I&B Ministry
I&B ministry backs 20 per cent FDI in FM radio
NEW DELHI: Aimed at liberalising the regime, information and broadcasting ministry has cleared 20 per cent FDI for the private FM radio sector, but stuck to the ban on news and current affairs programmes.
“We have formalised the policy package for the private FM radio and sent it to various ministries for taking their views, before taking it to the Cabinet,” information and broadcasting minister S Jaipal Reddy was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying on the sidelines of the of a conference by industry chamber ASSOCHAM.
The minister said the ministry has decided to limit the FDI level at the existing FII cap. “We hope to go to the Cabinet on the matter soon,” he added.
However, he said the government was not open to the idea of allowing news and current affairs on private FM radio. “There are certain reservations, PTI quoted him as saying.
Broadcast and cable regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had set the ball rolling for the second phase of privatisation of FM radio last year by saying that there should be migration to revenue share of four per cent annually and that up to 26 per cent foreign investment could be allowed, subject to government review of the existing policy that bars any foreign investment in this sector.
On the issue of allowing news and current affairs (N&CA) programming on private FM radio stations, the regulator had recommended that the existing restriction be reviewed by government and lifted after incorporating adequate safeguards.
I&B Ministry
Digital radio, D2M tech set to reshape broadcasting and public messaging
Govt pushes next-gen delivery while TRAI tightens grip on spam ecosystem
NEW DELHI: India’s broadcasting and telecom landscape is undergoing a quiet but significant upgrade, with digital radio and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technologies emerging as powerful tools for mass communication, while regulators step up efforts to tackle spam calls.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, digital radio and D2M are poised to transform how content reaches audiences by making more efficient use of spectrum. In simple terms, multiple channels can now be delivered over a single frequency, opening the door to a wider range of free-to-air content.
D2M technology takes this a step further by enabling video, audio and data to be broadcast directly to mobile handsets without relying on SIM cards or mobile data. The result is a resilient and cost-effective data pipe that can deliver everything from entertainment and education to critical emergency alerts, even in low-connectivity scenarios.
At the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is tightening its grip on unsolicited commercial communication, better known as spam calls. The regulator has deployed a distributed ledger technology platform to bring transparency and accountability into the system.
Through this blockchain-based setup, consumers can register their preferences on receiving promotional messages, while businesses and telemarketers must also sign up and operate within defined rules. The platform also includes a complaint mechanism that allows users to report spam, with complaints shared across telecom operators for coordinated action.
The government’s broader push is being supported by infrastructure upgrades under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme. Implemented through Prasar Bharati, the initiative focuses on modernising networks such as Akashvani and Doordarshan, including digitisation and adoption of next-generation broadcast equipment.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan said these steps are part of a larger effort to promote emerging technologies and strengthen the country’s broadcasting backbone. The response came to a query raised by member of Parliament Rao Rajendra Singh.
Together, these developments point to a dual-track strategy: expanding access to reliable, low-cost content while cleaning up the communication ecosystem. As digital pipes get smarter and spam filters sharper, India’s airwaves may soon feel a lot less noisy and far more useful.
