| NEW
DELHI: The government is in the process of finalising the FM Radio Phase III policy
soon, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni. "This
was being done to further liberalise the regulatory framework to provide for greater
diversity of content and bring down operational costs. It will also incentivise
the introduction of FM radio services in the North Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir
and island territories," Soni said. The
Government is also working to ensure that at least 4000 Community Radio Stations
in the next three years, Soni said, reiterating that community radio reaches people
at the macro level to understand and resolve their problems.
Inaugurating
the annual BES Expo 2010 organized by the Broadcast Engineers Society (India),
she said broadcast engineers must play a crucial role in guiding the best possible
options in the carriage of the content to the public, acknowledging that technology
is clearly a growth driver for many an innovation in the sector. She also urged
broadcasters to ensure that fruits of new technology actually reach the consumer.
The
theme of 16th International Conference and Exhibition on Terrestrial and Satellite
Broadcasting is ‘Broadcasters and new Media Technologies’ and it will
conclude on 31 January. Referring
to the role of the Government, she said the endeavour of her Ministry is to ensure
that policy framework and business models are in sync to cater to the consumer
interest. “We are guided by the thought that technology neutral approach
to policies is the appropriate way. Convergence in technology has to fast become
a reality.” The
Minister also announced that serious thought was being given to devise suitable
policies for mobile television. She emphasized that the Government was committed
to technological improvement/digitalization of the DD network to improve the viewing
experience. As
the official Broadcaster for telecast of the Commonwealth Games 2010, it would
ensure High Definition Television is in place. She added that digitalization of
the broadcasting services of Doordarshan/All India Radio and Cable Services is
one of the key thrust areas identified by the Ministry because of the “advantages
digital mode offers in terms of efficient utilization of available spectrum, better
quality of picture and services, various interactive and niche services and transparency
above all.” She
noted that the trend worldwide has been to fix sunset dates for complete switch
off of analogue services. “While India as yet has not declared any sunset
date for complete migration, it is now being increasingly felt that by 2017 we
should also aim for complete switchover”, the Minister stated. Distributing
the annual BES Awards for Best Technological innovations, Soni called upon the
broadcasting industry to contribute not just in statistical figures for the economy
but also contribute to a healthy socio-cultural growth of the society as a whole.
Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer B S Lalli said there had been immense
growth in both radio and television in the country, with over 500 TV channels
and around 250 FM radio channels at present.
The international Expo and
Conference proposes to discuss topical issues such as ‘innovative technologies
for coverage of Commonwealth Games, HDTV and beyond; New technologies for Digital
TV and Radio; and Frequency Spectrum related issues under the theme of ‘Broadcast
regulatory Issues’. | 
