TDSAT notice to Centre on Radio Mid-Day plea

Telecom tribunal TDSAT today sought response from the central government on a petition by a Mumbai-based FM player demanding uniform radio frequency for all operators across the country.

The tribunal headed by Justice Arun Kumar issued notices to the government and Reliance-owned Adlab films, broadcaster of FM channel Big 92.7 on Radio Mid Day West plea that the withdrawal of its well known frequency 92.5 will affect its revenue.

Instead of 92.5 frequency, on which Radio Go was aired by the Mid Day group, the government has alloted it the new frequency of 94.3 that it contended was not fair since it has become a brand identification in Mumbai.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Radio Mid Day sought a stay on the government's decision to allot 92.7 frequency to the Reliance-run FM channel.

He said while allotting unified frequency of 94.3 to Radio Mid Day to operate in six cities including Mumbai, the government withdrew the 92.5 frequency, which had become synonymous with Radio Go as Radio Mirchi has been recognised by 98.3 FM in Delhi.

The senior advocate submitted that the Government cannot withdraw frequency except in public interest and national security.

However, the government counsel Vineet Malhotra, opposed Mid Day's plea that technically it was not possible to allot every radio channel the same frequency across the nation.

He contended that change of frequency of a particular radio channel was done with a view to rationalise the frequency on the availability of the spectrum.