TRAI MOOTS IPTV & MOBILE REGULATIONS

INTRODUCTION 

Convergence technologies are gaining momentum f to reach more and more people in the world. All these are gaining a global scale. Now the services impact not :gion but the whole country or even many countries. re are too many technologies proliferating in different Revision delivery is one such service which a few years restricted to terrestrial broadcasting and now has given Cable TV, DTH, IPTV and now Mobile TV. With the ig popularity of Television and lowering of cost of gy, it has become essential to frame regulations to he exploitation of the consumers by these technology s. After dealing with Cable TV and DTH, TRAI, the r has now fixed its gaze at IPTV and Mobile TV and msultation papers for a public debate. 

Politicisation of the Broadcasting Bill

The very basis of our democracy's existence is Politics. But this mJL that was initially a method to have a favourable Government for the citizens, since long has been exploited in real sense. And today the situation has become so worse that 'Polities' is used in terms of Tactics' and not anything else. Tactics here mean the schemes that are played to let down others and ultimately upgrade own-self. The influence of Politics has been very far reaching and today we find it in every field of our life. Be it workplaces, colleges, societies etc.

It is the 'Broadcasting Bill1 that has always been a major target of the Politics of our country. But, Mind it... This attack has 'never been positive' or say 'always been negative'. Quote it this way or that way, the meaning remains the same but the impact worsens day by day. 

The BATTLE for C-band

Satellite professionals/operators have faced spectrum battles in the past, but with luge and hungry telecommunications firms lobbying to gain more access to C-band for then- next generation wireless services, satellite players may face their toughest spectrum fight yet. With a key International telecommunications Union (ITU) meeting set to begin later this year, satellite operators and their customers are in a race against time to put together compelling arguments to make sure C-band spectrum remains reserved for satellite services and is not lost to a powerful and well-financed competitor.

Season of Regulations

Regulation of content has been much in the news in the last month. Jovernment's intention of presenting the Broadcasting Services Bill in the Monsoon Session of the Parliament was scuttled down by the Media big-wigs, particularly the news broadcasters in the name of freedom of press. That besides, we cannot under estimate the impact of a bad news or a manipulated news on the gullible masses. They believe what they see.

Television media has much greater impact than the print media as the TV viewers encompass all rich and poor, literates and illiterates, children as well as the elderly. Particularly the lower middle classes and the poorer section of the society that still live with a community feeling are impacted in a big way. We have seen all this happening many times over the last few months. The 'Gurjjar1 agitation, Uma Khurana Case, Patna case of dragging a thief tied behind a police motorcycle are just a few examples. Every day we hear and read about public lynching. All these are caused by incitement created by the electronic media that tries to sensationalise a small event. People try to overdo things in front of the cameras. 

October 2007

Monady, October 1, 2007 -- Prasar Bharti dropped five channels from its DTH service, 'DD Direct Plus', for not paying the carriage fees. Aajtak, Headline today, TV9, Akashbangla and Star Utsav have been dropped after repeated notices.

Jai Hind Launched With Much Funfare

Jai Hind, a Malayalam TV Channel was launched by Congress president and UPA's Chairman Smt. Sonia Gandhi at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi on August 17, 2007, also present on the occasion were distinguished guests some of which included Union Information and Broadcasting minister, Mr. Priya Ranjan Das Munsi, noted film director Priyadarshan, Cine Artist Jagathy Sreekumar and playback singer Meera Jasmin. 

It is joint venture between Jai Hind Communication and Bharat Broadcasting Network with The Congress party having a major stake in it. As per the spokesman of the Congress the party won't interfere in its programming in any way. 

MIPCOM 2007-Preview 'India Day' at Palais des Festivals, Cannes

The Mecca of audiovisual and digital content market, MIPCOM 2007, will turn the spotlight on India at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France. The five-day event that will be held from October 8-12 this year and will be flagged off with 'India Day'. FICCI is partnering with MIPCOM to give international exposure to the Indian entertainment industry with the support of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 

MIPCOM 2007 will bring together audio-visual players from over 100 countries to help forge new business deals. The event aims to provide a unique opportunity to TV and film producers and distributors, broadcasters, digital media content providers and advertising brands, to trade in content across all platforms and share new practices that are redefining business models around the world. Business worth $10 billion per annum is expected to be generated for entertainment companies from MIPCOM.