In less than three months, the Indian government will permit 26 private TV channels to uplink locally, if I&B minister Sushma Swaraj is to be believed.

Zee's bouquet of seven channels is likely to be among the favoured channels. Currently, only Sun TV and Jain TV are uplinking from India. ETC's plans of a teleport near Mumbai with Thaicom's help to enable local uplinking have been put on hold following reports that Thaicom is trying to enter India on its own.

Addressing a select group of PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the capital on Friday, Swaraj said the decision to permit the channels to uplink locally is 'in line with the recent policy decision of the government.' PHDCCI president Arun Kapur says the world of broadcasting and telecasting is undergoing major changes with rapid changes in technology. "The policy framework of the government in this regard should also include conducive tax and fiscal environment," Kapur has been quoted as saying in the Hindustan Times

The chamber of commerce has asked the government to encourage self-regulatory mechanism through self-regulatory organizations that would help in healthy growth of the sector.