New Delhi
The government released a consultation paper on Monday to shape a policy for private digital radio broadcasters in India. This initiative, led by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), aims to bring together radio broadcasters, transmission equipment manufacturers, and digital radio receiver producers to collaborate on developing a robust digital radio broadcasting ecosystem.
TRAI is inviting feedback from stakeholders on various issues related to the creation of a digital radio broadcast policy for private broadcasters. Written comments are due by October 28, with counter-comments to be submitted by November 11.
In India, analogue terrestrial radio broadcasting currently operates on medium wave (MW), short wave (SW), and FM (VHF-II) spectrum bands. While All India Radio (AIR), the public broadcaster, provides services on all three bands, private broadcasters are limited to the FM frequency range (88-108 MHz).
Digital radio broadcasting offers several benefits over analogue, including the ability to broadcast three to four channels on a single frequency with superior audio quality. In contrast, analogue broadcasting can only transmit one channel per frequency.
This shift to digital radio could unlock new opportunities for broadcasters and provide additional services to listeners. AIR has already begun digitising its MW and SW networks, replacing 38 analogue transmitters with digital ones. It has also tested digital technologies in the FM band.
However, the private FM broadcasters have yet to take significant steps toward digitisation in the FM band, leaving room for further developments in the private sector.
