Draft recommendations for mobile TV services issued


The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released draft recommendations on issues relating to mobile television services to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on January 3rd 2008.
There are now two routes proposed to provide mobile TV services, one using the telecom network with spectrum already allocated and the other using a Broadcast model.
Telecom operators already having a CMTS or UASL licence will not need a further licence for mobile TV services on spectrum already allocated to them unless it utilises TV broadcast technologies.
The new recommendations suggest the creation of a new class of mobile TV licence to use broadcast delivery methods and that the technology chosen for any deployment must be digital and have been standardised by the ITU.
Subscribers should be able to change from one licensee to another using the same handset and two separate licences will be needed to cover either terrestrial or satellite delivery.
Spectrum for Broadcast services will be in UHF Band V (585-806 MHz) for terrestrial delivery, S-Band for delivery via satellite and allocated by a bidding process.
The Authority has invited all stakeholders to give their comments on the draft recommendations by 10th January 2008.
The full text of the recommendations can be found by using the following link
http://www.trai.gov.in and selecting Date: January 3, 2008 Draft recommendations on Issues Relating to Mobile Television services
Item added: 7th January 2008