RTI Questions to MIB, Date: 18-09-2009 | Response, of MIB,
Date: 16-10-2009, No. 805/111/2009-CRS | Response
of MIB, Date: 20-10-2009
Common Reply to this RTI and the RTI forwarded by WPC, No.
18/62/2009-BP&L | Response of WPC, Date:
30-10-2009 |
1. On what basis
has the Government allowed private TV channels in satellite
broadcasting, but not in terrestrial broadcasting? 2. On what
basis
has the Government decided to permit private terrestrial radio
broadcasting and community terrestrial radio broadcasting, but not
private terrestrial TV and community terrestrial TV? 3. How is
the
government implementing TRAI recommendations on terrestrial TV,
see http://www.indiantelevision.com /headlines/y2k5/aug/
aug320.htm?
If the government is choosing not to implement these
recommendations, why? 4. In discussions
with the usage of 700 MHz frequency has the Government looked at
proposals and discussions in other countries for shared usage of
this spectrum? In case the government has decided to not opt for
shared use of this spectrum, please share with us the reasons for
this. 5. What is the process by which such changes in
use of spectrum are decided? How does civil society participate in
this process?
6. Has the government an estimate of the
revenue terrestrial TV would generate? 7. Has the government an estimate of the number
of people analog terrestrial TV could reach? Has the government an
alternate strategy for reaching these people, considering that
many of them are poor and cannot afford satellite TV? | In
so far as permission for Community terrestrial radio broadcasting
is concerned, Government of India approved a policy for grant of
licenses for setting up of Community Radio Stations in order to
allow greater participation by the civil society on issues
relating to development and social change. Attachment: A copy
of
Policy guidelines for setting up Community Radio Stations in
India.
| (1) & (2) No
policy decision in respect of allowing private terrestrial TV
broadcasting and community terrestrial TV broadcasting has been
taken by the Government so far. However, Government as allowed
satellite TV broadcasting, FM and Community Radio Service Policy
wit approval from the Union Cabinet. (3) The
Government has been examining the TRAI's recommendations of
terrestrial TV and no final decision has been taken so far on
these recommendations of TRAI. (4) & (5) The
information asked for falls within the purview of Department of
Telecommunications (WPC wing). Your
application has been forwarded to them for furnishing the
requisite information. (6) Question
does not arise in view of reply to point (3) above.
(7) No
such records is available with the undersigned. | Kindly refer to Ministry
of Information and Broadcasting letter no.
18/62/2009-BP&L
dated 20 October 2009 under which part reply has been sent to you
by them. As regards para (4) and (5), information is as under:
The usage of 700MHz
frequency has been in line with the usage of International
Frequency Allocation Plan and subsequently National Frequency
Allocation Plan.
The extract of the
footnote India Remarks IND 37 of NFAP-2008 Document, for the use
of 585-806 MHz in India is as under: "In
the context of frequency band 585-806 MHz, bearing in mind that
the band is predominantly for broadcasting services which include
mobile TV, requirements of IMT an Broadband Wireless Access (BWA)
subject to availability of spectrum in the frequency band 698-806
MHz may be considered for coordination on case by case basis as
appropriate." It
is also to inform that major wireless users participate in
finalization of the National Frequency Allocation Plan, which is a
public document. The National Frequency Allocation Plan-2008
presently in force is available on website www.wpc.dot.gov.in.
|