auction process for phase-III.
The regulator, however, said that such a cut-off date for migration should not be later than March 31, 2015.
In recommendations submitted to the I&B ministry on 'Migration of FM Radio Broadcasters from Phase II to Phase III, TRAI suggested that the period of permission for existing operators, who migrate from Phase-II to Phase-III, should be 15 years from the date of migration.
TRAI also suggested a formula according to which migration fee for broadcasters can be calculated. It said that its earlier recommendation regarding channel spacing should be accepted.

The I&B ministry plans to auction 839 channels across 294 cities according to the Phase III expansion of FM radio.