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TRAI extends DTH licence period to 20 years
MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations for a new DTH licensing regime today. As part of this, the period of DTH licence has been extended from the current 10 years to 20 years, renewable by 10 years at a time.
The Regulator has said that the existing licence fee will be reduced from 10 per cent of gross revenue to 8 per cent of adjusted gross revenue, in line with the telecom licences.
Also, the existing DTH licensees will be permitted to migrate to new regime at any time during the currency of the existing licences. Meanwhile, the one time entry fee has been retained at Rs 10 crore.
The salient features of the recommended new DTH licensing regime are as follows:
• The period of DTH license to be increased from 10 years to 20 years, renewable by 10 years at a time.
• One time entry fee to be retained at Rs 10 crore.
• Existing license fee to be reduced from 10 per cent of gross revenue (GR) to 8 per cent of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) in line with the telecom licenses.
• The existing DTH licensees to be permitted to migrate to new regime at any time during the currency of their existing licenses.
• BIS to come out with updated specifications for STBs in consultation with TRAI which should be complied by DTH licensees.
• The DTH licensees to be mandated to comply with the tariff order scheme prescribed by TRAI for commercial inter-operability.
The salient features of the Recommendation on Cross Holding/Control in the Broadcasting and Distribution Sectors are as follows:
• Policy on Cross-holding/Control to be restructured to bring in uniformity in the broadcasting and distribution sectors.
• Comprehensive definition of ‘control’ to be uniformly adopted in all segments of broadcasting and distribution sectors.
• Relevant market for DTH to be the entire country and for MSO /HITS – State.
• Broadcasters and Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) – MSO /HITS and DTH operators to be separate legal entities.
Rationalised and regulated vertical integration to be permitted between broadcasters and DPOs.
• Vertically integrated broadcaster(s) and DPO to be subjected to additional set of regulations.
•A vertically integrated broadcaster to be permitted to control only one DPO.
• A vertically integrated DPO to be restricted from controlling any other DPO of other category in the relevant market.
• A vertically integrated DPO not to be permitted to acquire more than 33 per cent of the market share in the relevant market.
The additional regulations for a vertically integrated broadcaster to include:
• The agreements with the DPOs to be non-discriminatory and on charge-per-subscriber (CPS) basis.
• To file the Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) for approval by the Authority. All Interconnection Agreements to be only on the terms specified in the RIO.
• To make disclosures as prescribed by the Authority.
The additional regulations for a vertically integrated DPO would include:
• DPO to declare its channel carrying capacity and not to reserve more than 15 per cent of this capacity for its vertically integrated broadcaster(s). Rest of the capacity to be offered to other broadcasters on non¬ discriminatory basis.
• DPO to publish the access fees for carriage of channels over its network. The charging of the access fees should be on non discriminatory basis.
• To make disclosures as prescribed by the Authority.
• The Authority to come out with appropriate Regulations/Orders for the regulatory framework and disclosures after the government takes the policy decision on the recommendations.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
