(2 December 2005 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has said that it would be specifying the procedure to be adopted by the broadcasters for the filings due after amended regulations are notified.

Trai had notified separate regulation on 31 December 2004 for the purpose of registration of interconnect agreements entered into by broadcasters with the service providers. A proposal for amendment to the above regulation was received for providing freedom to the broadcasters to file details of part B in Electronic Format only at the time of quarterly updation as filing of hard copies becomes voluminous in view of the large number of agreements for which details are required to be furnished.

The proposal was examined by Trai in consultation with the major broadcasters/distributors of TV Channels and it was noted from the experience during implementation of the regulation that the filing in print form becomes very voluminous. Various options of filing in electronic form ranging from filing in CD-ROM bearing the signature of the authorised representative of the service provider to e-filing with digital signature, it was noted, during the analysis have distinct merits and demerits and could become a viable option over a period of time.

While examining the proposal it was also viewed from a broader angle that the regulations would need to be made flexible enough to facilitate adopting a particular procedure not only with reference to a particular mode or form of filing but also with reference to a number of other procedural aspects, through a simplified process, instead of resorting to the need to amend the regulations time and again.

Accordingly Trai has decided to amend the existing clause 6 and make consequential amendments in clause 5 of the above regulation so as to enable the Authority to specify a particular procedure in regard to the manner of filing of data or information; to the form or formats of filing; to the number of copies to be filed; and, to such other procedural aspects connected and incidental to the filing of details of interconnect agreements through a simplified process instead of the need to amend the regulations every time whenever a change in procedure is necessitated, the release adds.