I&B Ministry
MIB urgently seeks pending 78 channels’ equipment details
MUMBAI: The government of India expects all TV channels to submit technical details of their respective equipment for the purpose of monitoring. In all, 78 channels have failed to do so.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a Notice dated 9 December 2016 to 194 TV channels to provide a set of Professional IRD for each TV channel permitted to them which can give SD-SDI output (in case of HD channels, HD-SDI output) along with one spare IRD per bouquet, to EMMC.
Alternatively, the pay TV broadcaster/ service provider should provide Viewing card (VC) with matching CAM module for interfacing with de-modulators to decrypt and demodulate the channel over IP. TV channels are also required to provide the technical parameters as Satellite, Frequency, location of teleport etc.
Accordingly, the details/ equipment from 78 TV channels have not been received so far. The Broadcasting companies of these TV channels are required to send the details/ required equipment urgently.
The equipment details may be sent to Director, Electronic Media Monitoring Centre, BECIL, Soochna Bhawan, New Delhi.
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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.
