iWorld
Need to revisit licensing framework for broadband, broadcasting & IT sector: Trai’s chairman P D Vaghela
Mumbai: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman P D Vaghela recently in a conclave said that there is a need to revisit the licensing framework and governance structure of broadband, broadcasting and IT sector,
Vaghela was addressing a conclave organised by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI).
He remarked that the boundaries between broadcasting and telecom industries have blurred due to the advent of digital media. The revised licensing framework should be light-touch, formulated and the government should intervene only if required.
The chairman highlighted that multiple authorities are involved for permission in the broadcast and telecommunications sector leading to the overlapping of functions. For example, internet protocol television (IPTV) permissions are granted by the department of telecommunications (DoT) as well as the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB). For policy decisions, there are multiple authorities such as DoT, MIB, the ministry of electronics and IT and the department of space.
Vaghela stated that there was a need for redefining the role of market players such as service providers, infrastructure providers and cable operators in the new market structure.
He said, “In addition to telecom and broadcasting, the over-the-top (OTT) world may also have to be factored in while carrying out required reforms. A robust and holistic technology-neutral regulatory and policy framework is required to regulate the newly converged environment of broadcasting and broadband services. The policy should also align the corresponding business processes with regard to the issuance of all broadcasting and cable service licences for better synergy and ease of doing business.”
With technological advancement, it is now possible for broadband networks to offer broadcasting services and vice versa. “With content consumption in India shifting to smartphones and video consumption becoming a key driver of mobile data growth, it becomes imperative to bring direct broadcasting capabilities to mobile phones. It is anticipated that broadcast capable smartphones and mobile phones will be able to stream multiple high-quality video and audio services optimally utilising valuable spectrum and easing the burden on our cellular networks,” he concluded.
iWorld
Govt pushes live events sector to Rs 196 billion by 2028
LEDC roadmap targets 15–20 million jobs and global hub status by 2030
MUMBAI: India’s live events story is getting louder and this time, it’s policy turning up the volume. The fourth meeting of the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC), chaired by Chanchal Kumar, was held on 30 April 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan, bringing together representatives from nine Central Ministries, six States and 12 industry stakeholders to chart the sector’s next phase of growth. The numbers already tell a compelling story. India’s organised live events industry was valued at Rs 145 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at 10 per cent to Rs 196 billion by 2028 making it one of the fastest-expanding segments within the media and entertainment ecosystem.
Set up in July 2025 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the LEDC is tasked with turning that momentum into a structured growth engine. Its long-term ambition is ambitious, position India as a global live events hub by 2030 while generating an additional 15–20 million jobs.
At the meeting, officials emphasised the sector’s multiplier effect spanning tourism, employment and allied industries while underlining the need for coordinated execution. A key update was the rollout of a single-window clearance system for live event permissions via the India Cine Hub portal, aimed at simplifying approvals and improving transparency.
States have been urged to adopt the system, alongside implementing the “Model Executive Order for Streamlining Licensing and Permissions for Live Events in India, 2026” by 31 May 2026. The framework seeks to standardise what has long been a fragmented and time-consuming regulatory process.
Beyond permissions, the discussion also turned to infrastructure and talent. A draft concept for greenfield venue development was tabled, alongside plans to build a skilled workforce. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication, in collaboration with industry bodies MESC and EEMA, is set to introduce certificate courses tailored to the live events sector.
Chanchal Kumar stressed that alignment across stakeholders is already in place, with the next challenge being execution at scale. The government, he noted, remains committed to creating a facilitative and transparent ecosystem for organisers.
For an industry once seen as fragmented and event-driven, the message is clear, India’s live events business is no longer just about the show, it’s about building an entire stage for growth.
