The radio industry seems content that the recommendation from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is out and now, all they have to wait for is the implementation. But there is concern over the minimum channel spacing issue. As per the recommendation the spacing of 400 KHz for FM Radio broadcast, which was initially issued on 19 April 2012, will come into effect as it would allow increasing the number of FM channels in each city for auction.
Speaking to Radioandmusic.com, sources said, “The Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) that comprised technician and engineers, in the past have considered the minimum spacing concept impractical. They strongly disagree with the implementation. But now, the radio industry will have to wait for the final implementation of the recommendation.”
In Phase III, an additional 839 channels across 294 cities will be made available for auction, so having migration rules in place before the same is very important for the radio fraternity.
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Red FM COO Nisha Narayanan said, “We welcome the recommendations issued by TRAI on the migration of FM Radio Broadcasters from Phase II to Phase III. The migration issue has been a contentious one and an issue that was causing many a sleepless night to many operators.”
Narayanan further stressed, “We are all looking forward to Phase III and the faster it gets implemented, the better it will be for the industry and the MIB should move forward on all matters . ”
“It is a happy occasion for the radio industry that TRAI has recommended a 15 year license period. Having a recommendation like this, based on the current situation is very important,” Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) secretary general Uday Chawla told Radioandmusic.com.
The recommendation by TRAI was published on their website on 20 February. In the past TRAI was approached by Information and Broadcast Ministry to give their view in FDI for radio.
