TRAI releases new draft to reshape the broadcast and cable distribution industry
To revitalize the broadcast and cable distribution industry, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the Telecom (Broadcast and Wired) Service Interconnection (Addressable System) (Seventh Amendment) Regulations on Tuesday, and in 2025, agencies in the Telecom industry invited public comments on October 6 (2025), which invited public comments on October 6, 2025.„The plan will take effect on April 1, 2026.
It introduces far-reaching changes in audit, compliance and infrastructure sharing specifications that govern the relationship between broadcasters and TV channel distributors.
The authorities have published an advisory document on the “Telecommunication (Broadcast and Wired) Service Interconnection (Addable System) Regulations on the Telecommunication (Broadcast and Wired) Service Digital Addressable System Audit Manual of Telecommunication (Broadcast and Wired) Services of 9 August 2024 for seeking stakeholder comments.
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“Based on the consulting process, a draft amendment to the Telecom (Broadcasting and Wired) Service Interconnection (Addressable System) Regulations of 2017 has been released. The purpose of this draft regulation is to seek comments from all stakeholders on the proposed amendment,” according to the Department of Communications. ”
One of the proposed changes is the transition of mandatory audits from calendar year cycles to fiscal year.
Distributors will be asked to share an audit report, which is certified by TRAIEMPANELLED Auditor or Broadcasting Engineering Consultant Limited (BECIL) with all broadcasters.
According to official documents, in order to increase transparency, distributors must notify the broadcaster at least before the audit schedule and the name of the designated auditor. The draft also strengthens broadcaster oversight to ensure accurate subscriber reports.
Distributors who fail to complete the audit by the September 30 deadline will continue to face fines. Although, the TRAI draft proposes a timetable to clarify the timetable to prevent controversy.
