A session by TRAI on addressing the convergence of broadcasting and content rules has divided content suppliers, broadcasters, and telecom operators.
A session paper by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on bringing a few “convergence” of broadcasting and content rules has divided content suppliers, broadcasters and telecom operators.
While telecom operators and broadcasters are arguing that content suppliers and messaging apps are undercutting their companies by on-line distribution, the digital trade is defending current regulatory frameworks, demanding a distinction in method in the direction of content and its supply.
“Due to the convergence of technologies, many new-age services including social media, OTT [over-the-top] communication and broadcasting services, online video streaming, etc. are operating at the intersection of these compartmentalised functions of the [government] departments and may remain out of the necessary oversight and policy frame of the government despite being functionally similar to licensed services,” Reliance Jio stated in its submission.
‘No actual convergence’
Online content suppliers usually are not satisfied, nevertheless, that there’s a must deliver the executive regulation of those features collectively.
“Mere convergence of devices, services or networks does not warrant drawing of the conclusion that there is ‘convergence’ of telecom and broadcasting services,” the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), which represents Indian broadcast and print information organisations with a digital presence, stated in its submission. ( The Hindu is a DNPA member.)
The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), which represents Amazon, Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar, insisted that there was no precise convergence going on, and that content and carriage wanted to be regulated individually.
“Whilst cooperation of regulators already occurs, e.g. with TRAI and MIB [the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting] coordinating on issues such as Net neutrality, consumer protection and anti-competitive practices, we would advocate for greater cooperation across regulators, along with harmonisation of legislation, rather than additional regulations or a converged regulator,” the affiliation stated in its submitting.
There is a extra basic rigidity within the carriage-versus-broadcasting debate — telecom operators and broadcasters complained that they confronted intensive regulatory burdens and levies, usually to their detriment and to the advantage of on-line players. Tata Play, which runs a satellite tv for pc TV enterprise and in addition bundles streaming platforms, underlined this rigidity: “… we have been making laws not for the basic components [of content delivery] but combinations of components, as and when they have emerged,” the corporate stated. “As a consequence, the combinations that escaped regulations have thrived while the ones that got regulated, are languishing.”
