News Broadcasting
TRAI sticks to its recommendations on reserve price
NEW DELHI: Even as Communications Minister Kapil Sibal said the reserve price for the spectrum auction would go down in December auction, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has said the Reserve Prices for 1800 MHz and 900 MHz will remain unchanged and at the level already recommended by the Authority.
Since the recommendations on the reserve price obtained for different LSAs follow, in logical sequence, from the valuation through adoption of different economic methodologies, the authority did not find any scope to “reconsider” the reserve price, as suggested by the Department of Telecommunications.
TRAI had sent its recommendations on “Valuation and Reserve Price of Spectrum” on 9 September to the Department of Telecommunications which had on 11 October sought clarifications/ reconsideration on some of the recommendations.
After considering the comments given by the DoT, the Authority has furnished its response to the Government. The authority has reiterated its earlier recommendations with detailed reasoning. Thus TRAI has reiterated its recommendation regarding no reservation/priority in the 900/1800 MHz band in order to have an open, transparent, objective, responsive, unrestricted and successful auction of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum and to ensure a level playing field amongst bidders.
Other recommendations reiterated by TRAI are:
In order to correct the present urban-centric bias in the roll-out obligations as also to harmonise the roll-out obligations with the objectives of NTP 2012, the authority has reiterated its recommendations on roll-out obligations to enhance rural coverage.
The DoT has conveyed its in-principle acceptance on spectrum trading. Accordingly, the authority will shortly work-out the detailed guidelines on spectrum trading.
On auction of 800 MHz spectrum, the Authority has again recommended that the Government must first explore the feasibility of adoption of the E-GSM band before reaching any hasty conclusion.
On Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC), the Authority has reiterated its recommendations for a graduated transition from the existing regime with its many limitations, to a more balanced, equitable and rational system.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
