Annual Report 2020-21 - Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia(IS/ISO9001:2015CertifiedOrganisation)

AnnualReport2020-21

MahanagarDoorsancharBhawan,JawaharLalNehruMarg,

(OldMintoRoad),NewDelhi-110002

Telephone:+91-11-23664147

FaxNo.:+91-11-23211046

Website:http://www.trai.gov.in

iii

LETTEROFTRANSMITTAL

To the Central Government through Hon’ble Minister of Communications and

InformationTechnology

thIt ismy privilege to forward the 24 Annual Report for the year 2020-21 of the Telecom

RegulatoryAuthorityofIndiatobelaidbeforebothHousesofParliament.Includedinthis

report is the information required to be forwarded to the Central Government under the

provisions of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, as amended by TRAI

(Amendment)Act,2000.

TheReportcontainsanoverviewofthetelecomandbroadcastingsectorsandasummaryof

the key initiatives of TRAI on regulatorymatterswith specific reference to the functions

mandated to it under theAct. TheAuditedAnnual Statement of Accounts of TRAI is also

includedintheReport.

(DR.P.D.VAGHELA)

CHAIRPERSON

Dated:December,2021

v

TABLEOFCONTENTS

ParticularsSl.

No.

Page

No.

Part-I

Part-II

Part-III

Part-IV

OverviewoftheTelecomandBroadcastingSectors

PoliciesandProgrammes

A. ReviewofGeneralEnvironmentintheTelecomSector

B. ReviewofPoliciesandProgrammes

C. AnnexurestoPart–I

ReviewofworkingandoperationoftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthority

ofIndia

Functions of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in respect of

matters specified in Section11 of TelecomRegulatoryAuthority of

IndiaAct

OrganizationalMattersofTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaand

Financialperformance

A. OrganizationalmattersofTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia

B. AuditedAccountsofTRAIfortheyear2020-21

C. AuditedContributoryProvidentFundAccountsofTRAIfortheyear

2020-21

001-008

009-050

051-108

109-122

123-185

1

OVERVIEWOF

TELECOMAND

BROADCASTINGSECTORS

3

Theyear2020-21hasbeenaverychallengingyearfortheoveralleconomicactivityofthecountry

in general and telecommunication services sector in particular, due to the unprecedented

pandemic situation. However, during these challenging times, the telecommunication sector

continued toprovideseamlessconnectivity for thesmooth functioningofmanyactivitiesand

servicessuchas‘WorkfromHome/workfromanywhere/studyfromhome’,banking,education,

entertainmentetc..Thenetworkcapacitieswereenhancedovernight.Asaresult,thenationkept

itsmarchaheadwiththepeoplebeingabletocontributetotheworkfromhome.Withaudience

confined to home, the television broadcasting sector also observed a spike in viewership.

Broadcastersopenedtheirrepositoriesandidentifiedtheirmostpopularshowsofbygoneerato

meet the challenge posed by the content production coming to halt The ingenuity of those

responsiblefortheTelecomandtheBroadcastingsectormadesurethatmostcitizenswereinfront

oftheirscreens,eitherforWFHmeetingsortheTelevision.

TRAIcontinueditsendeavourtoenablethegrowthofthetwosectors.Astheadvertisingrevenue

dipped,theAuthority,carriedoutadeeperanalysisofthebroadcastingsector.Asanimmediate

measure, theAuthority reiterated its recommendations to theGovernment for ‘Infrastructure

Sharing’ and for ‘Grant of infrastructure status’ for the television broadcasting sector. The

Authoritygrantedadditionaltimetotheserviceproviderforsubmittingtime-boundreportsand

compliances.Theyears2020-21hasalsoseenfurtherconsolidationinthetelecomsector.TRAI

hasbeenfacilitatingfairandtransparenttariffswithlighttouchregulations.

The mission of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is to create and nurture

conditionsforthegrowthofthetelecommunicationandbroadcastingsectorsinthecountry,ina

manner and at a pace, whichwill enable India to play a leading role in the emerging global

information society.Thepandemichasbroughtgenerational change in the telecomnetworks.

Futurenetworkswillhaveincreasedfocusonseamlessandhigh-speedconnectivityforresidential

areas.Betterdataconnectivityno longerremainstherequirementof fewhigh-endresidential

areas.Datausageforeducation,learningsandforcreativefieldslikemusic,artetc.hasbeenonthe

rise. Smart phone usage is rising even among the rural areas. Data demand is increasing

exponentially.TRAIhasamandatetoenablethesectorbyprovidingtimelyrecommendations.The

Authority’s recommendations on Public wi-fi and the ‘PMWANI’ programwill ensure wider

availabilityofinternetconnectivityformasses.5Gwillenablethenetworksfurthertofulfilthe

increasingappetiteofdataforIndianconsumers.

Duringthefinancialyear,2020-21,anumberofinitiativesweretakenbytheAuthorityforthe

bettermentoftelecommunications,broadcastingandcablesectors.Thevariousmeasurestaken

by theAuthority during this periodhelped in promoting the growth anddevelopment of the

telecomandbroadcastingservices.Thesemeasureshaveresultedintheoverallbenefitstothe

consumersintermsofchoiceofservices,affordabletariffs,improvementofqualityofservices,etc.

Theemergenceofnewservices,healthyinvestmentsinthesectorsandtherapiddevelopmentof

technologyhavealsohelpedthesectorstogrow.Datausagebywirelesssubscribershasalsoseen

anunprecedentedincrease.TRAIonitsparthascontinuedtoinitiateconsultationonimportant

technological and policy measures. Telecom and Broadcasting sector are technology driven.

Increasing dependence on cloud-based platform, exponential growth in usage of fintech for

OVERVIEW

4

transactions, ever-rising Mobile Apps and facilities to enabling users are presenting newer

challengesondataprivacy,datalocalisationanddatasecurity.

TRAIhastakenupstudiesandconsultationintheseemergingtopicswiththepurposeofenabling

the adaption of such technologieswithout compromising on safeguards.During the yearThe

Authority made recommendations on “Traffic Management Practices (TMPs) and Multi-

StakeholderBodyforNetNeutrality”.TRAIhasproposedaMulti-StakeholdersBodytoensurefair

&transparentTrafficManagementPractices.Therecommendationsfosterthevisiontoencourage

lighttouchregulationswithinvolvementofstakeholdersinoversightanddecisionmaking.Similar

enablingapproachhasbeenadoptedintherecommendationson‘ReviewofTermsandConditions

forRegistrationofOtherServiceProviders(OSPs)’.TRAIrecommendationspavedtheway for

minimalistic oversight on other service providers. These recommendations enabled the

Governmentineasingoutconditionsandenabled‘WFH’basedworkingandagentathomebe

treatedasExtendedAgentPositionofthecallcentre. Adetailedstudywasundertakenonurban

infrastructure.Afterthedetailedstudy,theWhitePaperon‘SmartCitiesinIndia:Frameworkfor

ICT Infrastructure’ was published. Call drop has been one issue that causes unease amongst

telecomusers.TheAuthorityundertookadetailedstudyontheissues.TheTRAIteamidentified

theDelhiAirportasafocusareaastherewerereportsofpooruserexperience.TheAuthority

jointlyhostedaglobalconferencetodeliberateontherootcauseofthepoornetworkqualityin

civiccentres,airportsandotherplacesfrequentedbylargecrowds.TRAIissuedamonographon

‘QuestforagoodqualitynetworkinsideMulti-StoreyResidentialApartments'-Reimaginingways

to improve quality’ wherein the Authority has identified certain reasons that cause network

qualitytosuffer.TRAIexpectsthatrelevantauthoritieswilltakeappropriatestepsforrevisionof

nationalbuildingcode.Thecodeoncerevisedwouldincludespecificmeasuresthateverybuilding

musttakeforqualitytelecomcoverage.

The telecom sector has emerged as the key enabler of Digital India with various new

services/applications like digital payments, Aadhar, e-governance, e-commerce, e-health, e-

education,ande-trade.Telecomservicesarethebackboneforenablingtheseapplicationsandfor

variousimportantservicesectorsoftheeconomylikebanking,health,education,andmanyother

services,whichboosttheoveralleconomicgrowthofthecountry.Withtheincreasedavailabilityof

smartphones at much more affordable prices, the mobile phone has become more than a

communication device, and services are becoming increasingly linked through mobile, the

Internetandotherdigitalmodesofdelivery.Thegrowthof4Gservicesgaveanimpetustothe

adventofthedatarevolution,whichusedtheseservices.Withtheadventof5Gtechnologies,the

futureoftelecomlandscapelookspromising,andtheevolutionof5Gwouldbringvariousnew

applications/technologieslikeartificialintelligence,quantumcomputing,virtualreality,etc.,to

thefore.5Gwillgeneratedataatunprecedentedvelocityandatanimmensevolume.Thisfastdata

willfuelawiderangeofdata-drivenservicesanddigitalbusinessmodels.5Gwillunleashnew

business opportunities, and bring substantial benefits through increased productivity,

improvementinservicedelivery,optimumuseofscarceresources,aswellasthecreationofnew

jobs.

During the year, while discharging various recommendatory and regulatory functions, the

Authorityaddressed several issuesand challenges that arebeing facedby the telecomsector.

Recommendations were made to the Government on key issues on subjects like “Traffic

ManagementPractices(TMPs)andMulti-StakeholderBodyforNetNeutrality”,“CloudServices”,

5

“Regulatory Framework for Over-The-Top (OTT) Communication Services”, “Methodology of

applyingSpectrumUsageCharges(SUC)undertheweightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment,

incasesofSpectrumSharing”,“ProvisionofCellularBackhaulConnectivityviaSatelliteThrough

VSAT Under Commercial VSAT CUG Service Authorization”, “Ensuring Adequate Numbering

ResourcesforFixedLineandMobileServices”,“NetworkTestingBeforeCommercialLaunchof

ServicesforWirelineAccessServices”besidesreplyingtothereferencebacksreceivedfromDoT

ontheearlierRecommendationsofTRAI.AmendmentstothevarioustelecomRegulationswere

alsoissuedduringthisperiod.

FortheBroadcastingsector,severalkeyRecommendationsweresharedwiththeGovernmenton

diversetopics.Recommendationson‘InteroperabilityofSet-TopBox(STB)’aretopromotere-use

ofSTBincases,whereaconsumermigratesfromoneserviceprovidertoanother.TheAuthority’s

consultationon‘ReviewofTelevisionAudienceMeasurementandRatingSysteminIndia’waswell

timed.Therecentfindingsovermanipulationofratingsexemplifybroadconcernshighlightedby

TRAIinitsrecommendations.TheAuthorityhasexplicitlymentionedthatthecurrentsamplesize

is grossly inadequate and prone tomalfeasance. The recommendations on ‘Reserve Price for

AuctionofFMRadiochannels’arearesultofdetaileddeliberations.

ThesignificantdevelopmentsrelatingtoTelecommunicationandBroadcastingsectorduringthe

year2020–21arebrieflymentionedbelow:

I. TELECOMSECTOR

TheIndiantelecomsectoristhesecondlargestintheworldintermsofthenumberofsubscribers.

Thesectorhaswitnessedexponentialgrowthoverthelastfewyearsasaresultofmanyfactors

suchasaffordabletariffs,widerserviceavailability,rollingoutofnewfacilitiesandservicessuchas

3Gand4G,evolvingconsumptionpatternsofsubscribers,andconduciveregulatoryenvironment.

AttheendofMarch,2021,thesubscriberbasewas1201.20million,outofwhich1180.96million

werewirelesssubscribers.Duringtheyear,wirelesssubscriberbaserecordedanincreaseof23.21

million,withtheoveralltele-densityof88.17%attheendofMarch,2021.Duringtheyear2020-21,

89.33millionsubscriberssubmittedtheirportingrequestsforavailingMobileNumberPortability

(MNP)facility.Withthis,thecumulativeMNPrequestsincreasedfrom487.33millionattheendof

March, 2020 to 576.66million at the end ofMarch, 2021,which shows that subscribers are

exercisingtheirpreferencesofserviceproviders.TheInternetsubscriberbaseinthecountryasonst st

31 March,2021stoodat825.30millionascomparedto743.19millionason31 March,2020.Thest

totalbroadbandsubscriberbaseinthecountryhasincreasedfrom687.44attheendof31 March,

2020to778.09attheendofMarch,2021.

Toensuretransparencywhileproposinganychangeintheexistingregulatoryframework,TRAI

followsatransparentconsultationprocess,andgivesopportunitytothestakeholderstodeliberate

andoffertheirviewsontheproposedregulatoryframework.Aspartofthiscriticalexercise,which

ensures that robust regulation emerges from the consultative process, TRAI issued various

important consultation papers inviting written comments/counter-comments from the

stakeholders during the year. This included Consultation Papers on “Review of Regulatory

FrameworkforInterconnection”,“AllotmentofSpectrumtoIndianRailwaysforPublicSafetyand

SecurityServices”, “ReviewofScopeof InfrastructureProvidersCategory-I(IP-I)Registration”,

“DurationofAlertforCalledParty”,“ReviewofInterconnectionUsageCharges”,“Reformingthe

6

GuidelinesforTransfer/MergerofTelecomLicenses”,“DevelopingaUnifiedNumberingPlanfor

FixedLineandMobileServices”,“IssuesRelatedtoInterconnectionRegulation”,“CloudServices”,

“Transparency in Publication of Tariff Offers”, “Tariff Issues in Telecom Services”, “Traffic

ManagementPractices(TMPs)andMulti-StakeholderBodyforNet-Neutrality”,and“Provisionof

Cellular Backhaul Connectivity via Satellite Through VSAT Under Commercial VSAT Service

Authorization”,etc.

An important aspect of TRAI’s functions as mandated under the TRAI Act is to make

recommendationstotheGovernment,ondiversesubjectsincludingmarketstructure,entryof

newoperatorsinthesector,thelicensingframework,managementofscarceresourcessuchas

spectrum,consumersafety,andsecurity.Whileexercisingthismandate,severalsignificantpolicy

recommendations were made during the year which include recommendations on “Traffic

ManagementPractices(TMPs)andMulti-StakeholderBodyforNetNeutrality”,“CloudServices”,

“RegulatoryFrameworkforOver-The-Top(OTT)CommunicationServices”.

Inordertomanagetheever-increasingpopulationinthecities,itisimportantthatinfrastructure

inthecitiesisupgradedandmanagedbyusingInformationandCommunicationTechnologies

(ICT)tomakethemsustainableinthelongrun.AWhitePaperonSmartCitiesinIndia:FrameworkndforICTInfrastructureissuedon22 September,2020highlightstheRoleofdigitaltechnologiesfor

smartcities,discussesthekeysmartsolutions,deliberatestheneedofGlobalStandardizationand

connectivityrelatedaspectsspecifictosmartcities,andtriestoidentifytheframeworkforICT

InfrastructureforthesuccessofSmartCitiesMissioninIndia.

TRAI QoS Monograph - Quest for a good quality network inside Multi-Storey Residentialnd

Apartments''Reimaginingwaystoimprovequality''issuedon22 September,2020suggestsa

blendedapproachinimprovingthenetwork,i.e.,bothgeneralinterventionsandsolutionsthatare

specific to a user’s requirement. It also advocates the involvement of users in defining and

achievingtheoptimumoutcomesforthemselves.

II. BROADCASTINGSECTOR

The broadcasting sector consists of Television and Radio Services. The Television services

comprises of cable TV services, DTH services, HITS services, IPTV services in addition to a

terrestrialTVnetworkofDoordarshan.Asperan industryreport, in theyear2020, thereare1estimated 210.2 million TV households in India wherein the estimated share of Cable TV

households,payDTHhouseholds,FreeDTHhouseholdsandterrestrialTVhouseholdsis48%,1

32%,19%&1%respectively .

4 The TV broadcasting sector encompasses 350 broadcasters , out of which, 40 are pay

3broadcasters attheendofMarch,2021.Further,therewere1724(1722Regular&02Provisional)

5MultiSystemOperators(MSOs) registeredwithMinistryofInformationandBroadcasting(MIB),

3 3 3anestimated1,40,000cableoperators ,1HITSoperator ,4payDTHoperators andfewIPTV3operators ,attheendofMarch,2021,inadditiontothepublicservicebroadcaster-Doordarshan,

providingafree-to-airDTHserviceinIndia.

1https://barcindia.co.in/whitepaper/barc-india-tv-universe-estimates-2020.pdf2FICCIEYReport(March2021)titled“Playingbynewrules-India'sMedia&Entertainmentsectorrebootsin2020”3AsreportedtoTRAI4http://broadcastseva.gov.in/webpage-User-tvchannels5MIBwebsitehttps://digitalindiamib.com/

7

3 Atpresent,thereare901privatesatelliteTVchannels permittedbyMIBattheendofMarch,2021,3 3

outofwhich,235areSDpayTVchannels and92areHDPayTVchannels .

2 2 India’stelevisionindustrystandsat`68,500 croresintheyear2020ascomparedto`78,800

croreintheyear2019,therebyregisteringadeclineofaround13%.Subscriptionrevenuesaccount2

foramajorshareoftheoverallindustryrevenue.Subscriptionrevenueshasfallenfrom 46,8002

crores in theyear2019 to`43,400 crore in theyear2020.Onasimilarnote,advertisement2 2revenueduringtheyear2020was 25,100 croreascomparedto 32,000 croreintheyear2019.

3 As reportedby theprivateFMRadiobroadcasters, therewere366 privateFMradio stations

operationalat theendofMarch,2021,besidesthepublicservicebroadcaster-All IndiaRadio

(AIR). As regards Community Radio Stations, reported by the Ministry of Information and3

Broadcasting(MIB),outofthe403 licensesissuedattheendofMarch,2021forthesetupofsuch3stations,324 communityradiostationshavebecomeoperational.Thereportedadvertisement

3revenuesbytheprivateFMRadiobroadcastershavefallenfrom`1902.75crore inyear2019-203to 941.47crores intheyear2020-21.

III.REVIEWOFTHEIMPLEMENTATIONOFTHERECOMMENDATIONSMADEBYTRAI

Overthelastfewyears,TRAIhassentanumberofrecommendationstoDoTandMIBonimportant

issuesconcerninggrowthoftelecommunicationsservicesandBroadcastingandCableServicesin

thecountry;eitheronreferencefromtheDoT/MIBorsuomoto.Duringthisyear,TRAIhasworked

withbothDoTandMIBandasaresultoftheconcertedeffortsandreviewmeetingsheldatPMO

level,anumberoftheserecommendationshavebeenacceptedduringtheperiod.However,many

oftheimportantrecommendationsarestillpendingfordecision/implementationbyDoTandMIB

which if implementedwould have significant positive impact on the Telecommunication and

Broadcasting Sector. Thedetails of these recommendations have beenmade available in the

relevant chapters. It is felt that a periodic review of the implementation status of all

recommendationsofTRAIshouldbedoneatthehighestlevel.Withanobjectivetoputinplacea

mechanismwherebythereisaperiodicreviewofimplementationofpendingrecommendationsof

TRAI in DoT/MIB and to create central repository for real-time tracking of status of all

recommendations,TRAIhasdevelopedaRecommendationStatusPortalwhichcanbeaccessed

jointlybyTRAI,DoTandMIB.Thedetailsofthisportalhavealsobeenprovidedinthereport.

IV. OTHERADMINISTRATIVEINITIATIVES

BythepersistenteffortsoftheAuthority,theMedicalfacilitywhichisgovernedbytheScheduleII

ofTRAI(Salary,Allowanceandotherconditionsofserviceoftheofficersandemployees)Rules,

2002has been extended to entireTRAI Cadre officials (both serving and retired officers and

employees) as Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has notified "Telecom Regulatory

Authority of India (Salary, Allowances and other conditions of Service of the officers andndemployees) (Amendment)Rules,2020" in theGazetteof Indiaon22 December,2020which

enablesbothservingandretired,theofficersandemployeesoftheAuthority,entitledforexisting

medicalfacilities.


st Further,TRAIhasshiftedtoE-Officewitheffectfrom1 January,2021.WiththeadoptionofE-

Office,TRAIhasmovedtopaperlessoffice,whereinall fileworkishandledthroughelectronic

mode. This adoption of E-office shall ensure greater accountability and transparency in

administration, reduce costs incurred in storage and preservation of physical files, facilitate

officerstoclearfilesfrom“anywhereandanytime”therebybyimprovingefficiencyoffiledisposal.

Sinceitsinceptionin1997,TRAIhasbeenoperatingfromrentedpremises.Presently,TRAI'soffice

issituatedinabuildingownedbyMTNLonrentalbasis.TheAuthorityhasbeenapproachingthe

Government regularly for owning the office premises as TRAI is an eligible office for office

accommodation fromGovernment pool. As a result of persistent efforts of the Authority, the

GovernmentofIndia(GoI)throughDepartmentofTelecommunication(DoT)hasapprovedthe

proposal for procurement of built-upOffice Space for TRAI in upcomingWorld Trade Centre

(WTC),NaurojiNagar,NewDelhi.TRAIhasbeenallottedanareaof1,15,982Sq.Ft.intheproject

underconstructionandisexpectedtoshifttoitsownbuildingtowardstheendoftheyear2022.

8

PART-I

9

POLICIES

AND

PROGRAMMES

11

REVIEWOFGENERALENVIRONMENTINTHETELECOMSECTOR

(A)

Particulars Wireless Wireline Total(Wireless+Wireline

TotalSubscribers(million) 1180.96 20.24 1201.20

UrbanSubscribers(million) 645.20 18.57 663.77

RuralSubscribers(million) 535.75 1.67 537.42

OverallTele-density 86.68% 1.49% 88.17%

UrbanTele-density 137.08% 3.95% 141.03%

RuralTele-density 60.08% 0.19% 60.27%

ShareofUrbanSubscribers 54.63% 91.76% 55.26%

ShareofRuralSubscribers 45.37% 8.24% 44.74%

No.ofInternetSubscribers(Million) 799.30 25.99 825.30

No.ofBroadbandSubscribers(Million) 755.35 22.75 778.09

(inmillion)

1.1 Attheendofthefinancialyear2020-21theoveralltelecomsubscriberbasereached1201.20st

million in comparison to the subscriber base of 1177.97 million as on 31 March, 2020

registering an increase of 23.23million subscribers during the financial year 2020-21. The

overallsubscriberbaseandtele-densityisdepictedinTable-1.

Table-1:OverallSubscriberbaseandTele-density

Thedetailsofsubscriberbase inwireless&wirelinesegments;requests forMobileNumber

Portability (MNP); Tele-density; Internet subscribers and Quarterly Telecom Services

PerformanceIndicatorsareexplainedinsubsequentparagraphs.

(a) Wireless

st1.1.1Thewirelesssubscriberbasewas1180.96millionattheendof31 March,2021incomparisontostthesubscriberbaseof1157.75millionason31 March,2020registeringanincreaseof23.21

millionsubscribersduringthefinancialyear2020-21.Thestatusofwirelesssubscriberbase

duringthelast6yearsisdepictedintheFigure-1.

Figure-1:WirelessSubscriberBaseforthelastsixyearssinceMarch,2016

WirelessSubscribersBaseforthelastsixyearssinceMarch,2016

(inmillion)

1033.63

1170.18

1183.41

1161.81

1157.75

1180.96

Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 Mar-21

12

CumulativeMNPRequests(ServiceArea-wise)attheendofMarch,2021

ServiceArea MNPrequestsprocessedby TotalNumberof

Zone-I Zone-II PortingRequests

ZONE-I Delhi 27,719,452 919,841 28,639,293

Gujarat 38,154,733 430,412 38,585,145

Haryana 19,456,168 387,640 19,843,808

HimachalPradesh 2,697,619 37,181 2,734,800

Jammu&Kashmir 1,278,298 38,469 1,316,767

Maharashtra 45,979,429 1,165,231 47,144,660

Mumbai 25,004,170 484,200 25,488,370

Punjab 20,850,520 1,126,948 21,977,468

Rajasthan 42,086,205 338,507 42,424,712

UttarPradesh(East) 37,510,810 423,501 37,934,311

UttarPradesh(West) 29,922,601 349,447 30,272,048

ZONE-II AndhraPradesh 422,407 45,519,913 45,942,320

Assam 51,555 4,097,023 4,148,578

Bihar 1,071,057 25,302,014 26,373,071

Karnataka 592,149 47,462,393 48,054,542

Kerala 118,274 15,280,817 15,399,091

Kolkata 129,263 12,462,170 12,591,433

MadhyaPradesh 713,527 40,177,505 40,891,032

NorthEast 26,233 1,537,770 1,564,003

Orissa 147,095 11,158,894 11,305,989

TamilNadu 276,348 44,690,266 44,966,614

WestBengal 321,548 28,746,529 29,068,077

Total 294,529,461 282,136,671

Total(Zone-1+Zone-2)

Table-2:ServiceArea-wisecumulativePortingrequestsattheendofMarch,2021

576,666,132

(c) WirelineServices

st1.1.3Thetotalwirelinesubscriberbaseason31 March,2021stoodat20.24millionascomparedto

st20.22millionsubscriberson31 March,2020,registeringanincreaseof0.11%duringtheyear

(b) MobileNumberPortability

1.1.2Duringtheyear2020-21,89.33millionsubscribershavesubmittedtheirportingrequeststo

differentserviceprovidersforavailingMNPfacility.WiththistheMobileNumberPortability

requestsincreasedfrom487.32millionattheendofMarch,2020to576.66millionattheendof

March,2021.Theserviceareawisecumulativeportingrequestat theendofMarch,2021is

depictedinTable-2.

13

Figure-2:Wirelinesubscribersduringthelast5years

(d) Tele-density

st1.1.4Thetele-densityattheendof31 March,2021was88.17ascomparedto87.37attheendof

previousyearrecordinganincreaseof0.92%.Thetrendoftele-densitysinceMarch,2017is

depictedinFigure-3.

Figure-3:TrendofTele-density

2020-21.Outof20.24millionwirelinesubscribers,18.57millionareurbansubscribersand1.67

millionareruralsubscribers.Thewirelinesubscriberbaseforthelastfiveyearsisdepictedin

Figure-2:

Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 Mar-21

WirelineDELs(inM

illion)

25

20

15

10

5

0

24.40

22.81

21.70

20.22

20.24


100

90

80

92.98 92.84

90.1187.37

88.17

TrendofTele-density

14

[SubscribersinMillion]

Wireless

Segment Category InternetSubscribers %Growth

March,2020 March,2021

A. Wired Broadband 19.176 22.749 18.64%

Narrowband 3.241 3.246 0.17%

Total 22.416 25.995 15.97%

B. FixedWireless Broadband 0.602 0.671 11.46%

(Wi-Fi,Wi-Max,Radio Narrowband 0.006 0.006 -5.11%

&VSAT) Total 0.608 0.677 11.30%

MobileWireless Broadband 667.659 754.674 13.03%

(Phone+Dongle) Narrowband 52.507 43.955 -16.29%

Total 720.166 798.629 10.90%

TotalInternetSubscribers Broadband 687.438 778.095 13.19%

Narrowband 55.753 47.207 -15.33%

Total 743.191 825.301 11.05%

(SubscribersinMillion)

Table–3:InternetSubscribers

1.1.5.2Quarter-wiseInternet/Broadbandsubscriptionasreportedbytheserviceprovidersfor2020-

21isatTable-4.

(e) InternetandBroadbandsubscribers

st1.1.5TheInternetsubscriberbaseinthecountryason31 March,2021stoodat825.301millionasstcomparedto743.191millionason31 March,2020.Thetotalbroadbandsubscriberbaseofthe

st stcountryason31 March,2021is778.095millionwhereasitwas687.438millionon31 March,

2020.

st Thedetailsofsubscriptionasreportedbytheserviceprovidersinthecountryason31 March,

2021areindicatedinTable-3:

Table-4:Quarter-wiseInternet/BroadbandSubscriberbaseof2020-21

Service March2020 June2020 September2020 December2020 March2021

Broadband 687.438 698.231 726.317 747.408 778.095

Narrowband 55.753 50.840 50.138 47.772 47.207

TotalInternet 743.191 749.071 776.455 795.181 825.301

(f) TheIndianTelecomServicesPerformanceIndicators

1.1.6.1TRAIhasbeenbringingoutamonthlypressreleaseonTelecomSubscriptionData.Thispress

releaseincludesinformationontotalsubscriberbase,Tele-density,ServiceProviderwise

market share,MobileNumberPortability (MNP) requests, PeakVLRdata,NetAdditions

Note:Theabovesaidinformationisbasedonthedata/reportsreceivedinTRAIfromthe

respectedServiceProviders

15

Particulars Wireless Wireline Total

(Wireless+Wireline)

TotalTelephoneSubscribers(Million) 1180.96 20.24 1201.20

NetAdditioninMarch,2021(Million) 13.25 0.05 13.30

MonthlyGrowthRate 1.13% 0.26% 1.12%

UrbanTelephoneSubscribers(Million) 645.20 18.57 663.77

NetAdditioninMarch,2021(Million) 5.96 0.10 6.06

MonthlyGrowthRate 0.93% 0.53% 0.92%

RuralTelephoneSubscribers(Million) 535.75 1.67 537.42

NetAdditioninMarch,2021(Million) 7.29 -0.04 7.24

MonthlyGrowthRate 1.38% -2.60% 1.37%

OverallTele-density*(%) 86.68% 1.49% 88.17%

UrbanTele-density*(%) 137.08% 3.95% 141.03%

RuralTele-density*(%) 60.08% 0.19% 60.27%

ShareofUrbanSubscribers 54.63% 91.76% 55.26%

ShareofRuralSubscribers 45.37% 8.24% 44.74%

BroadbandSubscribers(Million) 755.35 22.75 778.09

stTable-5:HighlightsofTelecomSubscriptionDataason31 March,2021

❖ In themonthofMarch,2021,12.74millionsubscriberssubmitted their requests forMobile

Number Portability (MNP).With this, the cumulativeMNP requests increased from 563.92

million at the end of February, 2021 to 576.67 million at the end of March, 2021, since

implementationofMNP.

❖ Numberofactivewirelesssubscribers(onthedateofpeakVLR#)inMarch,2021was993.92

million.

Note:

- InformationinthisPressReleaseisbasedonthedataprovidedbytheServiceProviders.

* Basedontheprojectionofpopulationfromthe‘ReportoftheTechnicalGrouponPopulation

ProjectionsforIndiaandStates2011–2036’,MinistryofHealth&FamilyWelfare.

# VLRisacronymofVisitorLocationRegister.ThedatesofpeakVLRforvariousTSPsaredifferent

indifferentserviceareas.

1.1.6.2TRAIhasalsobeenpublishingaQuarterlyReporton‘TheIndianTelecomServicesPerformance

Indicators’. This report presents the key parameters and growth trends for Telecom &

Broadcasting services. A summary of the telecom service performance indicators for the

above-mentionedperiodisillustratedinTable–6.

duringthemonthinwireless,wirelineandbroadbandsegmentsetc.Thehighlightofthepressst

releaseontheTelecomSubscriptiondataason31 March,2021,aregivenatTable-5.

16

TelecomSubscribers(Wireless+Wireline)

TotalSubscribers 1,201.20Million

%changeoverthepreviousquarter 2.33%

UrbanSubscribers 663.77Million

RuralSubscribers 537.42Million

MarketshareofPrivateOperators 89.05%

MarketshareofPSUOperators 10.95%

Tele-density 88.17%

UrbanTele-density 141.03%

RuralTele-density 60.27%

WirelessSubscribers

TotalWirelessSubscribers 1,180.96Million






Tele-density 86.68%



TotalWirelessDataUsageduringthequarter 27,799PB

NumberofPublicMobileRadioTrunkServices(PMRTS) 64,175

NumberofVerySmallApertureTerminals(VSAT) 2,93,632

WirelineSubscribers

TotalWirelineSubscribers 20.24Million






Tele-density 1.49%



No.ofVillagePublicTelephones(VPT) 68,606

No.ofPublicCallOffice(PCO) 126,108

stTable-6-PerformanceIndicator(Dataason31 March,2021)st

(DataasonQ.E.31 March,2021)

17

TelecomFinancialData

GrossRevenue(GR)duringthequarter ` 66,784Crore

%ChangeinGRoverthepreviousquarter -6.71%

AdjustedGrossRevenue(AGR)duringthequarter ` 48,587Crore

%ChangeinAGRoverthepreviousquarter 2.03%

ShareofPublicsectorundertakingsinAccessAGR 5.93%

Internet/BroadbandSubscribers

TotalInternetSubscribers 825.30Million

%Changeoverpreviousquarter 3.79%

Narrowbandsubscribers 47.21Million

Broadbandsubscribers 778.09Million

WiredInternetSubscribers 25.99Million

WirelessInternetSubscribers 799.30Million

UrbanInternetSubscribers 502.53Million

RuralInternetSubscribers 322.77Million

TotalInternetSubscribersper100population 60.73

UrbanInternetSubscribersper100population 107.30

RuralInternetSubscribersper100population 36.24

Broadcasting&CableServices

NumberofprivatesatelliteTVchannelspermittedbytheMinistryofI&B 901

forUplinkingonly/downlinkingonly/bothUplinkinganddownlinking

NumberofPayTVChannelsasreportedbybroadcasters 327

NumberofprivateFMRadioStations(excludingAllIndiaRadio) 366

NumberoftotalactivesubscriberswithpayDTHoperators 69.57Million

NumberofOperationalCommunityRadioStations 324

NumberofpayDTHOperators 4

Revenue&UsageParameters

MonthlyARPUofWirelessService 103.58

MinutesofUsage(MOU)persubscriberpermonth-WirelessService 818Minutes

TotalOutgoingMinutesofUsageforInternetTelephony 174.89Million

WirelessDataUsage

AverageWirelessDataUsageperwirelessdatasubscriberpermonth 12.33GB

AveragerevenuerealizationpersubscriberperGBwirelessdata ` 10.77

duringthequarter

18

REVIEWOFPOLICIESANDPROGRAMMES(B)

(inmillion)

1.2 Sinceitsinception,TRAI’sobjectivehasbeentocreateandnurtureconditionsfororderlygrowth

ofthetelecomsectorinthecountryinamannerandatapacewhichwillenableIndiatoplaya

leadingroleintheemergingglobalinformationsociety.Inpursuanceofthisobjective,TRAIhas

initiatedandimplementedvariouspoliciesandprogrammesovertheperiod.Areviewofthe

followingkeypoliciesandprogrammesofTRAIinrespectoftelecomsectorisprovidedbelow:

(a) RuralTelephoneNetwork;

(b) ExpansionofTelephoneNetwork;

(c) Entryofprivatesectorinbothbasicandvalue-addedservice;

(d) Technicalcompatibilityandeffectiveinterconnectionbetweenserviceproviders;

(e) Telecommunicationtechnology;

(f) ImplementationofNationalTelecomPolicy;

(g) QualityofService;and

(h) UniversalServiceObligation

1.2.1RuralTelephoneNetwork

Wireless

st 1.2.1.1Ason31 March,2021,theWirelessrural[MobileandWLL(F)]subscribersincreased

st stfrom519.27millionason31 March,2020to535.75millionattheendof31 March,2021.The

share of rural subscribers is now 45.37% of total wireless subscribers. The rural wireless

subscriberbasesinceMarch,2016 is indicated inFigure-4.Theserviceproviderwiserural

wirelesssubscriberbase&theirmarketsharesareshowninTable-7andFigure-5.

Figure-4:RuralWirelessSubscriberBasesinceMarch,2016

RuralWirelessSubscriberBase

(InM

illion)


444.84

497.76

521.23

511.32

519.27

535.75

19

Source:AsprovidedbyTSPs

Sl. Wireless Subscribersason RuralSubscribersas MarketShareofRural

No.Group (inmillion) on(inmillion) Subscribersason March2021 March2020 March2021March2020 March2021 March2020

1. RJIL 422.92 387.52 179.31 160.94 33.47% 29.98%

2. BhartiAirtel 352.39 327.81 168.63 153.18 31.47% 28.67%

3. Vodafone 283.71* 319.17 149.93* 167.02 27.98%* 33.98%

Idea

4. BSNL 118.63(@) 119.87 37.84 38.09 7.06% 7.36%

5. MTNL 3.30 3.36 0.05 0.05 0.01% 0.01%

6. RCL& 0.01 0.0178 0.00 0.00 0.00 --

7. Tata^ -- -- -- -- -- --

Total 1180.96 1157.75 535.75 519.28 100.00 100.00

stFigure-5:MarketshareofRuralWirelessSubscriberbaseason31 March,2021(in%)

Note:

st(*) M/sVodafoneandM/sIdeaCellularmergedtheircommercialservicew.e.f31 August,2018.

(@) TheHLRfigurereportedbyM/sBSNLVNO’sforTamilNaduCircleisincludedwithBSNLGSMin

TamilNaduCircle.

(&) M/sRCL/RTLhavestoppedprovidingretailservices,however,arecontinuingtoprovideB2B

services.

th(^) M/sTATAhavemergedwithM/sBhartiAirtelw.e.f6 February,2020.

Table-7:ServiceProvider-wiseRuralWirelessSubscribersandMarketShare

MarketshareofRuralWirelessSubscriberbase

VODAFONEIDEA27.98%

AIRTEL31.47%

RCL0.00%MTNL0.01%

BSNL7.06%

JIO33.47%

20

Table-8:ServiceProvider-wiseRuralWirelineSubscriberBaseandMarketShare

WirelineServices

st1.2.1.2Ason31 March,2021theruralwirelinesubscriberbasestoodat1.67millionascomparedtost2.24millionattheendof31 March,2020,registeringadeclineof25.45%overtheyear.The

serviceprovider-wisewirelinesubscriberbaseandtheirmarketshareareshowninTable-8.

(ii) ThestatusofRuralwirelinesubscribersforlastfourquartersisdepictedinFigure-6

Sl. Nameof TotalWireline RuralWireline MarketShareof

No. the Subscribers Subscribers RuralWireline

Service Subscribers(in%)

Provider Mar-20 Mar-21 Mar-20 Mar-21 Mar-20 Mar-21

1 BSNL 87,27,103 66,49,439 21,58,197 15,75,018 96.21% 94.44%

2 MTNL 30,93,800 29,03,589 - - - -

3 Bharti 43,92,581 47,78,290 - - - -

AirtelLtd

4 Quadrant 1,82,269 2,16,428 35,478 28,107 1.58% 1.68%

Televentures

Ltd.

5 Tata 17,70,108 16,26,525 45,723 40,146 2.04% 2.41%

Teleservices

Ltd.

6 Reliance 5,05,605 2,10,328 945 180 0.04% 0.01%

Communi-

cationsLtd.

7 Vodafone 4,55,944 5,21,357 - - -

IdeaLtd

8 RelianceJio 10,90,677 33,33,713 2,838 24,292 0.13% 1.46%

Infocomm

Ltd.

Total 2,02,18,087 2,02,39,669 22,43,181 1,667,743 100.00% 100.00%

Figure-6:BarchartshowingRuralwirelinesubscribers

Jun-20 Sep-20 Dec-20 Mar-21

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

2.091.98 1.81

1.67

Rural

RuralWirelineSubscribers

(inM

illion)

21

(inmillion)

Figure-7:BarChartshowingRuralwirelinesubscribersduring2017-2021

1.2.2ExpansionofTelephoneNetwork

Therehasbeenasubstantialexpansionintelecomnetworksinthecountryduringthelastsix

years,whichisreflectedinincreasingnumberofBaseTransceiverStations(BTS)installedbythe

telecomserviceproviders.TheyearlytrendoftotalnumberofBTS,whichincludes2G,3Gand4G

BTS,fromMarch,2016toMarch,2021,canbeenseenintheFigure-8.Duringthelastfinancial

year2020-21,thenumberofBTShaveincreasedfrom2313462to2504910, i.ethetelecom

networkshaveexpandedatarateof8.3%.

Figure-8:BTSinstalled

WirelessServices

st1.2.2.1TheWirelessSubscriberbaseis1180.96millionason31 March,2021incomparisontothe

stsubscriberbaseof1157.75millionason31 March,2020. Thesubscriberbaseincreasedby

(iii) The status of Rural wireline subscribers during the last five financial years is depicted in

Figure-7.


4

3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

3.85

3.383.02

2.24

1.67

WirelineDELs(inM

illion)

3000000

2500000

2000000

1500000

1000000

500000

0Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20

975679

14458271672732

1988099

23134622504910

Mar-21

BTS(2G)/NodeBs(3G)/eNodeBs(4G)

BTS(2G)/NodeBs(3G)/eNodeBs(4G)

BTSInstalled(inM

illion)

22

Source:ServiceProviders

Service 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 %age

Providers growth/

reduction

overFY

2019-20

RelianceJIO(*) 108.68 186.56 306.72 387.52 422.92 9.14%

Bharti 273.65 304.19 325.18 327.81($) 352.39 7.50%

Vodafone 209.06 222.70 394.84(^) 319.17(^) 283.71(^) -11.11%

Idea 195.37 211.21

BSNL 100.99 111.68 115.74(~) 119.87(~) 118.63(~) -1.03%

MTNL 3.63 3.56 3.45 3.36 3.30 -1.79%

RCOM/RTL(#) 83.50 0.19 0.02 0.0178 0.01 -43.82%

Aircel(+) 90.90 74.15 -- -- -

Tata 48.99 31.19 15.85 --

Telenor 50.49 37.98 0.00($) --

Sistema(&) 4.91 - -

Videocon(@) - - -

Quadrant(@) - - -

Total 1170.18 1183.41 1161.81 1157.75 1180.96 2.00%

(inmillion)

Thesubscriberbaseofindividualwirelessserviceprovidersfrom2016-17to2020-21along

withtheirpercentagegrowthoverthefinancialyear2018-19isgivenintheTable-9.

Themarketshareofdifferentmobileoperatorsason31stMarch2021isdisplayedinFigure-10.

Figure-9:SubscriberbaseofwirelessOperators

23.21millionsubscribersduringthefinancialyear2020-21.Thetrendofsubscriberbasefrom

March2015toMarch,2021isdepictedinFigure-9.

Table-9:SubscriberBaseofWirelessServicesfrom2016-17to2020-21

(Subscriberbaseinmillion)

(*) M/sRelianceJioInfocommLtdlaunchedtheircommercialservicesin2016-17.

th th($) M/sTelenor andM/sTATAhavemergedwithM/sBhartiAirtelw.e.f 14 May,2018and6

February,2020respectively.

969.99

1033.43

1170.18

1183.41

1161.81

1157.75

1180.96

Mar-16 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 Mar-21Mar-15

WirelessSubscriberBase

23

(inMillion)

st(^) M/sVodafoneandM/sIdeaCellularmergedtheircommercialservicew.e.f31 August,2018.

(~) ThesubscriberbaseofM/sBSNLincludessubscribersofVNOserviceprovidersalso.

(@) M/sVideoconandM/sQuadrantdiscontinueditsservicesin2016-17.

(&) TheservicesofM/sSistemaShyamLtd.havebeentakenoverbyM/sRCOM/RTLin2017-18.

(+) M/sAircelhasstoppedprovidingcommercialservicessinceApril,2018asithasfiledinsolvency

intheNCLT.

StFigure-10:MarketShareofWirelessServiceProviders(ason31 March,2021)

Intermsofsubscriberbase,M/sRelianceJioInfocomLtdwasthelargestserviceproviderwith

422.92millionsubscribers;followedbyM/sBhartiAirtelLtd,M/sVodafoneIdeaLtdandM/s

BSNLwith352.39million,283.71millionand118.63millionrespectively.

ThesubscriberbaseforWirelessservicesindifferentcategoriesofserviceareasfortheperiod

March,2016toMarch,2021isindicatedgraphicallyinFigure-11.

Figure-11:Circle-CategorywisesubscriberbaseforWirelessServices

fromMarch,2016toMarch,2021

VODAFONEIDEA

24.02%AIRTEL

29.84%

BSNL

10.05%JIO

35.81%

MTNL

0.28%

RCL

0.00%

Circle-Categ

orywisesu

bscriberbase

(Figur

esin

Million)


104.07

363.69

414.16

151.71

119.25

409.06

466.38

175.48

118.46

413.21

467.1

184.64

116.49

399.66

471.08

174.58

116.96

398.19

466.26

176.33

118.88

404.45

476.41

181.21

24

Sl. ServiceProviders Service LicensedServiceArea

No. Areas

1 BhartiAirtelGroup 22 AllIndia

2 RelianceCommunications AllIndia(exceptAssam&Northeast)/Kolkata,

Ltd.,/RelianceTelecomLtd. MadhyaPradesh,WestBengal,Himachal

Pradesh,Bihar,Odisha,Assam&NorthEast

3 VodafoneIdeaLtd 22 AllIndia

4 BSNL 20 AllIndiaexceptDelhi&Mumbai

5 MTNL 2 Delhi,Mumbai

6 RelianceJioInfocommLtd 22 AllIndia

Sl. ServiceProviders Service LicensedServiceArea

No Areas

1 ADPAYMobilePaymentIndiaPvt.Ltd. 1 TamilNaduincludingChennai

2 SurftelecomPvtLtd 22 AllIndia

(formerlyPlintronIndiaPvt.Ltd.)

The listof serviceproviders thosehavebeen licensed toprovideWirelessAccessService in

variousserviceareasisgiveninTable-10.

stTable-10:WirelessServiceProvidersason31 March,2021

Source:DoTWebsite.

UL (Virtual Network Operators) (VNO) Access Services licensees who are providingstservicesason31 March,2021

Source:AsreportedbyTSP

WirelineServices

st1.2.2.2TheServiceProviderwisebreak-upofwirelinesubscribersof20.24millionason31 March,

2021,isshowninTable-11andthebreak-upintermsofruralandurbansubscriberisshownin

Table-12. The incumbents BSNL and MTNL have 32.85% and 14.35% market share

respectivelyinthewirelinesubscriberbase,whileallthesixprivateoperatorstogetherhavest52.80%share. Theshareofprivateoperatorshasincreasedfrom41.53%ason31 March,

st2020to52.80%ason31 March,2021,registeringanincreaseof11.27%.

25

stTable-11:ServiceProviderwisedetailsofWirelineSubscriberbaseason31 March,2021

Sl. Nameofthe AreaofOperation SubscriberBase

No. ServiceProvider (Wireline)

1 BSNL AllIndiaexceptDelhi&Mumbai 6,649,439

2 MTNL Delhi&Mumbai 2,903,589

3 BhartiAirtelLtd AndhraPradesh(excludingTelangana),Delhi,Gujarat, 4,778,290

Haryana,Karnataka,Kerala,Kolkata,MadhyaPradesh

(excludingChhattisgarh),Chhattisgarh,Maharashtra

(excludingMumbai),Mumbai,Punjab,Rajasthan,

TamilNadu(excludingChennai),Chennai,UP-East

andUP-West(excludingUttarakhand).

4 Quadrant Punjab 216,428

TeleventuresLtd.

5 Reliance AndhraPradesh(excludingTelangana),Telangana, 210,328

CommunicationsBihar(ExcludingJharkhand),Jharkhand,Delhi,

Ltd. Gujarat,Haryana,HimachalPradesh,Karnataka,

Kerala,Kolkata,MadhyaPradesh(excluding

Chhattisgarh),Chhattisgarh,Maharashtra(Excluding

Mumbai&Goa)Goa,Mumbai,Orissa,Punjab,

Rajasthan,TamilNadu(excludingChennai),Chennai,

UP-East,UP-West(ExcludingUttarakhand),

UttarakhandandWestBengal(ExcludingAndaman

&NicobarandSikkim)

6 RelianceJio AndhraPradesh(excludingTelangana),Telangana, 3,333,713

Bihar(ExcludingJharkhand),Jharkhand,Delhi,

Gujarat,Haryana,HimachalPradesh,Jammu&

Kashmir,Karnataka,Kerala,Kolkata,MadhyaPradesh

(ExcludingChhattisgarh),Chhattisgarh,Maharashtra

(ExcludingMumbai&Goa),Goa,Mumbai,Assam,

ArunachalPradesh,Manipur,Meghalaya,Mizoram,

Nagaland,Tripura,Orissa,Punjab,Rajasthan,Tamil

Nadu(ExcludingChennai),Chennai,UP-East,

UP-West(ExcludingUttarakhand),Uttarakhandand

WestBengal(ExcludingAndaman&Nicobar

andSikkim)

7 Tata AndhraPradesh(ExcludingTelangana),Telangana, 1,626,525

Teleservices Bihar(ExcludingJharkhand),Jharkhand,Delhi,

Ltd. Gujarat,Haryana,HimachalPradesh,Karnataka,

Kerala,Kolkata,Maharashtra(excludingMumbai&

Goa),Goa,Mumbai,MadhyaPradesh(Excluding

Chhattisgarh),Chhattisgarh,Orissa,Punjab,

Rajasthan,TamilNadu(ExcludingChennai),Chennai,

UP-East,UP-West(ExcludingUttarakhand),


&NicobarandSikkim)

26

Source:AsperdatafurnishedbytheTSPs.

Sl.No NameofServiceProviders Urban Rural TotalSubscribers

(Wireline)

1 BharatSancharNigamLtd. 5,074,421 1,575,018 6,649,439

2 MahanagarTelephoneNigamLtd. 2,903,589 0 2,903,589

3 BhartiAirtelLimited 4,778,290 0 4,778,290

4 QuadrantTeleventuresLtd. 188,321 28,107 216,428

5 RelianceCommunicationsLtd. 210,148 180 210,328

6 RelianceJioInfocommLtd. 3,309,421 24,292 3,333,713

7 TataTeleservicesLtd. 1,586,379 40,146 1,626,525

8 VodafoneIdeaLtd. 521,357 0 521,357

Total 18,571,926 1,667,743 20,239,669

8 VodafoneIdea AndhraPradesh(ExcludingTelangana),Telangana, 521,357

Ltd. Assam,Bihar(ExcludingJharkhand),Jharkhand,

Delhi,Gujarat,Haryana,HimachalPradesh,Karnataka,

Kerala,Kolkata,MadhyaPradesh(Excluding

Chhattisgarh),Chhattisgarh,Maharashtra(Excluding

Mumbai&Goa),Goa,Mumbai,Meghalaya,Orissa,

Punjab,Rajasthan,TamilNadu(ExcludingChennai),

Chennai,UP-East,UP-West(ExcludingUttarakhand),


&NicobarandSikkim)

TOTAL 20,239,669

stTable-12:WirelineSubscriberBaseofServiceProvidersason31 March,2021

ShareofServiceProvidersinWirelinesubscribers

st1.2.2.3(i)Ason31 March,2021,47.2%oftotalwirelinesubscribersareconnectedtothenetworksof

BSNL/MTNLandtheremainingwirelineconnectionsareprovidedbydifferentprivateservice

providers.Themarketshareofdifferentserviceproviderintotalwirelinesubscriberbaseis

shownintheFigure-12.

Figure-12:CompositionofshareofServiceProviders

RelianceJio16.47%

TataTeleservicesLtd.8.04%

VodafoneIdeaLtd.2.58%

RelianceCommunications

1.04%BharatSancharNigamLtd.32.85%

QuadrantTeleventureLtd.

1.07%Mahanagar

TelephoneNigamLtd.14.35%

BhartiAirtelLtd.23.61%

MarketShareofServiceProvidersinWirelineServicesasston31 March,2021(in%)

27

st stS.No. NameoftheServiceProvider Ason31 March,2020 Ason31 March,2021

1 BSNL 1,05,003 68,826

2 MTNL 62,464 52,771

3 PrivateOperators 10,058 4,511

Total 1,77,525 1,26,108

Figure-13:CompositionofshareofWirelineSubscriberBaseinUrbanareas

st(iii) Ason31 March,2021,thetotalruralwirelinesubscriberswere1.67million.Themarketshareof

differentwirelineserviceprovidersinruralareasisdepictedintheFigure-14:-

Figure-14:CompositionofshareofServiceProvidersinRuralareas

PublicCallOffices(PCOs):

st1.2.2.4Ason31 March,2021,thetotalnumberofPCOsis1.26millionascomparedto1.78millionas

ston31 March,2020.ThenumberofPCOsprovidedbyBSNL,MTNLandPrivateOperatorsis

indicatedinTable-13:-

st(ii) Ason31 March,2021,thetotalurbanwirelinesubscriberswere18.57million,outofwhich

about 42.96%are provided byBSNL/MTNL. Themarket share of differentwireline service

providersinurbanareasisdepictedintheFigure-13.


RelianceJio17.82%Reliance

Communications1.13%


1.01%

MahanagarTelephoneNigamLtd.15.63%

VodafoneIdeaLtd.2.81%

BharatSancharNigamLtd.27.32%


MarketShareofServiceProviderinUrbanWirelineSubscriberBasest

ason31 March,2021(in%)

RelianceCommunications

0.01%


1.69%


MahanagarTelephoneNigamLtd.0.00%

BharatSancharNigamLtd.94.44%

VodafoneIdeaLtd.

0.00%


RelianceJio1.46%

MarketShareofServiceProviderinRuralWirelineSubscriberBasest

on31 March,2021(in%)

Table-13:PublicCallOfficesinIndia

28

st stS.No. NameoftheServiceProvider Ason31 March,2020 Ason31 March,2021

1 BSNL 67,762 68,606

Total 67,762 68,606

VillagePublicTelephones(VPTs):

st1.2.2.5Ason31 March,2021,thetotalnumberofVillagePublicTelephones(VPTs)providedbythestservice providers were 0.69 lakh as against 0.68 lakh as on 31 March, 2020.Table-14

providesthenumberofVPTsfunctioninginthecountry.

Table-14:VillagePublicTelephonesinIndia

EquippedSwitchingCapacity:

st1.2.2.6 As on 31 March, 2021, the service provider-wise total equipped switching capacity and

workingconnectionsareshowninTable-15.

Table-15:ServiceProviderwiseEquippedswitchingcapacity

Sl. Nameofthe ServiceArea Ason31 March,2021st

No. ServiceProvider Equipped Working

Switching Connections

Capacity

(Numberof

Lines)

1 BhartiAirtelLtd. AndhraPradesh(excludingTelangana), 11,094,852 4,778,290

Delhi,Gujarat,Haryana,Karnataka,

Kerala,Kolkata,MadhyaPradesh(excluding

Chhattisgarh),Chhattisgarh,Maharashtra

(excludingMumbai),Mumbai,Punjab,

Rajasthan,TamilNadu(excludingChennai),

Chennai,UP-EastandUP-West(excluding

Uttarakhand).

2 BharatSanchar AllIndiaexceptDelhi&Mumbai 24,796,337 6,649,439

NigamLtd.

3 Mahanagar Delhi&Mumbai 4,881,215 2,903,589

TelephoneNigam

Ltd.

4 Quadrant Punjab 548,835 216,428

TeleventuresLtd.

5 Reliance AndhraPradesh(excludingTelangana), 1,344,000 210,328

Communications Telangana,Bihar(ExcludingJharkhand),

Ltd. Jharkhand,Delhi,Gujarat,Haryana,Himachal

Pradesh,Karnataka,Kerala,Kolkata,Madhya

Pradesh(excludingChhattisgarh),

Chhattisgarh,Maharashtra(Excluding

Mumbai&Goa)Goa,Mumbai,Orissa,Punjab,

Rajasthan,TamilNadu(excludingChennai),

Chennai,UP-East,UP-West(Excluding

Uttarakhand),UttarakhandandWestBengal

(ExcludingAndaman&NicobarandSikkim)

29

Sl. Nameofthe ServiceArea Ason31 March,2020st

No. ServiceProvider Equipped Working

Switching Connections

Capacity

(Numberof

Lines)

Source:AsperreportfurnishedbytheServiceProviders.

6 RelianceJio AndhraPradesh(excludingTelangana), 23,928,000 3,333,713

InfocommLtd. Telangana,Bihar(ExcludingJharkhand),

Jharkhand,Delhi,Gujarat,Haryana,Himachal

Pradesh,Jammu&Kashmir,Karnataka,



(ExcludingMumbai&Goa),Goa,Mumbai,

Assam,ArunachalPradesh,Manipur,

Meghalaya,Mizoram,Nagaland,Tripura,

Orissa,Punjab,Rajasthan,TamilNadu

(ExcludingChennai),Chennai,UP-East,

UP-West(ExcludingUttarakhand),

UttarakhandandWestBengal(Excluding

Andaman&NicobarandSikkim)

7 TataTeleservices AndhraPradesh(ExcludingTelangana), 3,836,253 1,626,525

Ltd.& Telangana,Bihar(ExcludingJharkhand),

Jharkhand,Delhi,Gujarat,Haryana,Himachal

Pradesh,Karnataka,Kerala,Kolkata,

Maharashtra(excludingMumbai&Goa),Goa,

MumbaiMadhyaPradesh(Excluding

Chhattisgarh),Chhattisgarh,Orissa,Punjab,

Rajasthan,TamilNadu(ExcludingChennai),

Chennai,UP-East,UP-West(Excluding

Uttarakhand),UttarakhandandWestBengal

(ExcludingAndaman&NicobarandSikkim)

8 VodafoneIdeaLtd AndhraPradesh(ExcludingTelangana), 675,000 521,357

Telangana,Assam,Bihar(Excluding

Jharkhand),Jharkhand,Delhi,Gujarat,

Haryana,HimachalPradesh,Karnataka,



(ExcludingMumbai&Goa),Goa,Mumbai

Meghalaya,Orissa,Punjab,Rajasthan,Tamil

Nadu(ExcludingChennai),Chennai,UP-East,

UP-West(ExcludingUttarakhand),

UttarakhandandWestBengal(Excluding

Andaman&NicobarandSikkim)

30

Wireless

Segment Category InternetSubscribers %

March,2020 March,2021 Growth

A. Wired Broadband 19.176 22.749 18.64%

Narrowband 3.241 3.246 0.17%

Total 22.416 25.995 15.97%

B. FixedWireless Broadband 0.602 0.671 11.46%

(Wi-Fi,Wi-Max,Radio Narrowband 0.006 0.006 -5.11%

&VSAT) Total 0.608 0.677 11.30%

MobileWireless Broadband 667.659 754.674 13.03%

(Phone+Dongle) Narrowband 52.507 43.955 -16.29%

Total 720.166 798.629 10.90%

TotalInternetSubscribers Broadband 687.438 778.095 13.19%

Narrowband 55.753 47.207 -15.33%

Total 743.191 825.301 11.05%

[SubscribersinMillion]

(SubscribersinMillion)

Table-16:DetailsofInternetandBroadbandSubscribers

InternetandBroadbandSubscribers

st1.2.2.7TheInternetsubscriberbaseinthecountryason31 March,2021stoodat825.301millionasstcomparedto743.191millionason31 March,2020.Thetotalbroadbandsubscriberbaseof

st stthecountryason31 March,2021is778.095millionwhereasitwas687.438millionon31

March,2020.

st Thedetailsofsubscriptionasreportedbytheserviceprovidersinthecountryason31 March,

2021areindicatedinTable-16.

1.2.2.8 Quarter-wiseInternet/Broadbandsubscriptionasreportedbytheserviceprovidersforthe

financialyear2020-21isatTable-17.

Service March June September December March

2020 2020 2020 2020 2021

Broadband 687.438 698.231 726.317 747.408 778.095

Narrowband 55.753 50.840 50.138 47.772 47.207

TotalInternet 743.191 749.071 776.455 795.181 825.301

Table-17:Quarter-wiseInternet/BroadbandSubscribers

31

Source:AsreportedbyTSP

Table-18:UL(VirtualNetworkOperators)(VNO)AccessServiceslicenseesst

whoareprovidingservicesason31 March,2021

1.2.4TechnicalCompatibilityandeffectiveinterconnectionwithserviceproviders

1.2.4.1 Under the TRAI Act, the Authority is mandated to fix the terms and conditions of

interconnectivityandtoensuretechnicalcompatibilityandeffectiveinterconnectionbetween

serviceproviders.Interconnectionliesatthecoreofthetelecombusinessinamulti-operator

environment.Thetermsandconditionsofinterconnectionneedstoberegulatedtoensurealevel

playingfieldamongserviceproviders.Duringthereportingperiod,followingRegulationswere

issuedforeffectiveinterconnectionbetweenserviceproviders:

“The Telecommunication Interconnection Usage Charges (Sixteenth Amendment)th

Regulations,2020”dated17 April,2020

1.2.4.1 The Authority issued “The Telecommunication Interconnection Usage Charges (Sixteenthth

Amendment)Regulations,2020”on17 April,2020. ThroughtheseRegulations,theregimeof

fixedInternationalTerminationCharges(ITC)@Re.0.30hasbeenrevisedtoforbearanceregime

withinaprescribedrangeofRe.0.35perminutetoRe.0.65perminute.TheseRegulationscamestintoforcefrom1 May,2020.

ThedetailsoftheseRegulationsareavailableinPart-IIoftheReport.

1.2.5TelecommunicationTechnology

i. ChannelSelectorApp:

TRAI'sprevailingregulations/ordersforthetelevisionandbroadcastingsectorgavefreedomto

consumers to select televisionchannels theywant towatch. Inorder tohelpconsumers for

Sl.No. ServiceProviders Service LicensedServiceArea

Areas

1 ADPAYMobilePaymentIndiaPvt.Ltd. 1 TamilNaduincludingChennai

2 SurftelecomPvtLtd 22 AllIndia

(formerlyPlintronIndiaPvt.Ltd.)

3 BasicandValue-addedservices-NLD 21

Licence(BeforeULRegime)

4 No.ofNLDLicence(UnderULregime) 11

5 BasicandValue-added 21

services-ILDLicenceth6 BasicandValue-added 06 [ason30 June,2021(underUL

th services-ILDLicence Regime),30 June,2017(NLD),asth (UnderULRegime) on15 December,2015(ILD),

Source:DoT]

1.2.3EntryofPrivateSectorinbasicandvalue-addedservice

1.2.3.1UL(VirtualNetworkOperators)(VNO)AccessServiceslicenseeswhoareprovidingservicesasston31 March,2021aredepictedinTable-18.

32

selectionofchannelswiththeimplementationofthenewframework,TRAIhasdevelopedthisth

ChannelSelectorApp&launchedon25 June,2020forbothAndroid&iOSplatform.ThisApp

facilitatesDTH/Cable subscribers to check theirown subscription, knowcompleteplatform

offerings provided by theirDTH/CableOperator, get optimized solution and submitmodify

subscriptionrequest.

ii. PortalforExemptionfromSMSTerminationCharges:

This Portal facilitates Government entities to online apply for the exemption from SMS

terminationchargesupto5paisaforregisteredheadersunderRegulation35ofTCCCPR,2018.

This portal also helps Government entities to know about the renewal dates and other

informationrelatedtothe5paisaexemption.

iii. HeaderInformationPortal:

TheHeader InformationPortal facilitatesCustomers toknowthesenderofCommercialand

Governmentawarenesscommunications.Thisportalmayalsohelpotherprincipalentitiesto

checkwhether any look-alike header is registered by any other entity. Anyone can query a

particular header ordownload the complete list. TSPs canupload the list of alpha-numeric

headersassignedtoPrincipalEntities(Businessorlegalentities).

iv. DNDApp–APISpecification:

With the release of TCCCP, Regulation 2018,major changeswere being done regarding the

implementationofprovisionsoftheregulation.Accordingly,DNDAppneededupdationasper

regulation. Hence, API specifications were created to securely communicate with service

providerssystems.WiththeseAPIspecificationsserviceprovidersshalldeveloptheirAPIsfor

integratinginDNDApp.

v. E-office:

st E-Officewas inaugurated byDr P.D. Vaghela, Chairman, TRAI on 1 January, 2021.With the

adoptionofE-Office,TRAIhasnowbecomelargelyapaperlessorganizationwhereinallfilework

is handled through electronic file mode. This adoption of E-office shall ensure greater

accountability and transparency in administration, reduce costs incurred in storage and

preservationofphysicalfiles,facilitateofficerstodisposeofffilesfrom“anywhereandanytime”

therebybyimprovingefficiencyoffiledisposal,enable24/7accesstofilesandimportantpapers

toseniorofficers,etc.

vi. ReportingAutomation:

ITdivisionhasdevelopedaDataCollectionandAnalyticalReportsPortal,whichwillprovide

automatedDataCollection,ProcessingandReportsGenerationforvariousdivisionsinTRAI.The

stakeholders, identified by concerned division, will submit the data with valid login id &

password.TheprocesseddataandanalyticalreportsarebeingcreatedbyusingTableauandare

availableinthesystemfortheconcerneddivisiontodownload.PresentlytheNSL-IIdivisionis

usingthesystemforPerformanceMonitoringReport(PMR).Lateron,oncecustomizationfor

NSL-I&QoSdivisionisdone,thesedivisionsshallbeabletousethesystem.

33

vii. DataAnalyticsandCloudServices:

Tocreatemeaningfulinsights&informationfromthedatacollectionthroughcrowdsourcing&

fromrespectiveserviceproviders,dataanalysisisregularlybeingdoneusingfree/licensedtools

&technologyforinternalreportgenerationsforvariousdivisionsofTRAI.Also,majorityofthe

TRAIapplicationsarehostedonCloudenvironmentthusleveragingtheopportunityofsavingsin

termsoftimeandinfrastructurecosts.

viii. InfrastructureUpgradation:

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, all official work was done online including meetings/video

conferencing.

Tofacilitatetheworkfollowingweredone:

a. 50MbpsNICNETlinewasestablishedbetweenNICandTRAIforsecurelyaccessinge-

office&videoconferencing.

b. 16 dual band WiFi routers were installed for Sr. Officers for access to high-speed

internet/broadband.

c. 35WebcamsandHeadphoneswereprovidedtoDy.Advisorsandabovelevelofficersfor

attendingtoe-meetings.

d. 20highspeedscanners&100DSCswereprocuredforimplementationofe-office.

1.2.6ImplementationofNationalDigitalCommunicationPolicy

1.2.6.1The National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP-2018) envisages to encourage and

facilitatesharingofactiveinfrastructurebyenhancingthescopeofInfrastructureProviders

(IPs)andpromotingand incentivizingdeploymentofcommonsharable,passiveaswellas

active,infrastructure.

TRAI had suo-motu issued the Consultation Paper on “Review of Scope of InfrastructurethProvidersCategory-I(IP-I)Registration”on16 August,2019.Afterdueconsultationprocess,

TRAI issued Recommendations on ‘Enhancement of Scope of Infrastructure Providersth

Category-I(IP-I)Registration’dated13 March,2021andsenttoSecretary(Telecom),DoTfor

consideration.

th DoTvideitsletterNo.10-12/2012-CS-III(Pt.II)/236dated18 November,2020informedthat

TRAIRecommendationson“EnhancementofScopeofInfrastructureProvidersCategory-I(IP-thI) Registration” dated 13 March, 2020 has been considered and some clarificationswere

soughtfromTRAI.Afterduedeliberations,TRAIsentitsresponsetoSecretary,DoTvideletterthNo.R-16/1/(1)/2021-NSL-Idated11 January,2021.

th DoTvideitsletterdated08 May,2019requestedTRAItofurnishrecommendationsonthe

strategiesofNationalDigitalCommunicationsPolicy2018whichinteraliaincludes“Ensuring

adequatenumbering resources, bydeveloping aunifiednumberingplan for fixed line and

mobileservices.”TRAIafterduedeliberationsofConsultationprocessanddiscussionswith

stakeholders, had finalized its recommendations on “Ensuring Adequate NumberingthResourcesforFixedLineandMobileServices”andsenttoSecretary,DoTvideletterdated29

May,2020.

1.2.7 QualityofService(QoS)

1.2.7.1During the year2020-21, the focus ofmonitoringofQuality of Service anddisseminating

information on QoS and curbing the spam had undergone a change with more focus on

technology-basedsolutions.

1.2.8 UniversalServiceObligation

1.2.8.1As per the IndianTelegraphAct 1885 (as amended in 2003 and2006),Universal Service

Obligationisdefinedasaccesstotelegraphservicestopeopleinruralandremoteareasat

affordableandreasonableprices.Inthepresentcontext,itmaybesaidthatUniversalService

Obligationmeansprovidingtelecommunicationservicetoalluserseverywherewithadefined

minimumserviceofspecifiedqualityatanaffordableprice.

st Keepingthisobjectiveinmind,UniversalServiceObligationFund(USOF)wasestablishedon1

April,2002undertheIndianTelegraph(Amendment)Act2003(furtheramendedin2006),to

providefinancialsupportfortheprovisionoftelecomservicesincommerciallyunviablerural

andremoteareasofthecountry.

th Initsrecommendationsdated19 December,2016on‘EncouragingDatausageinRuralAreas

throughProvisioningofFreeData’,theAuthorityhasrecommendedthatinordertobridgethe

affordabilitygapforthepersonsresidinginruralareasandtosupportGovernmentsefforts

towardscashlesseconomybyincentivizingdigitalmeans,aschemeofprovidingfreedataof

approx. 100MBpermonth to rural subscribers for freemay be launched and the cost of

implementationoftheschememaybemetfromUSOF.

34

REVIEWOFGENERALENVIRONMENTINTHEBROADCASTING AND CABLE TV SECTOR

(C)


i. The broadcasting sector consists of Television and Radio Services. The Television services

comprises of CableTV services,DTH services,HITS services, IPTV services in addition to a

terrestrialTVnetworkofDoordarshan.Asperanindustryreport,intheyear2020,thereare1estimated 210.2 million TV households in India wherein the estimated share of Cable TV

households,payDTHhouseholds,FreeDTHhouseholdsandterrestrialTVhouseholdsis48%,1

32%,19%&1%respectively .

4ii. The TV broadcasting sector encompasses 350 broadcasters , out of which, 40 are pay

3broadcasters at the end of March 2021. Further, there were 1724 (1722 Regular & 02

5Provisional) Multi System Operators (MSOs) registered with Ministry of Information and

3 3Broadcasting (MIB), an estimated 1,40,000 cable operators , 1 HITS operator , 4 pay DTH3 3operators andfewIPTVoperators ,attheendofMarch,2021,inadditiontothepublicservice

broadcaster-Doordarshan,providingafree-to-airDTHserviceinIndia.

3iii. Atpresent,thereare901privatesatelliteTVchannels permittedbyMIBattheendofMarch,3 32021,outofwhich,235areSDpayTVchannels and92areHDPayTVchannels .

2 2iv. India’stelevisionindustrystandsat 68,500 croresintheyear2020ascomparedto 78,800

crore in theyear2019, thereby registeringadeclineof around13%.Subscription revenues

accountforamajorshareoftheoverallindustryrevenue.Subscriptionrevenueshasfallenfrom2 2

` 46,800 crores in the year 2019 to ` 43,400 crore in the year 2020. On a similar note,2 2

advertisementrevenueduringtheyear2020was 25,100 croreascomparedto 32,000 crore

intheyear2019.

3v. AsreportedbytheprivateFMRadiobroadcasters,therewere366 privateFMradiostations

operationalattheendofMarch,2021,besidesthepublicservicebroadcaster-AllIndiaRadio

(AIR). As regards Community Radio Stations, reported by the Ministry of Information and3Broadcasting(MIB),outofthe403 licensesissuedattheendofMarch,2021forthesetupofsuch

3stations,324 communityradiostationshavebecomeoperational.Thereportedadvertisement3

revenuesbytheprivateFMRadiobroadcastershavefallenfrom 1902.75crore inyear2019-203

to 941.47crores intheyear2020-21.

ThesectorcomprisesofCableTVservices,DTHservices,terrestrialTVservices,HITSservices,

IPTVservices, and radiobroadcasting services.TheFMRadiobroadcasting isalso themost

popular andpervasivemedium toprovide entertainment, information and education to the

masses.Thepresentstatusofvariousservicesinthebroadcastingsectorisoutlinedasbelow:

35

Figure-15:AnnualgrowthinnumberofsatelliteTVchannelsinIndia

Figure-16:AnnualGrowthinnumbersofSDsatellitepayTVchannels

Figure-17:AnnualgrowthinnumberofHDsatellitepayTVchannels

1.4 Thepresentstatusofvariousservicesinthebroadcastingsectorisoutlinedasbelow:

SatelliteTVChannels

1.4.1The total number of Satellite TV channels permitted by the Ministry of Information and

Broadcastinghasincreasedsubstantiallyfrom888attheendofMarch,2017to901attheendof

March,2021.Figure-15depictsyear-wisetotalnumberofTVchannelsduringthisperiod.The

numberofStandardDefinition(SD)payTVchannelshasgrownfrom212attheendofMarch

2017to235attheendofMarch2021.Figure-16depictsyear-wisetotalnumberofSDPayTV

channelsduringthisperiod.Figure-17depictstheyear-wisenumberofHDchannelsreported

duringthisperiod.AttheendofMarch,2021,thereareatotalof92operationalHDchannels.A

listofbroadcasters&theirPayTVchannels(SD&HD)isatAnnexure-Iasapartofthisreport.

36

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

930

920

910

900

890

880

870

860

850

840

888

875

902

926

901

Source-MinistryofI&B

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

212 213

229

235 235

235

230

225

220

215

210

205

200

Source:AsReportedtoTRAI

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

83

95

99 98

92

100

95

90

85

80

75

Source:AsReportedtoTRAI

(inmillion)

Figure-18:AnnualgrowthintotalactivesubscriberbaseofpayDTHsector

ApartfromanincreaseintheavailabilityofconventionalTVchannels,thepayDTHoperators

have continued to add several innovative offerings and value-added services (VAS) such as

movie-on-demand,gaming,shopping,educationetc.

FMRadio

1.4.3Radio is a popular means for mass communication, owing largely, to its wide coverage,

portability,lowset-upcostandaffordability.InIndia,RadiocoverageisavailableintheShort-

wave(SW)andMedium-wave(MW)bandsintheAmplitudeModulation(AM)modeandalso

Frequency Modulation (FM) mode. FM Radio broadcasting today, is the most popular and

pervasivemediumtoprovideentertainment,informationandeducationtothemasses.Thereare

366privateFMradiostationsoperationalat theendofMarch,2021,besides the terrestrial

networkofthepublicservicebroadcaster-AllIndiaRadio(AIR).

DTHServices

1.4.2Sinceitsintroductionintheyear2003,IndianDTHservicehasdisplayedaphenomenalgrowth.

PayDTHhasattainedtotalactivesubscriberbaseofaround69.57millionattheendofMarch

2021. This is in addition to the subscribers of the DD Free Dish (free DTH services of

Doordarshan).AttheendofMarch,2021,thereare4payDTHserviceproviderscateringtothis

subscriberbase.AlistofpayDTHoperatorsisplacedatAnnexure-II.Itisimportanttonotethat

previously (upto March, 2020) the subscription figure of total active subscribers included

inactiveandtemporarilysuspendedsubscribersfornotmorethanlast120days.Howeverasper

newregulatoryframeworkofBroadcastingandCableTVServices,thetotalactivesubscribers

includesubscriberswhohavebeeninactiveortemporarilysuspendedfornotmorethanlast90

days.ThispointhasbeendulyclarifiedbytheAuthorityinthePressReleaseno.86/2019dated

8thOctober2019(https://main.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.86of2019.pdf).Yearly

growthofthesectorintermsofitsnetactivesubscriberbaseisdepictedinFigure-18:

37

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Source:AsreportedtoTRAI

74.00

72.00

70.00

68.00

66.00

64.00

62.00

60.00

58.00

63.61

67.53

72.4470.26 69.57

(inmillion)

AstheendofMarch,2021,366FMradiostationshavebeenmadeoperationalin105citiesby30

private FMbroadcasters. Introductionof private FMbroadcasters in the radio broadcasting

sectorhassignificantlyenhancedradiocoveragewhileprovidinggoodqualityreceptionand

content to listeners. This has also led to encouraging local talent as well as enhancing

employment opportunities in these areas. The yearwise total number of private FM radio

stationsisdepictedinFigure-19.Further,thereportedadvertisementrevenuesbytheprivate2FM Radio broadcasters is ` 941.47 crores in the year 2020-21. The year-wise total

advertisementrevenueofprivateFMRadiostationsisdepictedinFigure-20:

Figure-20:AnnualgrowthinFMRadioAdvertisementRevenue

CommunityRadio

1.4.4.AnotherareaofgrowthintheradiolandscapeistheexpansioninthenumberofCommunity

RadioStations(CRS)inthecountry.ThereishugelatentpotentialinCRS,giventhevastlandscape

ofthiscountry,linguisticdiversityregionalflavoursandculturalvariations.CommunityRadio

broadcastingcanserveasamediumfornetworkingofsmallgroupsandcommunitieswitha

specificfocusondailyconcernsofthecommonmanandalsohelpthemrealizelocalaspirations.

CRSaresetupinassociationwitheducationalinstitutionsandcivilsocietyorganizations.Atthe

endofMarch,2021,324communityradiostationshavebecomeoperational.Theannualgrowth

inthenumberofcommunityradiostationsisdepictedinFigure-21.

Figure-19:AnnualgrowthinnumberofPrivateFMRadioStations

(inmillion)

38

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

293324

356 368 366

Source:AsreportedbyFMRadioOperators

2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

2046.54 2170.042381.51

1902.75

941.47

Source:AsreportedtoTRAI

Figure-21:AnnualgrowthinNumberofCommunityRadioStations

Overall status of the broadcasting and cable services sector in the country is placed at the

Table-19

Table-19:OverallstatusoftheBroadcastingandCableServicessector

NumberofBroadcasterspermittedbyMIB 350

NumberofMultiSystemOperatorsregisteredwithMIB 1724

NumberofLocalCableoperators(estimated) 1,40,000

NumberofpayDTHOperators 4

NumberofsatelliteTVChannelsregisteredwithMIB 901

NumberofSDPayTVChannels 235

NumberofHDTVChannels 92

NumberofFMRadioStations(excludingAllIndiaRadio) 366

NumberofOperationalCommunityRadioStations 324

st(Ason31 March,2021)

39

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

268

206

304

216

333

251

352

290

403

324

Source:MinistryofI&B

LicenceIssuedStationsOperational

* As per new regulatory framework of Broadcasting and Cable TV Services, the total active

subscribers are counted including only those subscribers who are inactive/ temporarily

suspendedfornotmorethanlast90days.ThispointhasbeendulyclarifiedbytheAuthorityinth

the Press Release no. 86/ 2019 dated 8 October, 2019. (https://main.trai.gov.in

/sites/default/files/PR_No.86of2019.pdf)

PerformanceindicatorsoftheBroadcastingandCableservicesoverthefourquartersof2020-21

aregiveninTable-20:-

Broadcasting&CableServices Quarterending

June,2020 Sept.,2020 Dec.,2020 March,2021

TotalNumberofRegisteredChannelswith 909 911 907 901

I&BMinistry

NumberofSDPayChannels(Operational) 235 231 233 235

NumberofHDPayChannels(Operational) 97 96 93 92

TotalActiveDTHSubscribersbase* 70.58 70.70 70.99 69.57

(inMillion)

NumberofPrivateFMRadioStations 367 367 367 366

Table-20:PerformanceindicatorsoftheBroadcastingandCableservices

40

stListofpayTVchannelsason31 March,2021

Annexure-I

1 AETN18MediaPvtLimited 1 TheHistoryChannel SD

2 HistoryTV18HD HD

2 AsianetStar 3 VijayTV SD

Communications 4 VijaySuper SD

PrivateLimited 5 VijayHD HD

6 VijayMusic SD

7 Asianet SD

8 AsianetPlus SD

9 AsianetMovies SD

10 SuvarnaPlus SD

11 StarSuvarnaHD HD

12 AsianetHD HD

13 StarSuvarna SD

3 BanglaEntertainmentPrivateLimited 14 AATH SD

15 SONYMarathi SD

4 BBCGlobalNewsIndiaPrivateLimited 16 BBCWorldNews SD

17 Cbeebies SD

5 Bennett,Coleman&CompanyLimited 18 Zoom SD

19 RomedyNow SD

20 MN+ HD

21 MirrorNow SD

22 ETNOW SD

23 TimesNow SD

24 RomedyNowHD HD

25 MoviesNowHD HD

26 MNXHD HD

27 MNX SD

28 TimesNowWorld HD

6 CelebritiesManagementPvtLimited 29 TravelXPHD HD

30 TravelXPTamil SD

7 CSLInfoMediaPrivateLimited 31 JANTVPLUS SD

8 DirectNewPrivateLimited 32 NewsX SD

9 DiscoveryCommunicationsIndia 33 AnimalPlanet SD

34 DiscoveryChannel SD

35 DTAMIL SD

36 DiscoveryKidsChannel SD

37 DiscoveryScience SD

38 DiscoveryTurbo SD

39 InvestigationDiscovery SD

41

NameoftheBroadcaster NameoftheChannel

40 DiscoveryHD HD

41 AnimalPlanetHDWorld HD

42 TLCHD HD

43 InvestigationDiscoveryHD HD

44 TLC SD

45 EUROSPORTHD HD

(Earliername"DsportHD")

46 EUROSPORT(Earliername SD

"Dsport")

10 DisneyBroadcasting(India)Limited 47 DisneyJunior SD

48 UTVMovies SD

49 MarvelHQ SD

50 DisneyInternationalHD HD

51 HungamaTV SD

52 TheDisneyChannel SD

53 UTVHD HD

54 UTVBindass SD

55 UTVAction SD

11 EenaduTelevisoinPrivateLimited 56 ETV SD

57 ETVAndhraPradesh SD

58 ETV-Telangana SD

59 ETVCinema SD

60 ETVLife SD

61 ETVPlus SD

62 ETVAbhiruchi SD

63 ETVHD HD

64 ETVPlusHD HD

65 ETVCinemaHD HD

12 IN10MediaPrivateLimited 66 EPICTV SD

67 Filamchi SD

68 Gubbare SD

69 IsharaTV SD

13 InformationTVPrivateLimited 70 IndiaNews SD

14 FameMediaPrivateLimited 71 4tvNews SD

15 Greycells18MediaLimited 72 TopperTV SD

16 IBNLokmatNewsPrivateLtd 73 News18Lokmat SD

17 LivingEntertainmentEnterprises 74 ZEEZESTHD HD

PrivateLtd 75 LivingTravelz SD

18 LifestyleandMedia 76 GoodTimes SD

BroadcastingLimited

19 LexSportelVisionPrivateLimited 77 1SPORTS SD

20 MavisSatcomLimited 78 JMovies SD

42


79 JayaMax SD

80 JayaPlus SD

81 JayaTVHD HD

21 MSMWorldwideFactualMedia 82 SONYBBCEARTH SD

PrivateLimited 83 SONYBBCEARTHHD HD

22 MediaWorldwideLimited 84 TravelXP SD

23 NewDelhiTelevisionLimited 85 NDTV24*7 SD

86 NDTVIndia SD

87 NDTVProfit SD

24 NGCNetwork(India)PvtLimited 88 FoxLife SD

89 NationalGeographic SD

Channel(NGC)

90 FoxLifeHD HD

91 NatGeoWild SD

92 NationalGeographicHD HD

93 NatGeoWildHD HD

94 BabyTVHD HD

25 OdishaTelevisionLimited 95 Prarthana SD

96 Tarang SD

97 TarangMusic SD

98 Alankar SD

26 ParshavnathMediaPrivateLimited 99 DangalKannada SD

27 RajTelevisionNetworkLimited 100 RajDigitalPlus SD

101 RajMusix SD

102 RajNews SD

103 RajTV SD

28 SilverstarCommunicationsLimited 104 Mega24 SD

105 MegaMusiq SD

106 MegaTV SD

29 SonyPicturesNetworksIndia 107 SonyYAY! SD

PrivateLimited 108 SETMAX SD

109 SAB SD

110 SONYENTERTAINMENT SD

CHANNEL(SET)

111 PIX SD

112 SIX SD

113 MAX2 SD

114 PAL SD

115 SETHD HD

116 SIXHD HD

117 PIXHD HD

118 MAXHD HD

43


119 Ten2HD HD

120 Ten3HD HD

121 Ten2 SD

122 Ten1 SD

123 Ten3 SD

124 Ten1HD HD

125 SONYWah SD

126 SABHD HD

30 StarIndiaPrivateLimited 127 StarSports3 SD

128 StarSports1Tamil SD

129 StarSportsSelect2 SD

130 StarBharat SD

131 StarGold2(MoviesOK) SD

132 StarSports1Hindi SD

133 StarGold SD

134 StarJalsha SD

135 StarMovies SD

136 StarGoldSelect SD

137 StarPlus SD

138 StarPravah SD

139 StarSports1 SD

140 StarSports2 SD

141 StarWorld SD

142 JalshaMovies SD

143 StarSportsHD2 HD

144 StarSportsHD1 HD

145 StarBharatHD HD

146 StarGoldHD HD

147 StarMoviesHD HD

148 StarPlusHD HD

149 StarSports1HDHindi HD

150 StarSportsSelect1 SD

151 StarMoviesSelectHD HD

152 StarWorldHD HD

153 StarSportsFirst SD

154 MAAGold SD

155 MAAMovies SD

156 MAAMusic SD

157 MAATV SD

158 StarPravahHD HD

159 StarJalshaHD HD

160 JalshaMoviesHD HD

44


161 StarSportsSelectHD1 HD

162 StarSportsSelectHD2 HD

163 MAAHD HD

164 StarGoldSelectHD HD

165 MAAMoviesHD HD

166 StarWorldPrmiereHD HD

167 StarSport1Telugu SD

168 StarSport1Kannada SD

169 StarSports1Bangla SD

170 StarUtsav SD

171 StarSports1Marathi SD

172 StarUtsavMovies SD

31 SUNTVNetworkLimited 173 AdithyaTV SD

174 ChintuTV SD

175 ChuttiTV SD

176 GeminiComedy SD

177 GeminiLife SD

178 GeminiMovies SD

179 GeminiMusic SD

180 GeminiTV SD

181 KTV SD

182 SuryaMovies SD

183 KushiTV SD

184 SUNLife SD

185 SunMusic SD

186 SunNews SD

187 SuryaMusic SD

188 SUNTV SD

189 SuryaComedy SD

190 SuryaTV SD

191 UdayaComedy SD

192 UdayaMovies SD

193 UdayaMusic SD

194 UdayaTV SD

195 KochuTV SD

196 SunTVHD HD

197 KTVHD HD

198 SunMusicHD HD

199 GeminiTVHD HD

200 GeminiMusicHD HD

201 GeminiMoviesHD HD

202 SuryaTVHD HD

45


203 UdayaTVHD HD

32 SuryanshBroadcastingPvtLtd 204 Flowers SD

33 TurnerInternationalIndiaPvtLtd 205 CartoonNetwork SD

206 CNNInternational SD

207 POGO SD

208 CartoonNetworkHD+ HD

34 TV18BroadcastLimited 209 CNNNews18 SD

210 CNBCBajaar SD

211 CNBCTV18PrimeHD HD

212 CNBCAwaaz SD

213 News18TamilNadu SD

214 News18Kerala SD

215 News18Assam/NorthEast SD

216 News18India SD

217 CNBCTV18 SD

218 News18BiharJharkhand SD

219 News18MadhyaPradesh/ SD

Chattisgarh

220 News18Rajasthan SD

221 News18UttarPradesh/ SD

Uttaranchal

222 News18Urdu SD

223 News18Kannada SD

224 News18Bangla SD

225 News18Punjab/Haryana/ SD

HimanchalPradesh

226 News18Gujarati SD

227 News18Odia SD

35 TVTodayNetworkLimited 228 AajTak SD

229 IndiaToday SD

230 AAJTakHD HD

231 AajTakTez SD

36 Viacom18MediaPrivateLimited 232 Colors SD

233 ComedyCentral(HD) HD

234 MTV SD

235 NICK SD

236 NICKJR SD

237 SONIC SD

238 VH1(HDDistribution) HD

239 ColorsInfinityHD HD

240 ColorsInfinity SD

241 ColorsHD HD

242 NICKSHD+ HD

46


243 ColorsCineplex SD

244 MTVBeats SD

245 ColorsKannadaHD HD

246 ColorsMarathiHD HD

247 ColorsBanglaHD HD

248 ColorsSuper SD

249 ColorsBangla SD

250 ColorsGujarati SD

251 ColorsKannada SD

252 ColorsMarathi SD

253 ColorsOriya SD

254 MTVBeatsHD HD

255 ColorsTamil SD

256 ColorsCineplexHD HD

257 VH1 SD

258 ColorsTamilHD HD

259 MTVHD+ HD

260 ColorsRishtey SD

261 ColorsKannadaCinema SD

262 ColorsGujaratiCinema SD

263 ComedyCentral SD

264 RishteyCineplex SD

265 ColorsBanglaCinema SD

7 ZeeAkaashNewsPrivateLimited 266 Zee24Ghanta SD

38 ZeeEntertainmentEnterprisesLtd 267 ZeeBollywood SD

268 ZeeAction SD

269 ZeeBanglaCinema SD

270 ZeeCafeHD HD

271 ZeeCafe SD

272 ZeeCinema SD

273 ZeeTalkies SD

274 ZeeTV SD

275 Zing SD

276 &Picture SD

277 ZeeBangla SD

278 ZeeMarathi SD

279 ZeeZest SD

280 ZeeTVHD HD

281 ZeeCinemaHD HD

282 &TV SD

283 &TVHD HD

284 ZeeKannada SD

285 ZeeTelugu SD

47


286 &PicturesHD HD

287 ZeeCinemalu SD

288 ZeeYuva SD

289 ZeeMarathiHD HD

290 &PriveHD HD

291 ZeeBanglaHD HD

292 ZeeTamilHD HD

293 ZeeCinemaluHD HD

294 ZeeTeluguHD HD

295 ZeeTamil SD

296 ZeeKannadaHD HD

297 ZeeAnmolCinema SD

298 &FlixHD HD

299 &Flix SD

300 ZeeKeralamHD HD

301 ZeeKeralam SD

302 ZeeVajwa SD

303 ZeeAnmol SD

304 BigMagic SD

305 BigGanga SD

306 ZeeClassic SD

307 &XploreHD HD

308 ZEESarthak SD

309 ZeeTalkiesHD HD

310 ZeePunjabi SD

311 ZeeThirai SD

312 ZeePicchar SD

313 ZeeBiskope SD

39 ZeeMediaCorporationLimited 314 Zee24Taas SD

315 ZeeOdisha SD

316 ZeeBusiness SD

317 ZeePunjabHaryanaHimachal SD

318 ZeeMadhyaPradeshChattisgarh SD

319 ZeeSalaam SD

320 Zee24Kalak SD

321 WION SD

322 ZeeUttarPradeshUttrakhand SD

323 ZeeHindustan SD

324 ZeeBiharJharkhand SD

325 ZeeNews SD

326 ZeeRajasthanNews SD

40 ZoomEntertainmentNetworkLtd 327 MoviesNow SD

48


Annexure-II

ListofPayDTHOperators

S.No DTHOperator

1. M/s.TataSkyLtd

2. M/sDishTVIndiaLtd

3. M/sSUNDirectTVPrivateLtd

4. M/sBhartiTelemediaLtd.

49

PART-II

51

REVIEWOFWORKINGAND

OPERATIONOFTHETELECOM

REGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIA

REVIEWOFWORKINGANDOPERATIONOFTHETELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIA

53

2.1 Part-IoftheReportgaveanoverviewofthegeneralenvironmentprevailingintheTelecom

Sector,TVbroadcastingandradioserviceswithahighlightonpoliciesandprogrammesofthe

Governmentduring2020-21. InlinewiththemandategivenundertheTRAIAct,TRAIhas

playedacatalyticroleinthedevelopmentofthetelecom,broadcastingandcableservices.

TRAI’s endeavour is to provide a fair and transparent environment that encourages

competitionandpromotesalevel-playingfieldforallserviceproviderswhileprotectingthe

interestofconsumers.

2.2 UnderSection36oftheTRAIAct1997,theAuthoritymay,bynotification,makeregulations

consistentwiththisActandtherulesmadethereundertocarryoutthepurposesofthisAct.

Further,UnderSection39oftheTRAIAct1997.Ifanydifficultyarisesingivingeffecttothe

provisionsofthisAct,theCentralGovernmentmay,byorder,publishedintheOfficialGazette,

make such provisions not insistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to be

necessaryforremovingthisdifficulty.

2.3 To formulate recommendationsand suggestpolicy initiatives,TRAI interactswithvarious

stakeholders such as the service providers, industry organizations, Consumer Advocacy

Groups(CAGs)/ConsumerOrganizationsandotherexpertsinthefield. Ithasdevelopeda

process,whichallowsallthestakeholdersandthegeneralpublictoparticipateindiscussions

aboutpolicyformulationbyofferingtheirviewswheneversoughtfor. Thisprocessinvolves

floatingofaconsultationpaperhighlightingtheissuesinvolvedandsolicitingtheviewsofthe

stakeholders on the issues, holding Open House Discussion (OHD)Meetings arranged in

differentcitiesinthecountry,invitingwrittencommentsone-mailandthroughletters,and

having interactive sessions with stakeholders and experts to obtain different views and

clarifications on policy issues. The Regulations / Orders issued by TRAI also contain an

ExplanatoryMemorandumwhichexplainsthebasisonwhichthedecisionsaretaken.The

participativeandexplanatoryprocessadoptedbyTRAIhasreceivedwideacclaim.

2.4 TRAIalsointeractswiththeconsumerorganizations/Non-GovernmentOrganizations(NGO)

inthetelecomandbroadcastingsectorstoobtaintheirviews.Ithasasystemofregistering

consumerorganizations/NGOsconnectedwithtelecomservicesandinteractwiththemat

regular intervals. TRAI is constantly adopting measures for strengthening the consumer

organizations. It also organizes Seminars and Workshops with the participation of

International Experts on various technical issues and invites stakeholders, consumer

organizationsandotherresearchinstitutestoattendtheseevents.

2.5 Under Section 11 (1) (a) of the TRAI Act 1997, the Authority is required to make

recommendations either suomoto or on a request from the licensor, i.e., Department of

Telecommunications, Ministry of Telecommunications or Ministry of Information &

BroadcastinginthecaseofBroadcastingandCableServices.RecommendationsgivenbyTRAI

toGovernmentduring2020-21aregivenbelow.

54

Sl.No. ListofRecommendations&BackReferencesandResponses

nd1 Recommendationsdated22 September,2020on“TrafficManagementPractices(TMPs)

andMulti-StakeholderBodyforNetNeutrality.”

th2 Recommendationsdated14 September,2020on“CloudServices.”

th3 Recommendationsdated14 September,2020on“RegulatoryFrameworkforOver-The-Top

(OTT)CommunicationServices”(OTT)CommunicationServices.

th4 Recommendationsdated17 August,2020on“MethodologyofapplyingSpectrumUsage

Charges(SUC)undertheweightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment,incasesofSpectrum

Sharing.”

th5 Recommendationsdated28 July,2020on“ProvisionofCellularBackhaulConnectivityvia

SatelliteThroughVSATUnderCommercialVSATCUGServiceAuthorization.”

th6 Recommendationsdated29 May,2020on“EnsuringAdequateNumberingResourcesfor

FixedLineandMobileServices.”

nd7 Recommendationsdated22 April,2020on“NetworkTestingBeforeCommercialLaunchof

ServicesforWirelineAccessServices.”

th th8 TRAI’sresponsedated15 April,2021toDoT’sback-referencedated12 March,2021onth

TRAIRecommendationsdated17 April,2015on“DeliveringBroadbandQuickly:Whatdo

weneedtodo?”

th9 TRAI’s response dated 11 January, 2021 to the clarification sought by DoT on

Recommendationson“EnhancementofScopeofInfrastructureProvidersCategory-I(IP-I)th

Registration”dated13 March,2020.

th10 TRAI’sresponsedated28 September,2020toDoT’sback-referenceonRecommendations

on“ReviewoftermsandconditionsforregistrationofOtherServiceProviders(OSPs)”datedst21 October,2019.

th th11 TRAI’sresponsedated5 June,2020toDoT’sback-referencedated29 May,2020forre-

thconsideration of TRAI Recommendations dated 9 March, 2017 on “Proliferation of

BroadbandthroughPublicWi-FiNetworks.”

th th12 TRAI'sResponsedated10 April,2020toDoTbackreferencedated12 March,2020on

Recommendationson“CaptiveVSATCUGPolicyIssues.”

TELECOMSECTOR

55

RECOMMENDATIONS&RESPONSESTOBACKREFERENCES

ndl Recommendations dated 22 September, 2020 on “Traffic Management Practices

(TMPs)andMulti-StakeholderBodyforNetNeutrality”

st th2.5.1 DoTvideletterNo.12-30/NT/2015/0'IT(Pt)dated31 July,2018and17 June,2019sought

additional recommendations on the Traffic Management Practices (TMPs) and Multi-

Stakeholder Body i.e. "the necessary Traffic Management Practices (TMPs), and the

composition, functions, role, and responsibilities of the multi-stakeholder body for

considerationofDoT".

nd Pursuanttothisreference,TRAIissuedaconsultationpaperon2 January,2020andraised

variousissuesforcommentsandcountercommentsfromstakeholders.Subsequently,anOpenthHouseDiscussions(OHD)washeldon24 June,2020inDelhi.

Based on the comments received and further analysis, the Authority finalized its

recommendationon"TrafficManagementPractices(TMPs)andMultiStakeholderBodyfor

NetNeutrality"andsentittoSecretary,DoT,alongwithAuthority’sletterNo.305-14/2014-ndQoS(Pt.-I)dated22 September,2020foritsconsideration.

th Anon-lineOpenHouseDiscussionheldon24 June,2020onConsultationPaperon

‘TrafficManagementPractices(TMPs)andMulti-StakeholderBodyforNetNeutrality’

thl Recommendationsdated14 September,2020on“CloudServices”

th th2.5.2 DoTvidelettersNo.4-4/CloudServices/2017-NTdated27 September,2018and6 May,

2019 sought additional recommendations on "the terms and conditions of registration of

Industrybody,eligibility,entryfee,theperiodofregistration,andgovernancestructure,etc.

rd Pursuanttothisreference,TRAIissuedaconsultationpaperon23 October,2019andraised

variousissuesforcommentsandcountercommentsfromstakeholders.Subsequently,anOHDth

washeldinDelhion28 February,2020.

Based on the comments received and further analysis, the Authority finalized its

recommendationson"CloudServices"andsentittoSecretary,DoT,alongwithAuthority’sthletterNo.305-03/2015-QoSdated14 September,2020foritsconsideration.

56

thl Recommendationsdated14 September,2020on“RegulatoryFrameworkforOver-The-

Top(OTT)CommunicationServices

rd2.5.3 DoT vide letter No. 12-30/NT/2015/OTT(Pt.) dated 3 March, 2016 sought the

recommendations of TRAI on net neutrality including trafficmanagement and economic,

securityandprivacyaspectsofservices,apartfromotherrelevantstandpointsascoveredinth

theconsultationpaperdated27 March,2015.

Consideringthecomplexityofissues,referredtoinDoT'sletter,andotherinterrelatedissues,

theAuthoritydecidedtodealwithspecificissuesthroughdistinctconsultationprocesses.The

Authorityhasalreadyissuedrecommendationsorregulationspertainingto“Prohibitionof

DiscriminatoryTariffsforDataServices”,“RegulatoryframeworkforInternetTelephony”,“Net

Neutrality”and“Privacy,SecurityandownershipofDataintheTelecomSector”.

th TRAIissuedaconsultationpaperon12 November,2018ontheresidualissuei.eRegulatory

framework forOver-The-Top (OTT)CommunicationServicesand raisedvarious issues for

commentsandcountercommentsfromstakeholders.Subsequently,twoOHD’swereheldoneth th

atBangaloreon24 April,2019andanotheroneatDelhion20 May,2019.

Based on the comments received and further analysis, the Authority has finalized its

recommendations on "Regulatory Framework for Over-The-Top (OTT) Communication

Services"andsent ittoSecretary,DoT,alongwithAuthority’s letterNo.310-05/2015-QoSth

dated14 September,2020foritsconsideration.

thl Recommendations dated 17 August, 2020 on “Methodology of applying Spectrum

UsageCharges(SUC)undertheweightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment,incasesof

SpectrumSharing”

th2.5.4 DoTvideitsletterdated15 January,2020,interalia,informedthattheexistingguidelinesforthSharingofAccessSpectrumbyAccessServiceProvidersissuedbyDoTon24 September,2015

provide that the SpectrumUsage Charge (SUC) rate of each of the licensees post sharing

increasesby0.5%ofAdjustedGrossRevenue(AGR).DoTalsoinformedthatithasreceived

representations requesting that the incremental SUC rate of 0.5%post sharing shouldbe

appliedonlytotheparticularspectrumbandwhichhasbeenallowedtobesharedbetween

twolicensees,andnotontheentirespectrumheldbythelicensees;sincesharingispermitted

inaparticularband.Inthisbackground,DoTrequestedTRAItofurnishitsrecommendations

on(i)whethertheincremental0.5%inSUCrateincasesofsharingofspectrumshouldbe

appliedonlyonthespecificbandinwhichsharingistakingplace;orontheoverallWeighted

Average Rate of SUC, which has been derived from all bands and (ii) any other

recommendationsdeemedfitforthepurpose,undertheTRAIAct,1997,asamended.

nd Inthisregard,aConsultationPaperwasissuedon22 April,2020on“Methodologyofapplying

SpectrumUsageCharges(SUC)undertheweightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment, in

casesofSpectrumSharing”providingthebackgroundinformationandseekinginputsofthe

stakeholders.Commentsfromninestakeholderswerereceived. AnOpenHouseDiscussionth(OHD)wasconductedon9 July,2020throughvideoconference.

th Basedonthecomments/inputsreceivedfromthestakeholdersandonitsownanalysis,on17

August,2020,TRAIfinalizeditsRecommendationson“MethodologyofapplyingSpectrum

Usage Charges (SUC) under theweighted averagemethod of SUC assessment, in cases of

57

SpectrumSharing”andsenttotheGovernment.ThesalientfeaturesoftheRecommendations

are:

(i) It isclarifiedthatasper theexistingspectrum-sharingguidelines,an incrementof

0.5%onSUCrate shouldapplyon thespectrumholding in specificband inwhich

sharing is taking place, and not on the entire spectrumholding (all bands) of the

Licensee.

(ii) ToprovideflexibilitytotheTSPstomanagetheirspectrumonneedandcommercial

basis,suitableexitclauseforintimationofterminationofanexistingspectrum-sharing

arrangement by the involved TSPs should be included in the spectrum sharing

guidelines.

TherecommendationshavebeenplacedonTRAI’swebsitewww.trai.gov.in.

thl Recommendationsdated28 July,2020on“ProvisionofCellularBackhaulConnectivity

viaSatelliteThroughVSATUnderCommercialVSATCUGServiceAuthorization”

2.5.5 Satellitesprovidetelecommunicationandbroadcastingservices,coveringlargegeographical

areas.VerySmallApertureTerminal(VSAT)isoneofthesatellitecommunicationtechnologies

whichisveryusefulforremoteandinaccessiblelocationssuchasruralareas,ships,coastal

regions,hills,etc.wherethereislimitedornoterrestrialconnectivity.Themainadvantagesof

VSAT technology are its rapid deployment with minimum training, scalability, lower

operational costs and reliability of communication, in remote locations even in adverse

situations.

TheNationalDigitalCommunicationsPolicy(NDCP),2018,releasedbytheGovernmentof

India, has inter-alia envisaged the various steps such as revising licensing and regulatory

conditions, simplifying compliance requirements and expanding the scope of permissible

servicesfortheeffectiveutilisationofHighThroughputSatellitesystemthroughappropriate

licensingmechanism.

th Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through its letter dated 13 August, 2019

requested TRAI to furnish recommendations under the terms of the Telecom Regulatory

Authority of India Act, 1997 (as amended) by TRAl Amendment Act, 2000 on terms and

conditionsofUnifiedLicenseandUnifiedLicenseVNOagreementforpermittingbackhaul

linksformobilenetworkviasatellitethroughVSAT.

th Based on the reference received from DoT, the Authority on 29 January, 2020 issued

ConsultationPaper(CP)on‘ProvisionofCellularbackhaulconnectivityviaSatellitethrough

VSAT under Commercial VSAT CUG Service Authorization’, seeking comments of the

stakeholders.IntheCP,apartfromtheissuesreferredtobyDoT,otherissuessuchassharingof

infrastructurebyalicenseeforprovisioningofotherservicesauthorizedunderthelicense,

migrationfromformula-basedspectrumcharging(forsatellite-basedservices)toAGR-based

SUCandassociatedmattersofaccountingseparationwerealsoraisedforcommentsofthe

stakeholders.

Writtencommentsandcounter-commentsontheCPwereinvitedfromthestakeholders.The

Authority received comments from 15 stakeholderswhereas no counter-commentswere

58

received.ThesecommentsareavailableonTRAI'swebsite.AnOpenHouseDiscussion(OHD)th

wasconductedthroughvideoconferencingon20 May,2020.

Basedonthecommentsreceivedduringtheconsultationprocessanditsownanalysis,TRAI

releaseditsRecommendationson“ProvisionofCellularbackhaulconnectivityvia.Satelliteth

throughVSATunderCommercialVSATCUGServiceAuthorization”on28 July,2020. The

salientfeaturesoftheserecommendationsare:-

(a) TheCommercialVSATCUGServiceprovidershouldbepermittedtoprovidebackhaul

connectivityforcellularmobileservicesthroughsatelliteusingVSATtotheAccess

Serviceproviders.Theymayalsobepermittedtoprovidebackhaulconnectivityusing

VSATtoAccessServiceProvidersforestablishingWi-Fihotspots.

(b) Enablingprovisionsshouldbemade instand-aloneCommercialVSATCUGService

license, Unified License, and Unified License (VNO) for provision of backhaul

connectivitybyCommercialVSATCUGServiceprovider.

(c) Sharing of VSAT Hub for the purpose of providing authorized services should be

allowedtotheentityhavinglicense/authorizationforbothCommercialVSATCUGand

NLDservices.

(d) Sharingof active andpassive infrastructureownedby a licenseeunder anyof the

serviceauthorizationsshouldbepermittedforprovidingotherservicesauthorizedto

licenseeunderotherauthorizationsorstand-alonelicenses.

(e) Spectrum charging for VSAT services in NLD license/ authorization should be

prescribedasapercentageofAGR.Replacingtheexistingformula-basedmechanism,

SpectrumusagechargesforusingsatellitefrequenciesundertheNLDservicelicense/

authorization shouldbeprescribed as 1%ofAGRexcluding the revenue from the

licensedservicesotherthansatellite-basedservices.

(f) Thereshouldnotbeanybarriersonthecarrierspeedsand, therefore,higherdata

rates, which are now possible in satellite communications with the use of latest

technologies,shouldbepermittedwithoutanyrestrictions.

TheRecommendationson“ProvisionofCellularbackhaulconnectivityvia.Satellitethrough

VSATunderCommercialVSATCUGServiceAuthorization”havebeenplacedonTRAI'swebsite

www.trai.gov.in.

thl Recommendationsdated29 May,2020on“EnsuringAdequateNumberingResources

forFixedLineandMobileServices”

2.5.6 AreferencewasreceivedfromtheDoTvideitsletterNo.20-281/2010-AS-IVol.XII(pt.)datedth8 May, 2019,wherein itwas requested to furnish recommendations on the strategies of

NationalDigitalCommunicationsPolicy2018whichinteraliaincludes‘Ensuringadequate

numbering resources, by developing a unified numbering plan for fixed line and mobile

services’.

th AConsultationPaperwasissuedon20 September,2019on‘DevelopingaUnifiedNumbering

Plan for Fixed Line and Mobile Services’ seeking comments and counter-comment from

59

thstakeholders.AnOpenHouseDiscussion(OHD)wasalsoheldon16 January,2020atTRAI,

NewDelhi.

Basedonthecomments/inputsreceivedfromthestakeholders,discussionheldduringOHD

and on its own analysis, TRAI finalized its Recommendations on ‘Ensuring Adequate

NumberingResourcesforFixedLineandMobileServices’andsenttoSecretary,DoTalongth

with TRAI’s letter No. 413-2/2019-NSL-I dated 29 May, 2020 for its consideration. The

recommendationsareavailableonTRAI’swebsitewww.trai.gov.in.

ndl Recommendations dated 22 April, 2020 on “Network Testing Before Commercial

LaunchofServicesforWirelineAccessServices”

th2.5.7 A reference was received from DoT vide its letter dated 16 July, 2019 wherein it was

communicated that the Government has accepted TRAI’s recommendations on ‘NetworkthTestingBeforeLaunchofCommercialServices’dated04 December,2017andhasfurther

requestedtoprovidesimilarrecommendationsonNetworkTestingbeforecommerciallaunch

ofWirelineAccess Services under the provisions of clause 11(1)(a) of TRAIAct, 1997 as

amendedbyTRAIAmendmentAct,2000.

Inaccordancewiththereferencereceived fromDoTregardingWirelineAccessServices,a

consultationprocesswasinitiatedtoframerecommendationstodecidethenormsofnetwork

testingbeforecommerciallaunchofWirelineAccessService.However,asmostoftheissues

raisedandexaminedduringtheconsultationprocessforframingtherecommendationsonth‘NetworkTestingBeforeLaunchofCommercialServices’dated04 December,2017,were

equally applicable for Wireline Access Services, the Authority issued detailed draft

recommendationson‘NetworkTestingBeforeCommercialLaunchofServicesforWirelinest

Access Services’ on 31 December, 2019 to seek comments and counter-comments from

stakeholders.

Basedonthecomments/inputsreceivedfromthestakeholdersandonitsownanalysis,TRAI

finalizeditsRecommendationson‘NetworkTestingBeforeCommercialLaunchofServicesfor

WirelineAccessServices’andsenttoSecretaryDoTvideletterNo.411-01/2019-NSL-Idatednd22 April,2020foritsconsideration.AcopyoftherecommendationsisavailableonTRAI’s

websitewww.trai.gov.in.

th thl TRAIresponsedated15 April,2021toDoT’sback-referencedated12 March,2021on

thTRAIRecommendationsdated17 April,2015on“DeliveringBroadbandQuickly:What

doweneedtodo?”

th2.5.8 TheAuthorityon17 April,2015issuedRecommendationson"DeliveringBroadbandQuickly:

Whatdoweneedtodo".TheserecommendationscoveredawiderangeoftopicslikeSpectrum

Licensing, Right ofWay (RoW), NOFN, Towers, Fixed Line Broadband, Cable TV, Satellite,

hosting of contents in India, License fee on ISPs, Infrastructure sharing and promotingth

adoptionofBroadband. DoTsentaReferencebackdated12 March,2021,afteragapof

almostsixyears,relatedtooneoftheRecommendationsseekingexemptionoflicensefeeon

revenues earned on fixed line Broadband for a period of 5 years to promote fixed linethbroadband.TheAuthorityon15 April,2021issueditsresponsetotheReferenceback.Inits

response,theAuthoritymentionedthatithasbeendecidedtoissueafreshconsultationpaper

60

oncertainnewissuesraisedintheDoT'sreferencebacksuchaslikelihoodofmisappropriation

ofrevenuesandpromotingfixedlineBroadbandbyprovingDirectBenefitTransfer(DBT).

thl TRAI’s response dated 11 January, 2021 to the clarification sought by DoT on

Recommendationson“EnhancementofScopeofInfrastructureProvidersCategory-Ith

(IP-I)Registration”dated13 March,2020

th2.5.9 TRAIon16 August,2019suo-motuissuedtheConsultationPaperon“ReviewofScopeof

Infrastructure Providers Category-I (IP-I) Registration’ seeking comments and counter-th

commentsfromstakeholders.AnOpenHouseDiscussionwasheldon14 November,2019.

Basedonthecomments/inputsreceivedfromthestakeholders,discussionheldduringthe

OHDandonitsownanalysis,TRAIfinalizeditsRecommendationson‘EnhancementofScope

of InfrastructureProvidersCategory-I (IP-I)Registration’andsent toSecretary(Telecom),th

DOTvideletterNo.413-1/2019-NSL-Idatedon13 March,2020forconsideration.

DepartmentofTelecommunications(DoT)videitsletterNo.10-12/2012-CS-III(Pt.II)/236th

dated18 November,2020informedthatTRAIRecommendationson“EnhancementofScopeth

ofInfrastructureProvidersCategory-I(IP-I)Registration”dated13 March,2020hasbeen

consideredandsomeclarificationsweresoughtfromTRAI.

TRAI after due deliberations, sent its response to Secretary, DoT vide letter No. R-th

16/1/(1)/2021-NSL-Idated11 January,2021.

t hl TRAI response dated 28 September, 2020 to DoT’s back-reference on

Recommendationson“ReviewoftermsandconditionsforregistrationofOtherServicest

Providers(OSPs)”dated21 October,2019

th2.5.10 DoTvide its letterNo.18-5/2015-CS-I (pt.)dated26 September,2020 informed that the

Recommendations on “Review of Terms and Conditions for registration of Other ServicestProviders(OSPs)”dated21 October,2019havebeenexaminedbyDoT.Thefollowingissues

werereferredbackunderSection11of theTRAIAct,1997andwasrequestedtosendits

reconsideredview:-

l CategorizationofOSPbasedonVoiceorData

l BankGuarantee,

l CCSP/HCCSPs

l NetworkDiagram

l ForeignPABXforInternationalOSPs

l Penalty

l WorkfromHome

l InterconnectionofDataandVoicepath

TRAI,afterduedeliberations,finalizeditsresponseandsenttoSecretary,DoTvideletterNo.th413-3/2018-NSL-Idated28 September,2020.

61

th thl Authority’sresponsedated5 June,2020toDoT’sback-referencedated29 May,2020

thforre-considerationofTRAIRecommendationsdated9 March,2017on“Proliferation

ofBroadbandthroughPublicWi-FiNetworks”

th2.5.11 The Authority issued recommendations dated 9 March, 2017 to the Government on

“Proliferation of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Networks”. Through these

recommendations,an‘unbundledanddistributedmodel’fordeliveryofbroadbandservicesththroughpublicWi-FiNetworkswasrecommended.Abackreferencedated29 May,2020was

receivedfromDoTafteralapseofthreeyearsfromthedateofrecommendationsofTRAI.DoT’s

backreference largelycentersaroundthe ideaof loadingthesmallerentitiesoftheWANI

architecture with licensing and regulatory obligations, as for the other integrated

players/licensees.TheAuthorityfinalizeditsresponsetothebackreferenceandsentthesameth

toDoTon5 June,2020.Initsresponse,theAuthoritypointedout,amongmanyotherthings,

thatmanyhotels, restaurants, airports, andmalls are offeringWi-Fi serviceswithout any

specific licensing/registration. In fact, many such places in India follow MAC ID based

authentication,inviolationofeachtimeauthenticationusingOTPrequiredaspertheexisting

instructions, and even then, no spoofing or security issue has come to the notice of the

Authority.

th thl TRAI'sResponsedated10 April,2020toDoTbackreferencedated12 March,2020on

Recommendationson“CaptiveVSATCUGPolicyIssues”

th2.5.12 TheAuthorityhadsentitsrecommendationson“CaptiveVSATCUGPolicyIssues”on18 July,th

2017totheDepartmentofTelecommunications(DoT).DoTvideitsletterdated17 March

2016, referred back some of the recommendations for reconsidered opinion/

recommendations.

After considering the viewsgivenby theDoT, theAuthority furnished its response to theth

Government on10 April, 2020.The salient recommendations after considering theback

referenceofDoT,areasbelow:

(i) The amount of initial Financial Bank Guarantee (FBG),which is submitted by the

applicantcompanypriortosigningofCaptiveVSATCUGlicense,shouldbereduced

from` 30Lakhsto` 15Lakhs.Forsubsequentyears,itshouldbeequivalenttothe

estimatedsumpayableequivalenttothelicensefeefortwoquarters.

(ii) Theroyaltychargesshouldbelimitedtothechargesonlyfortheassignedfrequencies.

There is no justification for charging additional 25% amount as reuse factor for

numberofVSATsmorethanthenumberofcarriers.

(iii) It has been recommended to create a Single Window procedure to cater to the

requirements of applicant/licensee companies for the entire processes that are

involvedinobtaininglicense,approvals/clearancesrelatedtospacesegment,ground

segment,etc.inrespectofCaptiveVSATCUGLicense.

ThedetailedresponseisavailableatTRAIwebsite.

62

BROADCASTINGSECTOR

ListofRecommendationsSl.No.

nd1 Recommendations dated 2 February, 2021 on the MIB’s back references on TRAI'sth

Recommendationsdated19 November,2014titled“RegulatoryFrameworkforPlatform

Services”andTRAI'sRecommendationstitled“PlatformServicesofferedbyDTHOperators”th

dated13 November,2019.”

th2 Recommendationsdated28 April,2020on“ReviewofTelevisionAudienceMeasurement

andRatingSysteminIndia.”

th3 Recommendations dated 10 April, 2020 on “Reserve Price for Auction of FM Radio

channels.”

th4 Recommendationsdated10 April,2020on“InteroperabilityofSet-TopBox.”

RECOMMENDATIONS

ndl Recommendationsdated2 February,2021on theMIB’sbackreferencesonTRAI's

thRecommendations dated 19 November, 2014 titled “Regulatory Framework for

PlatformServices”andTRAI'sRecommendationstitled“PlatformServicesofferedbythDTHOperators”dated13 November,2019”

nd2.5.13 On2 February,2021,TRAI issued itsRecommendationson theMIB’sbackreferenceson

thTRAI's Recommendations dated 19 November, 2014 titled “Regulatory Framework for

PlatformServices”andTRAI'sRecommendations titled“PlatformServicesofferedbyDTHthOperators”dated13 November,2019”.Thesalientfeaturesoftherecommendationswere:-

(i) TRAIhasnoobjectiontoacceptMinistry'sviewthatanybodyregisteredasaDPO,either

withMIBorwithpostoffice,shallbeeligibletocarryPlatformServices(PS)channels,

provided thatMinistryof InformationandBroadcasting is able to specify compliance

structure to ensure that those providing platform services make full disclosure on

ownership status and comply to the Programme and Advertising codes. Further, the

Authority recommends that any person/ entity desirous of providing local news and

currentaffairsasPS,or isalreadyprovidingsuchservices,mustbe incorporatedasa

companyundertheIndianCompaniesAct,2013.

(ii) A maximum of 15 PS channels may be offered by MSOs, IPTV Operators and HITS

operators.

(iii)TRAIagreedwiththesuggestiongivenbyMIBthatMIBwillobtainsecurityclearanceofall

MSOs/LCOs,whowishtoofferPSandwerenotMHAsecurityclearedat thetimeof

registration,whiletheyruntheirPS.However,ifatanytimebeforetheMIBobtainsthe

securityclearance,itisdeterminedthattheprogrammingserviceofferedonPSandwhich

hasbeenregisteredontheonlinesystemisinimicaltoIndia'snationalsecurityortothe

publicinterest,MIBmayrequiretheMSO/LCOtowithdrawfromdistributionofthePS

Channel or the programming service and / or cancel the registration. Further TRAI

recommendedthatMIBmayestablishaproceduretoreviewthesecurityclearanceofall

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DPOs (who are offering PS) including those wherever there is any change in their

ownership/control.MIBmayobtainrequisiteundertakingfromtheDPOsatthetimeof

grantingpermissionforofferingPS.

(iv)AuthorityagreeswiththeviewsofMIB.ThedefinitionofPlatformServices(PS)shallbe:

a. "Platform services (PS) are programs transmittedbyDistributionPlatformOperators

(DPOs)exclusivelytotheirownsubscribersanddoesnotincludeDoordarshanchannels

and registered TV channels. PS shall not include foreign TV channels that are not

registeredinIndia."

b. RegisteredTVchannelsortelevisionchannelsmeansachannel,whichhasbeengranted

downlinkingpermissionbytheCentralGovernmentunderthepolicyguidelinesissuedor

amendedbyitfromtimetotimeandreferencetotheterm'channel'shallbeconstructedas

areferenceto'televisionchannel'.

(v) TheAuthorityagreeswiththeviewsofMIB.TheAuthorityrecommendedthat:

a. TheprogrammetransmittedbytheDTHoperator/MSOs/IPTV/HITSoperatorasa

platformserviceshallbeexclusiveandthesameshallnotbepermittedtobeshared

directlyorindirectlywithanyotherDistributionPlatformOperator(DPO).

b. Programme transmitted by the DTH operator / MSOs/ IPTV/ HITS operator as a

platformserviceshallnotdirectlyorindirectlyincludeanyregisteredTVchannelor

DoordarshanchannelorforeignTVchannel.Time-shiftfeedofregisteredTVchannels

(suchas+1services)shallnotbeallowedasaplatformservice.

c. DTHoperator/MSOs/IPTV/HITSoperatorshallensureandprovideanundertaking

to the Ministry in the format prescribed by the Ministry that the programme

transmittedisexclusivetotheirplatformandnotshareddirectlyorindirectlywithany

otherDPO.

d. IncasethesameprogrammeisfoundavailableonthePSofanyotherDPO,MIB/TRAI

mayissuedirectiontoimmediatelystopthetransmissionofsuchprogramme.MIBalso

reservestheright forcancellationofregistrationofsuchPSof theDTHoperator/

MSOs/IPTV/HITSoperator.

(vi)The Authority agreeswith the views ofMIB. The DTH operator/MSOs/ IPTV/ HITS

operator shall provide an option of activation/ deactivation of platform services as

prescribedintheorders/directions/regulationsissuedbyTRAIfromtime-to-time.

(vii)TheAuthorityagreeswiththeviewsofMIB.FortheDTHoperator/MSOs/IPTV/HITS

operator:

a. The platform services channels shall be categorized under the genre 'Platform

Services' in the Electronic Programmable Guide (EPG) subject to orders/

directions/regulationsissuedbyTRAIfromtime-to-time.

b. Therespectivemaximumretailprice(MRP)oftheplatformserviceshallbedisplayed

in theEPGagainst eachplatformservice subject toorders/directions/regulations

issuedbyTRAIfromtime-to-time.

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c. Aprovisionforputtingacaptionas'PlatformServices'mayberequiredtodistinguish

theplatformservicesfromthelinearchannels.Governmentmaydecidethecaptionina

sizewhichisvisuallyreadablebytheconsumers.

thl Recommendations dated 28 April, 2020 on “Review of Television Audience

MeasurementandRatingSysteminIndia”

th2.5.14 On28 April,2020,TRAIreleasedtheRecommendationson“ReviewofTelevisionAudience

MeasurementandRatingSysteminIndia”.Thesalientfeaturesoftherecommendationswere:-

(i) StructuralreformsarerequiredinBARCtomitigatethepotentialriskofconflictof

interest, improve credibility, and bring transparency, and instill confidence of all

stakeholdersintheTRPmeasurementsystem.

(ii) ThecompositionofBARCIndiashouldbechangedaspartoftheproposedstructural

reforms.TheBoardshouldhaveatleastfiftypercentindependentmembers,which

shouldincludeonememberasameasurementtechnologyexpert,onestatisticianof

national repute from among the top institution(s) of the country and two

representativesfromtheGovernment/Regulator.

(iii) RestructuredBoardofBARCIndiashouldprovideforequalrepresentationofthethree

constituentIndustryAssociations,namely,AAAI,ISAandIBFandwithequalvoting

rightsirrespectiveoftheirproportionofequityholding.Tenureofthemembersofthe

boardshallbefortwoyears.

(iv) ActiveparticipationofrepresentativesoftheAdvertisersandtheadvertisingagency

willbringmoreaccuracy,transparency,credibility,andneutralityinthesystem,dueto

theirinherentneedofadvertiserstoreachviewersaccurately.

(v) The constituent Industry Associations shall be entitled to nominate their

representativestotheboardmembershipsubjecttotheconditionthatacoolingperiod

of4yearsshallbeapplicablebetweentwoconsecutivetenures,foranysuchnominee

member.

(vi) TenureoftheChairmanoftheBoardshouldnotbemorethantwoyears.Chairmanship

oftheBoardshallberotatedamongtheconstituentindustryassociationsineverytwo

years.

(vii) Numberofmembersinthetechnicalcommitteeshouldbeincreasedto5withaddition

oftwoexternaltechnicalexperts.

(viii) AnOversightCommitteeshouldbeformedtoguideBARCIndiaintheareasofresearch,

designandanalysis,constantlyimprovingtheratingsystem.TheOversightCommittee

shall be broad based with representation from the National Council of Applied

EconomicResearch,IIM,IIT,mediaresearchexpertanddemographyexpert,nominee

fromtheMinistryofInformationBroadcasting,andTRAI.TheCommitteeshouldalso

beresponsiblefornomination/appointmentofindependentmembersoftheBoardas

wellastogivepolicydirectiontoBARCIndia,ifitissorequired.

(ix) Tocreatecredibleandaccuratecollectionofdata,multipledatacollectionagencies

need tobe encouraged. Competition andmultiple agencies fordata collection and

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processing would bring in new technologies, new research methodologies, new

methodsinanalysis,newandbetterwaystoensurebetterdataquality.

(x) BARCshouldbeatanarm’slengthfromitsownsubsidiary,MeteorologyDataPvtLtd.,

whichisthesoledatacollectingagencyforBARC,asofnow;sothattheentireprocessof

measurement is carried out independently to ensure inherent checks in data

inconsistency,i.e.,thereshouldbeacleardemarcationoftherolesbetweenthedata

collectionagencyandthedataprocessing/publishingagency.

(xi) Effortsmaybemadetowithholdtheidentityofthechannel’sname,andnumber,while

collectingandprocessingthedatafromthefieldtobringmoretransparencyinthe

completeprocess.

(xii) BARCshouldalsoseparateitsfunctionsintwounits(a)oneunitshouldberesponsible

for prescribingmethodology of ratings/validation of data, publishing the data and

auditmechanismand(b)theotherunitforprocessingthedata,watermarkingorany

othersuchtechnicalworkincludingmanagementofdatacollectionagencies.

(xiii) Once multiple agencies come forward for rating, BARC should limit its role to

publishingtheratings,andframingmethodologyandauditmechanismfortherating

agencies,sothatthenumberofagenciescandevelopmultipleratingsystemleveraging

newtechnologies.

(xiv) Theratingagencyshouldbemandatedtoincreasethesamplesizefromtheexisting

44,000to60,000bytheendof2020,and1,00,000bytheendof2022usingtheexisting

technology.

(xv) BARCshallimmediatelyconductastudyincollaborationwiththeIndianStatistical

Instituteoranyotherinstituteofrepute,toestimatetheappropriatesamplesize,andto

getthecorrectrepresentationoftheviewershipincludingregionalandnichechannels.

Samplesizeonceincreased;itwillmakethedatatamperinganarduousexercise.Onthe

basisofthestudyconducted,BARCshouldreachthetargetofreachingthesamplesize

inatime-boundmanner.

(xvi) Thereshouldbesomefinancialdisincentivesprescribedaspenalprovisionsincluding

thecancellationofregistrationifthespecifiedtargetisnotmetbyBARC.

(xvii) MIB should amend theDTH License andMSO registration so as tomandate STBs

capableoftransferringviewershipdataandadoptionofRPDtechnology.Thistransfer

ofdatacanbedonebyestablishingareturnpath/connectionfromSTBtotheremote

serversoftheAudienceMeasurementagencyAnonymizedviewershipdatashouldbe

transferredelectronicallytotheAudienceMeasurementagencyforstatisticalanalysis

andTelevisionRatingpurpose.NodatafromanySTBshouldbetransferredtoRating

agencywithoutexplicitconsentfromthesubscribers.

(xviii) DPOsshouldbeallowedtomutuallynegotiatethetermsandconditionsforsharingthe

datawithMeasurementRatingagencywithin theoverall frameworkprescribedby

TRAI from time to time. Such framework shall be prescribed by TRAI once these

recommendationsareacceptedbyMIB.

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(xix) BARCshouldkeepallrelevantdatasuchasoriginaldata(meter-leveldata)arisingout

ofthehouseholdpanel,thedatadeleted/ignored/notconsideredforratingsandthe

resultantprocesseddataforTRPratingatleastforoneyearinthesameformatand

pattern as in the final ratings, declared to the subscribers including Broadcasters,

advertisingagencies,andadvertisers.

(xx) BARC should review/frame its outlier policybasedon scientific study andmarket

surveyconductedfromtimetotime.BARCshouldautomatedataprocessinginsucha

mannerthatnomanualinterventionisrequiredbeforethefinalTRPratingisreleased.

Anytypeofmanualinterventioninthemeter-level/rawdataarisingoutofhousehold

panelmustbeavoided.Manualintervention,ifany,inabnormalcircumstancesshould

bereportedandinformedtotheauditorsalso.

(xxi) Adequateframeworkforgrievanceredressalmaybemadehavingnodalofficersand

Appellatebodysothatthegrievance(s)ofstakeholderscanbeeffectivelyaddressedin

atime-boundmanner.BARCshouldalsodevelopaportalwhereinanystakeholdercan

raisethegrievance(s)withregardstoratingspublishedbytheagency.

(xxii) BARC should get annual audit conducted by an independent agency to ensure

conformance with TRP rating methodology, sample size, and grievance redressal

methodologyandpublishtheauditreportontheirwebsiteaftertheBoard’sapproval

withinthreemonths,aftertheendofthefinancialyear.Anauditmanualshouldbe

madetoensureaccuracyoftheprocessadoptedforratings,household-panelselection,

functioning,anddatacollectionforoverallratingsystems.

(xxiii) AninternalauditcommitteemaybeconstitutedheadedbyamemberofAAAIorISAto

auditprocesses,samplesize,ratingmethodologyandeffectiveredressalofgrievances

in a time-bound manner. Quarterly report of internal audit committee must be

approvedbytheBoardofBARCwithin30daysfromtheendofquarterandshallbe

placedonthewebsiteofBARC.

thl Recommendationsdated10 April,2020on“ReservePrice forAuctionofFMRadio

channels”

th2.5.15 On10 April,2020,TRAIreleasedtheRecommendationon“ReservePriceforAuctionofFM

Radiochannels”.Thesalientfeaturesoftherecommendationswere:-

(i) RPforFMradiochannelsinacity,exceptthecitiessituatedinNE,J&KandAndaman

andNicobar,shouldbesetequalto0.8timesthevaluationofFMradiochannelsinthat

city.

(ii) RPforFMradiochannelsinacitysituatedinNE,J&KandAndamanandNicobarshould

besetequalto0.4timesthevaluationofFMradiochannelsinthatcity.

(iii) TheRPsin10bordercitiesinthe‘Others’categoryinPhase-IIIshouldbe 5lakhper

channel.

(iv) AuctionofremainingchannelsofPhase-IIIshouldbedonebydelinkingthemfrom

technology.Broadcastersshouldbepermittedtouseanytechnology(analogordigital

orboth)forradiobroadcastingonthefrequencyallocatedtothemthroughauctionin

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future.Incaseradiobroadcastersoptfordigitaltechnology,theyshouldbepermitted

tobroadcastmorethanonechannelsubjecttotechnicalfeasibilityonsinglefrequency

allocatedtothem.

(v) Existingceilinglimitof15%oftotalFMradiochannelsinthecountrypermittedtoa

permissionholderisnolongervalidasthefearofmonopolyisnolongerreal.Thislimit

isalsonotpractical,asthetotalnumberofchannelswillvarydependingonavailability.

Hence,suchlimitmaybewithdrawn.

thl Recommendationsdated10 April,2020on“InteroperabilityofSet-TopBox”

th2.5.16 On10 April,2020,TRAIreleasedtheRecommendationson“InteroperabilityofSet-TopBox”.

Thesalientfeaturesoftherecommendationswere:-

(i) AlltheSet-Top-BoxesinIndiamustsupporttechnicalinteroperabilityinprinciple,i.e.

everySTBprovidedtoaconsumermustbeinteroperable.

(ii) MinistryofInformationandBroadcastingmayincludeasuitableclause/conditionin

thepermission/Registration/CableTelevisionNetworkRulemandatingalltheDPOs

(DTHaswell asMSOs) to compulsorily facilitate service provisioning through the

interoperableSTBseitherprovidedbyDPOsorprocuredbytheconsumersfromopen

market.

(iii) There are technical and commercial constraints to the universal STB. Therefore,

InteroperabilityofSTBs,witheffectfromthedateasprescribedvidetheextantclause/

condition, shall be ensured within the DTH or cable segment. That is, the

interoperability shall be applicablewithin the DTH segment andwithin the cable

segmentrespectively.

(iv) MIB may notify through licensing conditions or amendment in Cable Television

NetworkRules,1994,aspertheCableTelevisionNetwork(Regulation)Act,1995or

throughanyotherappropriatemechanismmandatoryuseofDVBCIPlus2.0(withUSB

CAM)aspertheETSITS103605specificationsbothforDTHSTBsandSTBsbeingused

byMSOsfromaprospectivedate.

(v) AtimeofsixmonthsmaybegiventobothDTHoperatorsandMSOstoadoptDVBCI

Plus2.0(withUSBCAM)aspertheETSITS103605specificationsfromthedateofMIB

notifications. MIBmay also coordinate with BIS so that suitable amendments are

broughtbyBISwithinthistimeframe.

(vi) The Authority recommends mandatory provisioning of USB port based Common

InterfaceforalldigitalTVsetsinIndia.MinistryofInformationandBroadcasting(MIB)

incoordinationwithTRAIandMinistryofElectronicsand InformationTechnology

(MeitY)may requestBIS to amend the specifications fordigitalTV sets to include

provisioningofUSB-basedCommonInterfaceportasperDVBCIPlus2.0standard

based on ETSI TS 103 605 standards. Such specifications must mandate TV

manufacturesto:

a. ProvidealldigitalTVsetswithminimumoneopen-interfaceportbasedonDVBCI

Plus2.0standardspermittingsimpleconnectionofUSBCAMtoallowreceptionof

TVsignals.

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b. ProvidethedigitalTVsetswithbuilt-intunerstoenablereceptionofTVcontent

throughbothsatelliteandcableplatforms.

SettingupofCoordinationandImplementationCommittee:

a. A Coordination Committee may be set up by the Ministry of Information and

Broadcasting (MIB)havingmembers fromMinistryofElectronics and Information

Technology(MeitY),TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia(TRAI),BureauofIndian

Standards(BIS),andrepresentativesofTVmanufacturers.TheCommitteemaysteer

implementationofrevisedSTBstandardsforboththeDTHandthecableTVsegment.

Further,thecommitteemaymaintaincontinuousoversightforsettingupofthedigital

TVstandardsbyBIStoprovideforDVBCIPlus2.0portbasedonETSITS103605

standardsandtohaveprovisionforreceptionofbothDTHandcableTVsignals.

b. ThecoordinationcommitteemaysteertheadaptationoftherevisedSTBanddigitalTV

standardsinatime-boundmanner.

AdditionalInformationwithrespecttotheImportantRecommendationsfurnishedto

theGovernmentpreviously

2.6 Overthelastfewyears,TRAIhassentseveralrecommendationstoDoTandMIBonimportant

issues concerning growth of telecommunications services and Broadcasting and Cable

Servicesinthecountryeitheronreferenceorsuomoto.Duringtheyear,TRAIhasworkedwith

bothDoTandMIBandbytheconcertedefforts,anumberoftheserecommendationshavebeen

accepted during the period. However, many of the important recommendations are still

pending fordecision/implementationbyDoTandMIBwhich, if implemented,wouldhave

significantpositiveimpactontheTelecommunicationandBroadcastingSector.Itisfeltthatthe

technologicaladvancementsandchangeskeeponhappeningintheTelecomandBroadcasting

Sector,andifdecisionsarenottakeninareasonabletime-frame,therecommendationslose

theirrelevancedefeatingthewholepurposeofmakingtheRecommendationasenvisagedby

TRAI.SometimestheRecommendationsareaccepted/implementedpartiallywhichdefeats

the very intent envisaged in comprehensive approach towards a subject while making

recommendations.Further,mereacceptanceofrecommendationsdoesnothelpthesector,

until they are implemented on ground. If the Recommendations are accepted, but

implementedaftera lapseofmanyyears, the impactthataparticularRecommendation is

supposedtomakeonthesectorgetsreducedduetothisdelay.

Therefore,thereisaneedforfeedbackmechanismthroughwhichtheMinistriesmayshare

information with TRAI about the acceptance/implementation or otherwise of TRAI’s

Recommendations.Incasesofnon-acceptance/partialacceptance/delayinacceptance,the

reasonsofrejection/partialacceptance/pendencyofTRAI’srecommendationswithrelevant

detailsneedstobesharedwithTRAIbytheconcernedministry(DoT/MIB).Thismechanism

wherebythereisperiodicreviewofimplementationofpendingrecommendationsofTRAIin

DoT/MIB,willhelpTRAIinfutureformulationofpoliciesandregulatoryframework.

Withaboveobjectiveinviewandtocreatecentralrepositoryforreal-timetrackingofstatusof

all recommendations,TRAIhasdeveloped aRecommendation StatusPortalwhich canbe

accessed jointly byTRAI,DoT andMIB for updating the recommendationsmade and the

detailsregardingtheactiontaken/statusofRecommendations.

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AcceptedRecommendationsrelatedtotheTelecomSectorduringtheperiod

2.7 Out of the several Recommendations made by the TRAI to the Department of

Telecommunicationsinthepast,theimportantrecommendationshavebeenacceptedfullyor

partiallybytheGovernmentduringtheyear2020-21(asperthestatusprovidedbyDoT).They

areatvariousstagesofimplementationwhichonceimplementedfullywillresultintopositive

impactonthesectorandthe economy. Thelistofsuchacceptedrecommendationsisgiven

below:

(i) Recommendationson “NetworkTestingBeforeCommercial Launchof Services forndWirelineAccessServices”wereforwardedtotheGovernmenton22 April,2020to

remove regulatory uncertainties and create a level playing field. These

recommendationshavebeen acceptedby theGovernment. The implementationof

Recommendationswillenablethesubscriberstohaveclarityabouttheirstatusand

tariff plan during testing phase and Service provider will also clearly know their

obligationsduringthetestphase.

(ii) Recommendations on “Provision of Cellular Backhaul Connectivity via Satellite

ThroughVSATUnderCommercialVSATCUGServiceAuthorization”wereforwardedthon28 July,2020astherewasaneedtoenhancethescopeoftheVSATlicensetopermit

thelicenseetoprovidesatellitebasedbackhaulconnectivitytomobileoperators.This

recommendationhasbeenacceptedbytheGovernment.ThisWillhelpinconnecting

rural,inaccessibleareasofthecountrythroughmobileandinternet.

(iii) Recommendationson“EnsuringAdequateNumberingResourcesforFixedLineandthMobileServices”wereforwardedtotheGovernmenton29 May,2020.TheAuthority

has recommended for continuation of the existing 10-digit numbering for mobile

services and SDCA (shortDistanceChargingArea) linkednumbering for fixed line

services. The Recommendations of the Authority has been accepted and their

implementationwillensureavailabilityofadditionalnumberingresourcesforgrowing

subscriberbasewithoutaffectingtheexistingnetworkimplementationandwithout

goingforanyadditionaldigitinnumberingscheme.

(iv) Recommendationson“ProliferationofBroadbandthroughPublicWi-FiNetworks(PMthWANI)”wereforwardedtotheGovernmenton9 March,2017.Itwillpromotethe

growthofPublicWi-FiNetworksinthecountryand,inturn,willhelpinproliferationof

BroadbandInternet,enhancementofincomeandemploymentandempowermentof

people.Itwillfacilitateaccesstobroadbandservicesataffordablepricesinthecellularthdarkareas.PM-WANIschemehasbeenapprovedbyUnionCabineton9 December,

2020.

(v) Recommendationson“AllotmentofSpectrumtoIndianRailwaysforPublicSafetyandthSecurityservices”wereforwardedtotheGovernmenton25 October,2019.TRAIhad

recommendedforanallotmentof5MHZpairedspectrumin700MHzbandtoIndian

Railways for implementing the latest train signaling system, which will help in

reductionofinter-trainfixeddistanceandthusimprovingcarryingcapacity,reduction

inoperatingcostasspeedofthetrainscanbeincreasedsafely.ItalsoemphasizesonloT

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(InternetofThings)basedAssetreliabilitymonitoring.TheDigitalCommunication

Commission (DCC)hasapproved theStandingCommittee recommendations in theth

meetingheldon19 September,2020.

(vi) Recommendations on “Spectrum Usage Charges and Presumptive Adjusted Gross

Revenue for InternetServiceProviders (ISPs)andCommercialVerySmallApertureth

Terminal(VSAT)ServiceProviders”wereforwardedtotheGovernmenton7 March,

2017.TheserecommendationswereintendedtopromotethegrowthofISPandVSAT

serviceprovidersbyreducingtheburdenofregulatoryfeesandcompliancesandthe

streamliningofprocesses.TheDigitalCommunicationCommission(DCC)haspartially

acceptedtherecommendation.SUCreductionfrom4%to1%forcommercialVSATis

stillunderconsideration.

(vii) Recommendations on “Captive Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Closed Userth

Group(CUG)Policyissues”wereforwardedtotheGovernmenton18 July,2017.The

Authorityhasrecommendedfor:reductionofvariousfeesuchasEntryFeeforCaptive

VSATlicenseshouldbereducedby50%i.e.fromRs.30Lakhto` 15Lakh,Spectrum

licensefeeforthesecondhubandVSATterminals,toputinplacesimplifiedonline

single-windowclearancesystemsandtoremovetherestrictionofmaximumdatarates

of512Kbps/2MbpsperVSATasthenewtechnologieshavemadeitpossibletoachieve

higher data rates. These recommendations would reduce cost of providing such

servicesinremoteandinaccessiblelocations(ruralareas,ships,coastalregions,hills,

etc.) by banks, post offices and other captive VSAT service providers. The TRAI

recommendationswereconsideredandapprovedbyDCCinSeptember,2020.

(viii) Recommendationson“AuctionofSpectrumin700,800,900,1800,2100,2300,2500,st3300-3400&3400-3600MHzBands”wereforwardedtotheGovernmenton1 August,

2018. In the recommendations, apart from the reserve price, other terms and

conditions such as quantum of spectrum to be put to auction, block size, roll out

obligations,spectrumcap,etc.foreachspectrumbandwererecommended.Basedon

the TRAI recommendations, Spectrum Auction was conducted in 2021. All the

spectrumbandsexcluding3300-3600MHzBandwereofferedforauction.

(ix) Recommendations on “Methodology for levyof SpectrumCharges forprovisionofth

SatellitebasedPhoneServices”wereforwardedtotheGovernmenton27 December,

2018.Theserecommendationswillresultintouptakeofthisserviceintheareashaving

noothermeansoftelecomandwillhelpGovernmentagenciestoprovideemergency

services,searchandrescueoperationandcounterterrorismininaccessibleareas.The

Digital Communication Commission (DCC) has approved the Standing Committeeth

recommendationsinthemeetingheldon19 August,2020.Thespectrumchargesasth

1%ofAGRhasbeenacceptedandimplementedvideDoTOMdated28 June,2021.

(x) Recommendationson“ImplementationStrategyforBharatNet”wereforwardedtothest

Governmenton1 February,2016.TRAIrecommendedaPublicPrivatePartnership

(PPP)modelthatalignsprivateincentiveswithlongtermservicedeliveryintheveinof

the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer/Build-Operate-Transfer models. These

recommendations would also ensure efficient utilization of network and the

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Governmentfund. TherevisedimplementationstrategyofBharatNetthroughPublicth

PrivatePartnershipmodeuptoallinhabitedvillagesapprovedfor16Stateson30 June,

2021with estimatedmaximum viability gap funding of` 19,041 crores. Creation,

upgradation, operation, maintenance, and utilization of BharatNet by the

concessionairewhowillbeselectedbyacompetitiveinternationalbiddingprocess.

(xi) Recommendationson“LicensingframeworkforAudioConferencing/Audiotex/VoicethMail Services”were forwarded to the Government on 16 December, 2016. These

recommendationswillencourageserviceproviders tooffer theseservicesandwill

create a level playing field and will ensure the widespread availability of these

specialized services for enterprise customers. Digital Communication Commissionst

(DCC)approvedit inthemeetingheldon1 December,2020.Implementationis in

process.

(xii) Recommendations on “Promoting Local Telecom Equipment Manufacturing” wererd

forwarded to the Government on 3 August, 2018. The implementation of these

recommendationscanmakeIndiaself-reliantintelecomequipmentspaceandanet

exporteroftelecomequipment.DOThasacceptedtherecommendationspartially.The

Governmentof IndiahasrecentlyannouncedPLIschemesworth` 12,200croreto

boostlocalmanufacturingoftelecomgearforboththedomesticmarketandexports.

DoThassentafreshreferenceseekingrecommendationsofTRAIoncertainrelated

issues such as incentive structure etc. TRAI is working on overall manufacturing

strategyfortelecommunicationandbroadcastingandonR&Deco-systemalso.

PendingRecommendationsrelatedtotheTelecomSectorattheendofperiod

2.8 However,manyoftheimportantRecommendationswhichwereforwardedtotheDepartment

ofTelecommunication(DoT)inthepastarestillpending.ThelistofRecommendationsthatarest

stillpendingwithGovernmentforacceptanceandimplementationason31 March,2021are

detailedbelow:

SubjectSl.No.Dateof

forwarding

29-08-2014

10-03-2017

04-06-2018

09-07-2018

16-07-2018

20-07-2018

21-02-2020

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Recommendationson“AllocationandpricingofMicrowaveAccess(MWA)

andMicrowaveBackbone(MWB)RFcarriers.”

Recommendations on “Complaints/Grievance Redressal in the Telecom

Sector.”

Recommendationson''NextGenerationPublicProtectionandDisasterRelief

(PPDR)communicationnetworks.''

Recommendationson“MakingICTaccessibleforPersonswithDisabilities”

Recommendationson“Privacy,SecurityandOwnershipof theData inthe

TelecomSector.”

Recommendationson“MethodofallocationofspectrumforPublicMobile

Radio Trunking Service (PMRTS) including auction, as a transparent

mechanism.”

Recommendations on “Reforming the Guidelines for Transfer/Merger of

TelecomLicenses.”

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13-03-2020

17-08-2020

14-09-2020

22-09-2020

8.

9.

10.

11.

Recommendationson “Enhancementof Scopeof InfrastructureProviders

Category-I(IP-I)Registration”

Recommendationson “Methodologyof applying SpectrumUsageCharges

(SUC)undertheweightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment, incasesof

SpectrumSharing”

Recommendationson“CloudServices”

Recommendations on “Traffic Management Practices (TMPs) and Multi-

StakeholderBodyforNetNeutrality”

AcceptedRecommendationsrelatedtotheBroadcasting&CableServicesSectorduring

theperiod

2.9 TheimportantRecommendationsthathavebeenacceptedbyMIBduringtheyear2020-21

andthelikelypositiveimpactoftheseRecommendationsonthesectoraredetailedbelow:

(i) Recommendations on “Issues related to New DTH Licenses” forwarded to therd

Governmenton23 July,2014.Theimplementationoftheserecommendationswill

ensurecertaintyandcontinuityofbusinessandorderlygrowthoftheDTHsectorand

willpromotelevelplayingfield.AfteracceptanceoftheserecommendationsbyMIB,ththeamendmentstoDTHLicenseguidelineshavebeenissuedon30 December,2020.

(ii) Recommendationson“KYCofDTHSetTopBoxes”forwardedtotheGovernmentonth24 October,2019addressedthesecurityconcernsforuseofDTHboxesoutsidethe

countryassatelliteshavefootprintsbeyondgeographicalboundaries.Theacceptance

and implementation of these Recommendations will result in standardization of

verificationprocess andwill ensure installation ofDTH connection at the address

mentioned in CAF and will not load the industry/customer with unnecessary

additionalrequirementsandcosts.

(iii) Recommendationson“PlatformServicesofferedbyDTHOperators”forwardedtothethGovernment on 13 November, 2019 addressed the issues of bringing platform

services under regulatory framework and providing transparent information to

consumersaboutPlatformservices.AmendmentstoDTHLicenseguidelineshavebeenth

issuedbyMIBon30 December,2020wherebyDTHoperatorarepermittedtooperate

PlatformServiceschannelstoamaximumof5%ofitstotalchannelcarryingcapacity.

PendingRecommendationsrelatedtotheBroadcasting&CableServicesSectoratthe

endoftheperiod

2.10 SeveralRecommendationsweremadebytheAuthoritytotheMinistryof Informationand

Broadcasting fromtimetotime.However,several importantRecommendations forwardedst

MinistryofInformationandBroadcastingarestillpendingwithGovernmentason31 March,

2021,aredetailedbelow:

73

SubjectSl.No. DateofIssue

2.11 During the year 2020-21, the Authority in discharge of its functions assigned under the

TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityof IndiaAct,1997,has framed the followingRegulations in

TelecomandBroadcastingsectors:

TELECOMSECTOR

ListofRegulationsSl.No.

th1. The Telecom Consumer Protection (Eleventh Amendment) Regulation, 2020 dated 30

September,2020.

th2. TheTelecommunicationInterconnection(SecondAmendment)Regulations,2020dated10

July,2020.

3. The Telecommunication Interconnection Usage Charges (Sixteenth Amendment)thRegulations,2020dated17 April,2020.

REGULATIONS

l “TheTelecomConsumerProtection(EleventhAmendment)Regulation,2020”datedth

30 September,2020

2.11.1 TRAInotifiedtheTelecomConsumersProtection(EleventhAmendment)Regulations(TCPR),th

2020on30 September,2020.Withtheenactmentofthisamendment,anewchapterisadded

intheTelecomConsumersProtectionRegulations,2012providingtheregulatoryframework

for International Mobile Roaming Services and to empower the consumer & ensuring

protectionofconsumerfrombillshock.Theafore-mentionedamendmentwasuploadedon

TRAI’swebsite(www.trai.gov.in).

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

RecommendationsonRestrictionsoncertainentitiesfromenteringbusinessofbroadcastinganddistributionofTVchannels

Recommendations on Issues related toRadioAudienceMeasurement andRatingsinIndia

RecommendationsonIssuesrelatedtoDigitalTerrestrialBroadcasting(DTT)inIndia

Recommendations on Sharing of Infrastructure in TV BroadcastingDistributionSector

RecommendationsonIssuesrelatedtoDigitalRadioBroadcastinginIndia

Recommendations on Issues relating to Uplinking and Downlinking ofTelevisionchannelsinIndia

RecommendationsonReservePriceforauctionofFMRadioChannelsinnewcities

RecommendationsonInteroperabilityofSet-TopBox

Recommendations on Review of Television Audience Measurement andRatingSysteminIndia

RecommendationsonRegulatoryFrameworkforPlatformServices(PS)forMSO

28.12.2012

15.09.2016

31.01.2017

29.03.2017

01.02.2018

25.06.2018

10.04.2020

10.04.2020

28.04.2020

02.02.2021

74

l “The Telecommunication Interconnection (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2020”th

dated10 July,2020

2.11.2TRAI notified “TheTelecommunication Interconnection (SecondAmendment)Regulations,th

2020”on10 July,2020,whichmakeseasier the interconnectionbetweenany twoPublic

Switched Telephone Networks (commonly referred to as the Fixed Line Networks), and

between Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and National Long Distance (NLD)

Network.

Aconsultationpaperonthe“ReviewoftheRegulatoryframeworkforInterconnection”wasthissuedon30 May,2019seekingcommentsandcounter-commentsfromthestakeholders.In

ththisregard,anOpenHouseDiscussion(OHD)washeldon19 August,2019atNewDelhi.

Basedonthecomments/inputsreceivedfromthestakeholders,discussionheldduringthe

OHD and after its own analysis, the Authority notified “The Telecommunicationth

Interconnection(SecondAmendment)Regulations,2020”on10 July,2020.Acopyof the

RegulationisavailableonTRAI’swebsitewww.trai.gov.in.

The synopsisof theamendments to the “Telecommunication InterconnectionRegulations,

2018”,isasfollows:

i. Withinaservicearea,thelocationofPOI,forcallsbetweenPSTNandPSTNorbetween

PSTNandNLDnetwork,shallbeatsuchplaceasmaybemutuallyagreedbetweenthe

interconnectionproviderandtheinterconnectionseeker.

ii. Incasetheinterconnectionproviderandtheinterconnectionseekerfailtoagree,the

locationofPOI,forcallsbetweenPSTNandPSTN,orbetweenPSTNandNLDnetwork,

shallbeatLDCC.Insuchacase,thecarriagechargeforcarriageofcallsfromLDCCto

SDCCandviceversa,asapplicableshallbepaidbytheinterconnectionseekertothe

interconnectionprovider.

iii. TheexistingPOIsattheSDCClevel,forcallsbetweenPSTNandPSTN,orbetweenPSTN

andNLDnetwork,shallremaininoperationforaperiodofatleastfiveyearsortillsuch

time the interconnected service providers mutually decide to close such POIs,

whicheverisearlier.

iv. TheexistingPOIattheSDCClevel,forcallsbetweenPSTNandPSTN,orbetweenPSTN

andNLDnetwork,canbeclosediftheservicesofeitheroftheinterconnectedservice

providersarediscontinuedinthatSDCA.

l “The Telecommunication Interconnection Usage Charges (Sixteenth Amendment)th

Regulations,2020”dated17 April,2020

2.11.3 TRAIissued“TheTelecommunicationInterconnectionUsageCharges(SixteenthAmendment)th

Regulations, 2020” on 17 April, 2020.Through these Regulations, the regime of fixed

InternationalTerminationcharges(ITC)@Re.0.30perminutehasbeenrevisedtoforbearance

regimewithinaprescribedrangeofRe.0.35perminute toRe.0.65perminute.Further, to

ensurethelevelplayingfieldbetweenstandaloneandintegratedInternationalLong-Distance

Operators (ILDOs), it is mandated that an Access Service Provider shall offer the non-

discriminatoryrateofITCtoeveryonei.e.toitsownassociatedILDOaswellastostandalonest

ILDOs.TheseRegulationscameintoforcefrom1 May,2020.

75

2.12 Duringtheyear2020-21,theAuthorityissuedthefollowingTariffOrderinTelecomSector

TARIFFORDER

rdl TelecomTariff(65thAmendment)Order,2020dated3 June,2020

2.12.1 AfterfollowinganelaborateconsultationprocessandonlineOpenHouseDiscussion,theTRAIrdon3 June,2020issuedtheTelecomTariff(65thAmendment)Order,2020whichisavailableat

linkhttps://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Regulation_03062020.pdf.TheAmendment

Order provides for deletion of ScheduleXIII of theTelecommunicationTariffOrder, 1999

whichmadeitobligatoryfortelecomserviceproviderstochargeaminimumof50paisaper

SMSforeverySMSexceeding100SMSperSIMperday.TheAmendmentOrdermarkedanother

initiativeofTRAIindoingawayofthetariffregulationandstrengtheningtheregimeoftariff

forbearance.

2.13 TRAIissuedthefollowingDirectionsandOrdertotheServiceProvidersduringtheyear2020-

21forcomplianceofitsorder/Regulations,someoftheseDirectionsaredetailedbelow:-

TELECOMSECTOR

ListofDirectionsandAmendmentSl.No.

th1 Directiondated15 February,2021issuedtoallserviceprovidersregardingsubmissionof

Performance Monitoring Report to the Authority under the Telecom Commercial

CommunicationCustomerPreferenceRegulations,2018.

th2 Directiondated4 December,2020issuedtoTelecomServiceProvidersseekinginformation

relatedtosegmentedoffers.

nd th3 Amendment dated 22 October, 2020 to Direction dated 18 September 2020 on Tariff

Publications.

th4 Direction dated 18 September, 2020 issued to Telecom Service Providers on Tariff

Publications.

th5 Direction dated 18 September, 2020 issued to Telecom Service Providers on Tariff

Advertisements.

th6 Directiondated27 August,2020forminimumthresholdofrupeestentobeapplicablefor

generating unique porting code, raising of Non-Payment Disconnection requests and

reconnectionofmobilenumbers.

th7 Direction dated 19 June, 2020 regarding Implementation of the Telecom Commercial

CommunicationsCustomerPreferenceRegulations(TCCCPR),2018.

TELECOMSECTOR

rd1. TelecomTariff(65thAmendment)Order,2020dated3 June,2020.

ListofTariffOrderSl.No.

76

DIRECTIONS

thl Direction dated 15 February, 2021 issued to all service providers regarding

submission of PerformanceMonitoring Report to the Authority under the Telecom

CommercialCommunicationCustomerPreferenceRegulations,2018

th2.13.1 TheAuthorityvidedirectiondated15 February,2021inexerciseofthepowersundersection

13of theTRAIAct 1997 and theprovisions of theTelecomCommercial Communications

CustomerPreferenceRegulations,2018insupersessionoftheDirectionNo.311-04/2017-QoSth

dated6 August,2019,directedallAccessProviderstosubmitPerformanceMonitoringReport

(PMR),onquarterlybasis,separatelyforeachcalendarmonthineveryquarterasperPMR

formatsspecifiedinAnnexures(Annex.I,II,III,IV,V&VI)asapartofstandardcodeofpracticest th thforperiodicreportingwithinaperiodof21daysofquarterendingon31 March,30 June,30

stSeptemberand31stDecemberoftheyearrespectivelystartingfromquarterending31 March

2021.,

thl Direction dated 4 December, 2020 issued to Telecom Service Providers seeking

informationrelatedtosegmentedoffers

th2.13.2 InpursuanceoftheOrderdated6 November,2020passedbyHon’bleSupremeCourtofIndia,

TRAIdirectedallthetelecomserviceproviderstoprovide,withinfifteendaysofthedateofth

issueofdirectiondated4 December,2020,onamonthlybasis,foreachLSA,thefollowing

detailsofsegmentedofferfromthemonthofDecember,2020onwards:-

i. detailsofratesandrelatedterms&conditions,quantumofservices,nameofthetariff

planandvalidityperiodofsubscription&benefitsavailabletothesubscribersinthe

tariffplaninwhichsegmentedofferhasbeengiven;

ii. numberofsegmentedofferstotheexistingsubscribersundertherespectivetariffplan

attheendofthemonth;

iii. detailsofratesandrelatedterms&conditions,quantumofservices,validityperiodof

subscription&benefitsavailabletothesubscribersineachofthesaidsegmentedoffer;

iv. numberofsubscribers,attheendofeachmonth,whohaveavailedthesegmentedoffer

withineachtariffplan;

v. thedeclarationthatthebenefitsofsuchsegmentedoffershavebeenmadeavailableto

all the existing customers falling in the segment/class and the principle of non-

discriminationhasbeenstrictlyfollowed.

nd thl Amendmentdated22 October,2020toDirectiondated18 September,2020onTariff

Publications

th2.13.3 TheAuthorityon18 September,2020issueddirectiononTariffPublicationtoallTelecom

Accessserviceproviders(TSPs)todiscloseessential informationinrespectoftariffplans,

Specialtariffvouchers(STVs),Combovouchers(CV)andAddonpacksissuedbythemand

updateontheirwebsites,appscustomercarecentres,pointofsaleandretailoutletswith

fifteendaysfromthedateofissueofthisDirection.OntherequestoftheCOAIforadditionalnd

timeforimplementationofthesaidDirection,theAuthorityissuedanAmendmenton22

77

thOctober,2020initsDirectiondated18 September,2020forimplementationoftheDirectionnd

by2 November,2020inplaceoffifteendaysfromthedateofissueofthisDirection.

thl Directiondated18 September, 2020 issued toTelecomServiceProvidersonTariff

Publications

2.13.4 TheAuthorityinexerciseofitspowerundersection13ofTRAIActreadwithsubclauses(i)and

(v)ofsubsection(1)ofsection11oftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997and

clause9oftheTelecommunicationTariffOrder,1999andinsupersessionofDirectiondatedth th

16 January,2012directedthetelecomserviceprovidersvideDirectiondated18 September,

2020todisclosethefollowing,whilemaketariffoffers:

EssentialdisclosureforTarifplans

A. Publish,serviceareawise,withinfifteendaysofthedateofissueofthisDirection,eachTariff

Plan for post-paid subscribers and pre-paid subscribers, as applicable, and shall make

availablesuchTariffPlantothesubscribersattheCustomerCareCentres,thepointsofsale,

retailoutletsandonthewebsite,Appofthetelecomserviceproviderhavingthefollowing

essentialdisclosures:

i. Allimportantinformation,viz,units/volumeofvoice,dataandSMS,ratesforthesame

asapplicable,limitofusages,ratesandspeedbeyondtheentitleduseetc,

ii. Completedetailsofupfrontcostalongwithrelevantitemizeddetails,includingbutnot

limitedto,advancerental,deposits,connectionfeeetc.forpost-paidservicesandthe

start-up kit (SUKs). Top Up, Tariff vouchers, First Recharge Coupon (FRC) etc. as

applicable;

iii. Informationregardingvalidityperiodofthetariffplanandthelastdateofpaymentof

bill,inaclear,unambiguousandeasytounderstandmannerforconsumers;

iv. Anexhaustivelistofallspecificinclusionsintariffplan,suchaquantity/ratedetailsof

telecomproductssuchasvoice,dataandSMSalongwithnon-telecomproductsincase

ofabundledtariffoffer;

v. Completedetailsofallchargesthatcanbeleviedonconsumersforusageoftelecom

andnon-telecomproductsbeyondthespecifiedentitlementorfortelecomandnon-

telecomproductswhicharenotspecificallyproposedorincludedintheTariffPlan;

vi. Allthepromisedserviceparameterssuchasdataspeedetc.,inaclear,unambiguous

andeasytounderstandmanner;and

vii. Complete details of allmaterial conditions including, but not limited to, details of

applicableFairUsagePolicy,whichisspecificallycoveredintheaboveparas.

EssentialdisclosuresforSTV/CV/Addonpacks

B. Publish,serviceareawise,withinfifteendaysofthedateofissueofthisDirection,eachtariff

offerinthenatureofSpecialTariffVouchers/ComboVouchers/AddonPackandshallmake

availablesuchTariffOfferstothesubscribersattheCustomerCareCentres,thepointsofsale,

78

retailoutletsandonthewebsite,Appofthetelecomserviceproviderhavingthefollowing

essentialdisclosures:

i. Allimportantinformationviz.,units/volumeofvoice,dataandSMS,ratesforthesame

as applicable, limit of usage, rates and speedbeyond the entitled use etc., of each

STV/CV/Add on Pack, as applicable, and also the Tariff Plan(s) to which the

STV/CV/AddonPackisapplicable;

ii. Complete details of upfront cost and cost components by whatever name called,

including but not limited to, First Recharge Conditions (FRCs), requirement of

subscribingtoaTariffPlantoavailbenefitofaparticularSTV/CV/AddonPackwhich

mayentailadditionalcost,etc.;

iii. InformationregardingvalidityperiodoftheSTVs/CVs/Add-onPacksandtheamount

ofrechargerequiredattheendofthevalidityperiod,inaclear,unambiguousandeasy

tounderstandmannerforconsumers;

iv. AnexhaustivelistofallspecificinclusionsinSTV/CV/AddonPack,beitquantity/rate

information for telecomproductssuchasvoice,dataandSMSalongwith thenon-

telecomproductsincaseofabundledtariffoffer;

v. Complete details of all charges that can be levied on consumers for usage of

telecom/non-telecomproductsbeyondthespecifiedentitlementorfortelecom/non

telecomproductswhicharenotspecificallyproposedorincludedintheSTV/CV/Add

onPack;

vi. allthepromisedserviceparameterssuchasdataspeedetc.Inaclear,unambiguous,

andeasytounderstandmanner;and

vii. completedetailsofallmaterialconditionswhicharenotspecificallycoveredinthe

aforesaidinformationpointssuchastheFairUsagePoliciesetc.

C. ensurethatthetariffspublishedinaforesaidmannerandreferredtoinsub-paras(APand(B)

above,areupdatedonthewebsite,AppandCustomerCareCentreoftheserviceprovider,

pointsofsaleandretailoutletseverytimeisanychang4einanyofthetariffoffersornewtariff

offerislaunched;

D. submittotheAuthorityacompliancereportofthedirectionsatsub-paras(A)and(B)above,

withinfifteendaysofthepublicationofthisDirection;and

E. submittotheAuthority,thefactofcontinuedcomplianceinrespectofdirectionsatsub-parath st(C)above,bywayofaself-certificateby7 ofthemonthfollowingthequarterending31

th th stMarch,30 June,30 Septembeand31 Decemberofthefiscalyear.

thl Directiondated18 September, 2020 issued toTelecomServiceProvidersonTariff

Advertisements

th2.13.5 TheAuthorityon18 September,2020,inexerciseofitspowerundersection13ofTRAIActthandinsupersessionofpara10(i)(d)oftheDirectionNo.301-14/2010-ERdated26 March,

2012directedtelecomserviceproviderstoprominentlyhighlighttheadditionaltermsand

conditionsandshallalsoprovidealinktothespecifiedtermsandconditionsofeachofthe

79

tariffofferings,whereverrequired,whiledisseminatingtariffrelatedinformation,including

ontheirwebsiteandmobileapplications,withinfifteendaysfromthedateofissueofthisth

directioni.e.18 September,2020.Theafore-mentioneddirectionwasuploadedonTRAI’s

website(www.trai.gov.in).

thl Directiondated27 August,2020forminimumthresholdofrupeestentobeapplicable

forgeneratinguniqueportingcode,raisingofNonPaymentDisconnectionrequestsand

reconnectionofmobilenumbers

th2.13.6. TheAuthorityon13 December,2018issuedTelecommunicationMobileNumberPortability

th(Seventh Amendment) Regulations, 2018, which were implemented from 16 December,

2019,andwhereinitwasprovidedthatuniqueportingcode(hereinafterreferredtoasthe

"UPC")shallbeallocatedbytheMobileNumberPortabilityServiceProvidersbasedonthe

validationoftheconditionscontainedinregulation6Aoftheregulations.

th TheAuthority,videitsDirectionNo.116-3/2011-MNdated24 May,2011,haddirectedallthe

CellularMobileTelephoneServiceProvidersandUnifiedAccessServiceProvidersnottoreject

arequestforportingofamobilenumber:

(a) iftheoutstandingpaymentduefromthesubscriber,inthepreviouspaidbill,islessthanrupees

tenwhichtheserviceprovidermayincludeinthesubsequentbillofthesubscriberwithoutany

penalcharges;

(b) onthegroundofsubsistingcontractualobligationsexceptinthecaseof,--

(i) thepost-paidconnectionwithbundledhandsetwithcontractualobligationhavingan

exitclauseandsubscriberhasnotcompliedwiththesame;and,

(ii) corporateconnectionwithcontractualobligationhavinganexitclauseandsubscriber

hasnotcompliedwiththesame;

nd CellularOperators'AssociationofIndia(COAI),videitsletterdated22 June,2020hadwritten

totheAuthoritythatthethresholdofrupeestenmayalsobeapplicableforclosureofNon

PaymentDisconnection (NPD) service requestsunder the regulations,bothat the timeof

disconnectionandreconnection,i.e.whentheMNPSPshallquerytheoutstandingstatusofa

mobilenumbertotheDonorOperatorwithinthefirstthirtydays,theDonorOperatorshall

respondasNPDclosediftheoutstandingamountislessthanrupeesten,andsimilarlyatthe

timeofreconnectionrequest,iftheoutstandingamountdueislessthanrupeesten,theDonor

OperatorshallnotsendanegativeresponsetotheMNPSPandsuchoutstandingshallnot

includeanypenalchargeslikelatepaymentchargesetc.;

st Theissuementionedintheparaabovewasdiscussedduringthemeetingheldon1 July,2020

on'NPDissuesinMNPProcess'throughvideoconferencing,whereinrepresentativesfromall

the telecom service providers andMNPSPs participated andwere in agreementwith the

suggestionofCOAI.

Consequent to implementation of seventh amendment regulations, the porting request

submittedbyanindividualsubscriberwithcorrectUPC,withinvalidityperiodofUPC,shallnot

berejected,andwhereascorporateportingrequestswhichareforwardedbyMNPSPtothe

DonorOperatorforvalidationofauthorizationlettermaybeacceptedorrejecteddepending

80

uponthematchingofdetailsmentionedintheauthorizationletterwiththoseinthedatabase

oftheDonorOperator.

th Therefore,theAuthoritywasoftheopinionthatdirectiondated24 May,2011needstobe

alignedwiththeprevailingregulations,andthus,therequestsmadeforUPCshouldnotbe

rejectediftheoutstandingpaymentduefromthepost-paidsubscriberbywayofpendingbill,

issuedasperthenormalbillingcyclebutbeforethedateofrequestforuniqueportingcode,is

rupeestenorless.

The Authority, however,while reviewing the status of the implementation of the seventh

amendmentregulationsandduringdiscussionswiththerepresentativesofTSPsandMNPSPs,

notedthatmanyoftheNPDrequestsarebeingraisedforrecoveryofverynominaloutstanding

amounts from the ported subscribers, for e.g.~ 8.50 or~ 0.50 etc., and thereby causing

inconveniencenotonlytothesubscriber,butalsototheDonorOperator,RecipientOperator

andMNPSPsforsuchaminisculeamount.

TheAuthority,therefore,agreedwiththeproposalofCOAIwhichhasbeensupportedbyallthe

telecom service providers, to not raise suchNPD requests by the Donor Operatorwhere

outstandingamountpayablebytheportedsubscriberisrupeestenorless,andalsosenda

positiveresponsetotheMNPSPwhenthereconnectionrequestsareraisedbytheRecipient

Operatorwheretheoutstandingamountdueisrupeestenorlessthanrupeesten.

Therefore,theAuthority,inexerciseofthepowersconferredundertheTelecomRegulatory

AuthorityofIndiaAct,1997(24of1997)andinsupersessionoftheDirectionNo.116-3/2011-thMNdated24 May,2011andforensuringcomplianceoftermsandconditionsoflicenseand

thforprotectingtheinterestofconsumers,directedon27 August,2020alltheAccessService

ProvidersasDonorOperatorthat:--

(a) inresponsetothequeryrelatingtotheoutstandingdues,madebytheMNPSPunderclause(b)

ofsub-regulation(3)oftheregulation6Aoftheregulations,clearanceshouldbegrantedfor

generatingUPCiftheoutstandingpaymentsduefromthepost-paidsubscriberintheprevious

paidbillisrupeestenorlessthanrupeesten,whichtheserviceprovidermayincludeinthe

subsequentbillofthesubscriberwithoutanypenalcharges;

(b) NPDrequestsshouldnotberaisedforthemobilenumberiftheoutstandingamountduefrom

theportedsubscriberisrupeestenorlessthanrupeestenwithoutanypenalcharges;

(c) theresponseofDonorOperatortothereconnectionrequestreceivedfromMNPSPonbeing

raisedbytheRecipientOperatorshouldbe'NoDuesPending',iftheoutstandingamountdue

fromthesubscriberisrupeestenorlessthanrupeesten;

(d) whenqueryrelatingtothesubsistingcontractualobligationsismadebyMNPSPunderclause

(g)ofsub-regulation(3)ofregulation6AforgeneratingUPC,clearanceshouldbegrantedfor

generatingUPC,exceptinthecaseof--

(i) thepost-paidconnectionswithbundledhandsetwithcontractualobligationhaving

exitclauseandthesubscriberhasnotcompliedwiththesame;and

(ii) corporate connection with contractual obligation having an exit clause and the

subscriberhasnotcompliedwiththesame.

81

th A copy of the said Direction dated 27 August, 2020 is available in the TRAI’s website

www.trai.gov.in.

thl Directiondated19 June,2020regardingImplementationoftheTelecomCommercial

CommunicationsCustomerPreferenceRegulations(TCCCPR),2018

th2.13.7 TheAuthorityvideitsdirectionno.311-04/2017-QoSdated19 June,2020directedallAccess

ServiceProvidersthat:

a) Minimum performance requirements for dealingwith the request for assigning of a new

headertoaPrincipalEntity:Toensurethatthereisnopendencyinprocessingnewrequestsfor

registrationsandassignmentofheaders,etc.,eachaccessprovidershall:

(i) ensure that registrationofPrincipalEntity isapprovedwithinsevenworkingdays

fromthedateofsubmissionofallrelevantdetailsbythePrincipalEntity.

(ii) ensure that thePrincipalEntitywhohasapplied for registration isduly informed,

withinthreeworkingdaysfromthedateofsubmissionoftheapplication,aboutthe

deficienciesobservedintheapplicationgivingthereincontactdetailsoftheAccess

Providerforanyfurtherclarification.

(iii) ensurethatheaderisassignedtoaregisteredPrincipalEntityorrejectedwithvalid

reasons, within two working days from the date on which such request for the

assignmentofheaderismade;incaseofrejection,applicantshallbeintimatedofthe

reasonsforsuchrejection.

b) Publishing of information about registered Principal Entities (PEs) and the associated

Headers:EachAccessProvider,inordertobringtransparencyaboutthesenders,shall:

(i) publishonitswebsite,thelatestlistofallPEsregisteredonDLT,irrespectiveofthe

AccessProviderwhohasactuallyregisteredsuchPE,withcompletedetailsofName,

Address,City,PinCode;

(ii) publishonitswebsite,thelatestlistofallheadersassociatedwithaparticularPEwith

detailsofdistinctpurposeofeachheaderforwhichitistobeused;

(iii) facilitateitscustomerstofetchtheinformationmentionedin(i)and(ii)foraparticular

HeaderviasendingSMSwithtext“DETAILSof<Header>”tothenumber1909,whichis

alreadyinuseforUCC-relatedpurposes.

c) Service Agreements to delegate roles to entities and assigning of headers as per the

regulations:EveryAccessProvidershallensurethatnoroleisdelegatedbyittoanyentity

whichisnotinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheregulations,andshall

(i) ensurethatnosuchserviceagreementisenteredintothatdelegatestherole(s)tobe

performedbytheAccessProviderstootherentitiessuchasTelemarketers.

(ii) reviewandrevisetheexistingtermsandconditionsoftheserviceagreementswith

telemarketers, if any, wherein the Access Provider has delegated its role(s) and

functions, such as, Entity Registration, Content/Consent Template Registration,

HeaderRegistrationtotelemarketerasthesearenotincompliancetotheregulations.

82

ListofDirectionsandAmendmentSl.No.

th1. Direction dated 9 February, 2021 issued toM/s Fastway Transmissions Pvt Ltd. under

section13, readwithsub-clause(v)ofclause(b)ofsub-section(1)ofsection11,of the

TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997

th2. Directiondated9 February,2021issuedtoM/sKeralaCommunicatorsCableLtd.under


TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997.

th3. Directiondated9 February,2021issuedtoM/sGTPLHathwayLtd.undersection13,read

withsub-clause(v)ofclause(b)ofsub-section(1)ofsection11,oftheTelecomRegulatory

AuthorityofIndiaAct,1997.

th4. Directiondated9 February,2021issuedtoM/sKALCablesPvtLtdundersection13,read

withsub-clause(v)ofclause(b)ofsub-section(1)ofsection11,oftheTelecomRegulatory

AuthorityofIndiaAct,1997.

th5. Directiondated9 February,2021issuedtoM/sUCNCableNetworkPvt.Ltd.undersection

13,readwithsub-clause(v)ofclause(b)ofsub-section(1)ofsection11,oftheTelecom

RegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997.

(iii) ensurethatanentityotherthanapersonorlegalentity,whosentthemessageormade

avoicecall,causedthemessagetobesentorthevoicecalltobemadeorauthorizedthe

sendingofthemessageormakingofthevoicecall,donotpresentthemselvesasPEfor

registrationorassignmentofnewheaders.

d) RunanawarenesscampaignforPEstogetregistered:EachAccessProvidershallrunamedia

campaignonitsownorincollaborationwithotherAccessProviders,within15daysfromthe

issue of this direction, by publication of advertisements in at least two leading National

newspapersofHindiandEnglish,tomake

(i) PEs, who have not registered so far, are aware that by sending commercial

communicationwithout being registeredwithAccess Providers and not using the

headersassignedtothem,mayviolatetheprovisionsoftheregulations.

(ii) PEsareawareaboutthemeasuresthattheyneedtotakesuchasregistrationofheader

andcontenttemplate,submissionofexistingsubscriber’sconsents,andacquisition

processofconsenttoprotecttheirbusinessinterests.

(iii) PEsareawareaboutthemeasurestheyneedtotakeandalsoaboutmeasurestakenby

theAccessProviders,includingthedetailsofwebportalandrelevantappstocurbthe

menaceofunsolicitedcommercialcommunications.

(iv) PEsareawareaboutthelinksofthespecificpagesofwebsitesoftheAccessProviders

who provide interface to get registeredwith them through an online process and

publishFrequentlyAskedQuestions(FAQs)developedforthispurpose;usevarious

otherchannelsofcampaign,suchasdigitalmedia,toreachouttoPEs.

BROADCASTINGSECTOR

83

st6. Directiondated21 October,2020issuedtoM/sGoodMediaCableNetworkundersection

13,readwithclause(b)ofsub-section(1)ofsection11,oftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthority

ofIndiaAct,1997.

th7. Directiondated16 December,2020issuedtoM/sThamizhagaCableTVcommunicationPvt.

Ltd,M/sManakulaVinayagarDigitalNetworkandM/sKALCablesPvtLtdundersection13,

read with sub-clause (v) of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11, of the Telecom

RegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997.

th8. Directiondated04 December,2020issuedtoM/sDENSatelliteNetworksPvt.Ltd,under


TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997.

th9. Directiondated04 December,2020issuedtoM/sMetroCastNetworkIndiaPvt.Ltd,M/s

JPRNetworkPvt.LtdandM/sSevenStarDotComPvt.Ltdundersection13,readwithsub-

clause(v)ofclause(b)ofsub-section(1)ofsection11,oftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityof

IndiaAct,1997.

th th10. Directiondated18 August,2020regardingamendmenttoDirectiondated24 July,2020

issuedtoallBroadcastersunderSection13,readwithsection11,oftheTelecomRegulatory

AuthorityofIndiaAct,1997

th11. Directiondated24 July,2020issuedtoallBroadcasterstoensurecomplianceofvarious

provision of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth)st(AddressableSystems)Tariff(SecondAmendment)Order,2020dated01 January,2020and

TheTelecommunication(BroadcastingandCable)ServicesInterconnection(Addressablest

Systems)(SecondAmendment)Regulations,2020dated01 January,2020.

DIRECTIONS

thl Directiondated9 February,2021issuedtoM/sFastwayTransmissionsPvtLtd.under

section13,readwithsub-clause(v)ofclause(b)ofsub-section(1)ofsection11,ofthe


th2.13.8 Through this direction dated 9 February, 2021M/s Fastway Transmissions Pvt Ltdwas

directed toensure compliance to theTelecommunication (Broadcasting&Cable) Services

(Eighth)(AddressableSystems)Tarifforder,2017andtheTelecommunication(Broadcasting

&Cable)Services (StandardsofQualityofServiceandConsumerProtection(Addressablerd

Systems)Regulations,2017,dated3 March,2017.

thl Directiondated9 February,2021issuedtoM/sKeralaCommunicatorsCableLtd.under



th2.13.9 Throughthisdirectiondated9 February,2021,M/sKeralaCommunicatorsCableLtdwas

directed toensure compliance to theTelecommunication (Broadcasting&Cable) Services

(StandardsofQualityofServiceandConsumerProtection(AddressableSystems)Regulations,rd2017,dated3 March,2017.

84

thl Directiondated9 February,2021issuedtoM/sGTPLHathwayLtd.undersection13,

readwithsub-clause(v)ofclause(b)ofsub-section(1)ofsection11,oftheTelecom

RegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997

th2.13.10Throughthisdirectiondated9 February,2021,M/sGTPLHathwayLtdwasdirectedtoensure

compliancetotheTelecommunication(Broadcasting&Cable)Services(Eighth)(Addressable

Systems) Tariff order, 2017, the Telecommunication (Broadcasting & Cable) Services

Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulation, 2017 and the Telecommunication

(Broadcasting&Cable)ServicesStandardsofQualityofServiceandConsumerProtectionrd(AddressableSystems)Regulations,2017,dated3 March,2017.

thl Directiondated9 February,2021issuedtoM/sKALCablesPvtLtdundersection13,

readwithsub-clause(v)ofclause(b)ofsub-section(1)ofsection11,oftheTelecom


th Throughthisdirectiondated9 February,2021,M/sKALCablesPvtLtdwasdirectedtoensure

compl iance to the Telecommunicat ion (Broadcast ing and Cable) Services

(Eighth)(AddressableSystems)TariffOrder,2017,andtheTelecommunication(Broadcasting

& Cable) Services Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Addressable

Systems)Regulations,2017,dated3rdMarch,2017.

thl Directiondated9 February,2021issuedtoM/sUCNCableNetworkPvt.Ltd.under



th Throughthisdirectiondated9 February,2021,M/sUCNCablesNetworkPvtLtdwasdirected

to ensure compliance to the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services

(Eighth)(AddressableSystems)Tarifforder,2017.

th l Direction dated 16 December, 2020 issued to M/s Thamizhaga cable TV

communicationPvt.Ltd,M/sManakulaVinayagarDigitalNetworkandM/sKALCables

PvtLtdundersection13,readwithsub-clause(v)ofclause(b)ofsub-section(1)of

section11,oftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997

th Throughthisdirectiondated16 December,2020,theaboveserviceprovidersweredirectedtord

ensure compliancewith theprovisionsof the InterconnectionRegulationdated3 March,rd

2017&QualityofServiceRegulationdated3 March,2017regardinglistingofchannelsin

electronicprogrammeguide.

thl Directiondated4 December2020toM/sDENSatelliteNetworksPvt.Ltd,undersection13,

read with sub-clause (v) of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11, of the Telecom


th Throughthisdirectiondated4 December,2020,M/sDENSatelliteNetworksPvt.Ltd,was

directedtoensurecompliancetotheTelecommunication(BroadcastingandCable)Services

(Eighth)(AddressableSystems)TariffOrder,2017,andtheTelecommunication(Broadcasting

andCable)ServicesStandardsofQualityofServiceandConsumerProtection(Addressablerd


85

thl Directiondated4 December,2020toM/sMetroCastNetworkIndiaPvt.Ltd,M/sJPR

NetworkPvt.LtdandM/sSevenStarDotComPvt.Ltdundersection13,readwithsub-

clause (v) of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11, of the TelecomRegulatory


th Throughthisdirectiondated4 December,2020,M/sMetroCastNetworkIndiaPvt.Ltd,M/s

JPRNetworkPvt.LtdandM/sSevenStarDotComPvt.Ltdweredirectedtoensurecompliance

totheTelecommunication(BroadcastingandCable)Services(Eighth)(AddressableSystems)

TariffOrder,2017,theTelecommunication(BroadcastingandCable)ServicesInterconnection

(Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017, and the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and

Cable) Services Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Addressablerd


stl Directiondated21 October,2020toM/sGoodMediaCableNetworkundersection13,

read with clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11, of the Telecom Regulatory


st Throughthisdirectiondated21 October,2020,M/sGoodMediaCableNetworkwasdirected

toensurecompliancewiththeprovisionsoftheTelecommunication(BroadcastingandCable)rdServicesInterconnection(AddressableSystems)Regulations,2017dated3 March,2017and

theTelecommunication(BroadcastingandCable)ServicesStandardsofQualityofServiceandrdConsumer Protection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 dated 3 March, 2017,

regardinglistingofchannelsinelectronicprogrammeguide.

th thl Directiondated18 August,2020regardingamendmenttoDirectiondated24 July,

2020issuedtoallBroadcastersunderSection13,readwithsection11,oftheTelecom


th th TheAuthorityon24 July,2020directedallthebroadcasterstoreporttotheAuthorityby10

August, 2020, name, nature, language,maximum retail prices permonth of channels and

maximumretailpricepermonthofbouquetsofchannels,orcompositionofbouquetsandalso

amendReferenceInterconnectedOffer(RIO)incompliancewiththeprovisionsoftheTAO

2020andInterconnectionRegulations,2020.

TwoInterimApplications(IAs)filedinWritPetition(L)Nos.117of2020and147of2020werethlistedandheardbyaDivisionBenchoftheHon’bleHighCourtofBombayon7 August,2020,

whichpassedanorderdirectingthatalltheIAsfiledbypetitioners-broadcasters,belisted

beforetheDivisionBenchwhichhadheardtheWritPetitions.

All the IAs by the petitioners-broadcasters were accordingly listed before the concernedthDivisionBenchoftheHon’bleHighCourtofBombayon12 August,2020whereinduringthe

courseofproceedingsbeforetheHon’bleCourt,theAuthorityassuredtheHon’bleCourtthatth th

dateof10 August,2020,asprescribedinthedirectiondated24 July,2020,wouldbeextendedth

to26 August,2020;

th Therefore,theAuthoritynotifiedthatthedirectiondated24 July,2020,standsmodifiedtothe

th thextentthatthedateof10 August,2020,asprescribedinthedirectiondated24 July,2020

thshallstandsubstitutedby26 August,2020.

86

thl Directiondated24 July,2020issuedtoallBroadcasterstoensurecomplianceofvarious

provision of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth)st

(Addressable Systems) Tariff (Second Amendment) Order, 2020 dated 01 January,

2020andTheTelecommunication(BroadcastingandCable)ServicesInterconnectionst(Addressable Systems) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2020 dated 01 January,

2020

InthemonthsofJune-July2020,fewbroadcastersstartedaskingDPOstoacceptnewbouquets

withrevisedpricesandonemajorbroadcasterdiscontinueditslow-pricedbouquetssothat

consumerstakenewhigherpricedbouquettherebyincreasingtheirmonthlypayoutandthatst

thesaidbroadcasterannouncedtodiscontinueitslow-pricedbouquetswitheffectfrom1

August,2020forsubscription.Thenewbouquetsbeingpushedbythesaidbroadcasterwere

notcompliantwiththeprovisionsoftheTAO2020andthatthebroadcasterdidnotevencare

toinformTRAI,inclearviolationofreportingrequirementsprovidedforinthePrincipalTariff

order2017.

Suchbroadcasters,inutterdisregardtothesettledprinciplesandextantregulations,started

changingtheserviceofferingsinviolationofTariffAmendmentOrder2020byunilaterally

increasingthepricesofbouquetsandarealsosimultaneouslydiscontinuingthelow-priced

bouquetsdisturbingthestatusquotherebyadverselyaffectingtheinterestsoftheconsumers.

Further,someDPOshavebroughttothenoticeoftheAuthoritythatmanybroadcastersarenot

willingtosigntheagreementsaspertheprovisionsofTariffAmendmentOrder2020and

InterconnectionAmendmentRegulations2020andastheRIOsofferedbyBroadcastersare

notincompliancewiththeextantregulationsandorders,DPOsarenotwillingtoenterinto

suchnon-compliantagreementstherebycreatingaregulatoryvacuuminthesector.

TheAuthorityobservedthattherewascompletead-hocismprevailingintheindustrywherein

allinterconnectionandotheragreementsaregettingrenewedforone/twomonthsthereby

creatinguncertaintyinthesectorandcausingseriousconcernregardingtimelycompletionof

agreementsandprovisionofsignal/revenueshareetc.forthehealthyandorderlygrowthof

thesector.

ItwasalsonoticedthattherestraintexercisedbyTRAIquanottakingcoercivemeasurevisa

vis the non-implementation of the impugned Tariff Amendment Order 2020 and

InterconnectionRegulations2020wasunfairnotonlytoconsumersbutalsotothoseDTH

operatorsandMSOetc.,whohavealreadycompliedwiththeirpartoftheobligationasperthe

Interconnection Regulations 2020 and Tariff AmendmentOrder 2020 and that suchDTH

operatorsandMSOsalsorepresentedtoTRAIthattheywerenotabletoimplementremaining

partoftheAmendmentTariffOrder2020duetoabsolutenon-performanceoftheobligations

bysomeBroadcasters.

Inviewofthefactthat(i)therevisedpricesannouncedbysomebroadcastersweretotakesteffectfrom1 August,2020;(ii)theAuthoritywaslegallyboundtoprotecttheconsumers’

interest and cannot abdicate its responsibility; (iii) therewas everypossibility that other

broadcasterscouldalsostartsimilarmalpracticestherebynullifyingtheverylegalframework

laid down for regulation of broadcasting sector by TRAI resulting in total chaos and

87

CONSULTATIONPAPERS

thl ConsultationPaperdated12 March,2021on“LicensingFrameworkforSatellite-based

connectivityforlowbitrateapplications”

rd DoTthroughitsletterdated23 November,2020requestedTRAI,undersection11(1)(a)ofthe

TRAIAct,tofurnishrecommendationson"LicensingFrameworktoenabletheprovisioningof

Satellitebasedlowbit-rateapplicationsforbothcommercialandcaptiveusage".

ConsideringtheconstraintsoftheexistingprovisionsinrespectofproposedSatellitebased

lowbit-rateservices,DoThasstatedthat there isaneedforsuitable licensing framework

providingsuchservicesbothoncommercialaswellascaptiveusage.Inviewofthis,DoThas

requestedTRAItoexamineall the factorsholisticallyandrecommendenablingprovisions

undertheexistinglicensingframeworkofDoT,ornewlicensingframeworkmaybesuggested

includingtheentryfee,licensefee,bankguarantee,NOCCcharges,spectrumusagecharges/

royaltyfee,etc.forsuchservicesforbothcommercialandcaptiveusage.

ListofConsultationPapersSl.No.

th1. Consultation Paper dated 12 March, 2021 on “Licensing Framework for Satellite-based

connectivityforlowbitrateapplications”.

st2. ConsultationPaperdated1 September,2020on“ReviewofTheQualityofService(Codeof

PracticeforMeteringandBillingAccuracy)Regulations,2006”.

th3. ConsultationPaperdated20 August,2020on“EnablingUnbundlingofDifferentLayers

ThroughDifferentialLicensing”.

th4. Consultation Paper dated 20 August, 2020 on “Roadmap to Promote Broadband

ConnectivityandEnhancedBroadbandSpeed”.

nd5. Consultation Paper dated 22 April, 2020 on “Methodology of applying SUC under the

weightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment,incasesofSpectrumSharing”.

uncertaintyinthemindsofconsumers;and(iv)anyfurtherdelayinimplementationofthe

Tariff Amendment Order 2020 and Interconnection Amendment Regulations 2020would

adverselyaffecttheinterestofconsumersresultingintoirreparablelosstotheconsumers.

th Therefore,TRAIon24 July,2020,issuedaDirectiontoBroadcasterstoensurecomplianceof

thvariousprovisionsoftheandtoreporttoTRAIonorbefore10 August,2020,thechangein

name,nature,language,maximumretailprices,permonth,ofchannelsandmaximumretail

price,permonth,orcompositionofbouquetsetc.

2.9 In addition, TRAI issued following Consultation Papers to seek views of the various

stakeholdersonthevariousissues:

TELECOMSECTOR

88

st Inthisregard,aConsultationPaperwasreleasedon21 March,2021on"LicensingFramework

for Satellite based connectivity for low bit rate applications", seeking inputs from the

stakeholders.

TheConsultationPaperisavailableinTRAI’swebsitewww.trai.gov.in.

stl ConsultationPaperdated1 September,2020on“ReviewofTheQualityofService(Code

ofPracticeforMeteringandBillingAccuracy)Regulations,2006”

st TheAuthorityon1 September,2020issuedaconsultationpaperon“ReviewofTheQualityof

Service(CodeofPracticeforMeteringandBillingAccuracy)Regulations,2006,”forseekingtheth

commentsofthestakeholders.Thelastdateforwrittencommentsbystakeholderswas27th rd

October,2020andcountercomments, was10 November,2020.TheOHDwasheldon3

March, 2021.The paper deliberates upon the guidelines for metering and billing in the

changingscenarioofthetelecomworld,thepossibilitiesoftechnologicalsolutionstohelp

conductauditinamoreefficientandeffectivemanner,andtocheckifthereisaneedtoreview

thequalityofService(CodeforMeteringandBillingAccuracy)Regulations,2006.

thl ConsultationPaperdated20 August2020on“EnablingUnbundlingofDifferentLayers

ThroughDifferentialLicensing”

th DoT through its letter dated 8 May, 2019, inter alia, informed that the National Digital

CommunicationsPolicy(NDCP)2018,underits‘PropelIndia’mission,envisagesoneofthe

strategies as ‘Reforming the licensing and regulatory regime to catalyse Investments and

InnovationandpromoteEaseofDoingBusiness’.Enablingunbundlingofdifferentlayers(e.g.,

infrastructure,network,services,andapplicationlayer)throughdifferentiallicensingisoneofththeactionplansforfulfillingtheaforementionedstrategy.Throughthesaidletterdated8 May,

2019,DoT,interalia,requestedTRAItofurnishrecommendationsonenablingunbundlingof

different layers throughdifferential licensing, under the terms of theTelecomRegulatory

AuthorityofIndiaAct,1997,asamended.

Earlier,TRAIhadsoughtinputsfromstakeholdersonthebroadframeworkforunbundlingof

license through a Pre-consultation paper on "Enabling Unbundling of Different Layersth

ThroughDifferentialLicensing"dated9 December,2019.

Based on the inputs received from the stakeholders on the Pre-Consultation Paper,th

internationalpracticesandinternalanalysis,aConsultationPaperwasreleasedon20 August,

2020on“EnablingUnbundlingofDifferentLayersThroughDifferentialLicensing”.

TheConsultationPaperisavailableonTRAI’swebsitewww.trai.gov.in.

thl Consultation Paper dated 20 August, 2020 on “Roadmap to Promote Broadband

ConnectivityandEnhancedBroadbandSpeed”

th TRAI on 20 August, 2020 released the Consultation Paper on “Roadmap to Promote

BroadbandConnectivityandEnhancedBroadbandSpeed”.

Increasingreliableandhigh-speedbroadbandconnectivityinthecountryhasbeeninfocusof

theGovernmentandtheAuthoritysince2004.Numberofpolicyandregulatoryinitiatives

havebeentakeninthepasttoreachthepresentstate.Constantdevelopmentshappeninginthe

89

fieldofICTsareputtingcontinuouspressureontheGovernment,theAuthority,andtheTSPsto

further improve the penetration and performance of broadband networks. Efforts are

continuingtomeettheever-growingdemandandexpectationsofconsumers.Manystrategies

have been identified in the NDCP-2018 to improve the penetration and performance of

broadbandnetworks.Suchstrategiesneedtobeconvertedintoactionablepoints.

th Further,DoTthroughitsletterdated26 April,2019requestedtheAuthoritytofurnishits

recommendationsasperSection11(1)(a)ofTRAIAct1997,asamended,onthefollowing

points:

(a) “Differentspeedsfordifferentcategoriesi.e.fixedvsMobilewithupload/downloadspeeds

defined;

(b) Howdifferentcategoriesofbroadbandspeedssuchasbasicbroadband,highbroadband&

Ultra-HighBroadbandetc.canbedefinedasinEurope;and

(c) TheroadmaptoenhanceBroadbandspeedtoachievetheNDCP-2018objectiveof50Mbps.”

th th DoT,throughtwootherseparatereferencesdated8 May,2019&6 June,2019soughtthe

recommendationsoftheAuthorityforimplementingNDCP-2018strategies“Byencouraging

innovative approaches to infrastructure creation and access including through resale and

Virtual Network Operators (VNO)” and “Promoting broadband connectivity through

innovativeandalternativetechnologies”,respectively.Bothstrategiesarepartofthemission

“ConnectIndia:CreatingaRobustDigitalCommunicationInfrastructure”.

Withthisbackground,theAuthority, throughthisConsultationPaper intendedtoseekthe

inputsofstakeholderson(i)definingfixedandmobilebroadband,(ii)innovativeapproaches

forinfrastructurecreation,(iii)promotingbroadbandconnectivity,and(iv)measurestobe

takenforenhancingbroadbandspeed.

ndl ConsultationPaperdated22 April,2020on“MethodologyofapplyingSUCunderthe

weightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment,incasesofSpectrumSharing”

TRAI released Consultation Paper on “Methodology of applying Spectrum Usage Charges

(SUC)undertheweightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment,incasesofSpectrumSharing”nddated22 April,2020.

th DoTthroughitsletterdated15 January,2020,inter-alia,informedthattheexistingguidelines

thforSharingofAccessSpectrumbyAccessServiceProvidersissuedbyDoTon24 September,

2015provide that theSUCrateofeachof the licenseespostsharing increasesby0.5%of

Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR). DoT also informed that it has received representations

requestingthattheincrementalSUCrateof0.5%postsharingshouldbeappliedonlytothe

particularspectrumbandwhichhasbeenallowedtobesharedbetweentwolicensees,andnot

ontheentirespectrumheldbythelicensees,sincesharingispermittedinaparticularband.In

this background,DoT requestedTRAI to furnish its recommendations on (i)whether the

incremental0.5%inSUCrateincasesofsharingofspectrumshouldbeappliedonlyonthe

specificbandinwhichsharingistakingplace;ortotheoverallWeightedAverageRateofSUC,

whichhasbeenderivedfromallbandsand(ii)anyotherrecommendationsdeemedfitforthe

purpose,underTRAIAct1997,asamended.

90

CONSULTATIONPAPERS

thl Consultation Paper dated 7 December, 2020 on MIB back reference on TRAI's

thRecommendationsdated19 November,2014on“RegulatoryFrameworkforPlatform

Services”andMIBreferenceonTRAI'sRecommendationson“PlatformServicesofferedth

byDTHOperators”dated13 November,2019

rd th MIBvideitsletterdated23 October,2020referredbackTRAI'sRecommendationsdated19

November,2014on"RegulatoryFrameworkforPlatformServices"asperprovisotoSection

11(1) of the TRAI Act 1997, for reconsideration of the recommendations that have been

approvedwithmodifications.

rd Further, MIB vide it’s another letter dated 23 October, 2020 referred to TRAI'sthRecommendationsonRegulatoryFrameworkforPlatformServicesdated19 November,2014

thandTRAI'sRecommendationson"PlatformServicesOfferedbyDTHOperators"dated13

November, 2019. Vide this second reference, MIB has proposed to adopt the certain

recommendationson four issues, in respectofPlatformServicesofferedbyMSOsalsoby

appropriatelyreplacingtheword"DTH"with"MSO"andrequestedTRAItofurnishitsviews

ontheaboveproposal.

The Authority considered both the above-mentioned letters together. The Authority had

forwardeditsrecommendationson“RegulatoryFrameworkforPlatformServices”in2014

and lotofdevelopmentshavehappenedsincethen.Further,thereareafewnewissuesthatrdhavebeenraisedbyMIBinitsabovereferredletterdated23 October,2020vis-a-visapplying

certainrecommendationsmadeforDTHoperatorsin2019onMSOsalso.Therefore,inline

withitspractise,TRAIshallprovideitsrecommendationsontheabove-mentionedletterstoth

MIB after a due consultation process. Therefore, TRAI on 7 December, 2020, released

ConsultationPaperforseekingcommentsofallthestakeholders.

ListofConsultationPapersSl.No.

th1. Consultation Paper dated 7 December, 2020 on MIB back reference on TRAI'sthRecommendations dated 19 November, 2014 on “Regulatory Framework for Platform

Services”andMIBreferenceonTRAI'sRecommendationson“PlatformServicesofferedbyth

DTHOperators”dated13 November,2019.

nd2. Consultation Paper dated 22 April, 2020 on “Framework for Technical Compliance of

Conditional Access System (CAS) and Subscriber Management Systems (SMS) for

Broadcasting&CableServices”.

Inthisregard,aConsultationPaperon“MethodologyofapplyingSpectrumUsageCharges

(SUC)undertheweightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment,incasesofSpectrumSharing”nd

wasreleasedon22 April,2020seekingcomments/countercommentsfromthestakeholders

ontheissuesraisedintheConsultationPaper.

TheConsultationPapermaybebrowsedintheTRAI’swebsitewww.trai.gov.in.

BROADCASTING&CABLETVSECTOR

91

ndl ConsultationPaperdated22 April,2020on“FrameworkforTechnicalComplianceof

Conditional Access System (CAS) and Subscriber Management Systems (SMS) for

Broadcasting&CableServices”

nd TRAI on 22 April, 2020, released Consultation Paper on “Framework for Technical

ComplianceofConditionalAccessSystem(CAS)andSubscriberManagementSystems(SMS)

forBroadcasting&CableServices”.Throughthisconsultationpaper,TRAIsoughtcommentsof

thestakeholdersonthefollowingissues:-

(i) ListalltheimportantfeaturesofCAS&SMStoadequatelycoveralltherequirements

forDigitalAddressableSystemswithafocusonthecontentprotectionandthefactual

reporting of subscriptions. Please provide exhaustive list, including the features

specified in Schedule III of Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services

Interconnection(AddressableSystems)Regulations,2017.

(ii) Asperauditprocedure(incompliancewithScheduleIII),acertificatefromCAS/SMS

vendorsufficestoconfirmthecompliance.DoyouthinkthatalltheCAS&SMScomply

withtherequisitefeaturesasenumeratedabove?Ifnot,whatadditionalchecksor

compliancemeasuresarerequiredtoimprovethecomplianceofCAS/SMS?

(iii) DoyouconsiderthatthereisaneedtodefineaframeworkforCAS/SMSsystemsto

benchmarktheminimumrequirementsofthesystembeforethesecanbedeployedby

anyDPOinIndia?

(iv) Whatsafeguardsarenecessarysothatconsumersaswellasotherstakeholdersdonot

sufferforwantofregularupgrade/configurationbyCAS/SMSvendors?

(v) WhoshouldbeentrustedwiththetaskofdefiningtheframeworkforCAS&SMSin

India?Justifyyourchoicewithreasonsthereof.Describethestructureandfunctioning

procedureofsuchentrustedentity.

(vi) Whatshouldbethemechanism/structure,soastoensurethatstakeholdersengage

activelyinthedecision-makingprocessformakingtestspecifications/procedures?

SupportyourresponsewithanyexistingmodeladaptedinIndiaorglobally.

(vii) OncethetechnicalframeworkforCAS&SMSisdeveloped,pleasesuggestasuitable

modelforcompliancemechanism

a) Should there be a designated agency to carry out the testing and certification to ensure

compliancetosuchframework?Oralternativelyshouldtheworkoftestingandcertificationbe

entrusted with accredited testing labs empanelled by the standards making agency/

government?Pleaseprovidedetailedsuggestionincludingthebenefitsandlimitations(ifany)

ofthesuggestedmodel.

b) What precaution should be taken at the planning stage for smooth implementation of

standardization and certification of CAS and SMS in Indian market? Do you foresee any

challengesinimplementation?

c) Whatshouldbetheoversightmechanismtoensurecontinuedcompliance?Pleaseprovide

yourcommentswithreasoningsharingthenational/internationalbestpractices

92

(i) Onceanewframeworkisestablished,whatshouldbethemechanismtoensurethatall

CAS/SMScomplywith thespecifications?ShouldexistinganddeployedCAS/SMS

systemsbemandatedtoconformtotheframework?Ifyes,pleasesuggestthetimelines.

Ifno,howwillthelevelplayingfieldandassuranceofcommonminimumframeworkbe

achieved.

(ii) DoyouthinkstandardizationandcertificationofCASandSMSwillbringeconomic

efficiency,improvequalityofserviceandimproveend-consumerexperience?Kindly

providedetailedcomments.

(iii) Anyotherissuerelevanttothepresentconsultation.

REVIEWOFWORKINGANDOPERATIONOFTHETELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOF

INDIA

TheworkingandoperationofTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiainthespecificcontextof

policyframeworkisreviewedinthefollowingparagraphsinrespectof(a)RuralTelephone

Network;(b)ExpansionofTelephoneNetwork;(c)EntryofPrivateSectorinbasicandvalue

added service; (d) Technical Compatibility and effective interconnection with service

providers; (e) Telecommunication Technology; (f) Implementation of National Telecom

Policy;(g)QualityofService;and(h)UniversalServiceObligationareelaboratedbelow:-

(a) RuralTelephoneNetwork

st Ason31 March,2021theruralwirelinesubscriberbasestoodat1.67millionascomparedtost

2.24millionattheendof31 March,2020,registeringadeclineof25.45%overtheyear.

(b) ExpansionofTelephoneNetwork

st2.10 Thetotalwirelinesubscriberbaseason31 March,2021stoodat20.24millionascomparedtost20.22millionsubscriberson31 March,2020,registeringanincreaseof0.11%duringtheyear

2020-21. Outof20.24millionwirelinesubscribers,18.57millionareurbansubscribersand

1.67millionareruralsubscribers.

st2.11 TheWirelessSubscriberbaseis1180.96millionason31 March,2021incomparisontothest

subscriberbaseof1157.75millionason31 March,2020. Thesubscriberbaseincreasedby

27.18millionsubscribersduringthefinancialyear2020-21.

(c) EntryofPrivateSectorinbasicandvalue-addedservice

st2.12 Ason31 March,2021,followingarethenumberoflicensesunderUL/UL(AS)/UASL/CMTS

toprovideAccessServices:

NumberoflicenceNameoflicence

UnifiedLicence(UL)authorisationsforAccessServices 14

UnifiedAccessServiceLicence(UASL) 61

CellularMobileTelephoneService(CMTS)Licence 2

93

UnifiedLicense(VirtualNetworkOperator)[UL(VNO)]for AccessService 16

providingAccessService Category‘B’Services 110

No.ofNLDLicence(BeforeULregime) 21

No.ofNLDLicence(UnderULregime) 11

[ason30thJune2021(underULRegime),30thJune2017(NLD)

No.ofILDLicence(BeforeULregime) 21

No.ofILDLicence(UnderULregime) 6

ason15thDecember2015(ILD),Source:DoT]

Source:DoT

(d) TechnicalCompatibilityandeffectiveinterconnectionwithserviceproviders

2.13 Under the TRAI Act, the Authority is mandated to fix the terms and conditions of

interconnectivityandtoensuretechnicalcompatibilityandeffectiveinterconnectionbetween

serviceproviders.Interconnectionliesatthecoreofthetelecombusinessinamulti-operator

environment.Thetermsandconditionsofinterconnectionneedtoberegulatedtoensurea

levelplayingfieldamongserviceproviders.Accordingly, thefollowingmeasuresregarding

interconnectionweretakenbyTRAIduringthereportingperiod:-

“The Telecommunication Interconnection Usage Charges (Sixteenth Amendment)thRegulations,2020”dated17 April,2020

th TRAI on 17 April, 2020 issued “The Telecommunication Interconnection Usage Charges

(SixteenthAmendment)Regulations,2020”.ThroughtheseRegulations,theregimeoffixed

InternationalTerminationcharges(ITC)@Re.0.30perminutehasbeenrevisedtoforbearance

regimewithinaprescribedrangeofRe.0.35perminute toRe.0.65perminute.Further, to

ensurethelevelplayingfieldbetweenstandaloneandintegratedInternationalLong-Distance

Operators (ILDOs), it is mandated that an Access Service Provider shall offer the non-

discriminatoryrateofITCtoeveryonei.e.toitsownassociatedILDOaswellastostandalonestILDOs.TheseRegulationscameintoforcefrom1 May,2020.

(e) TelecommunicationTechnology

2.14 FollowingtechnologicalmeasuresweretakenbytheAuthoritytoenhancetheoutreachand

interactionoftheAuthoritywiththeTelecomConsumers:

i. ChannelSelectorApp:

TRAI'sprevailingregulations/ordersforthetelevisionandbroadcastingsectorgavefreedom

toconsumerstoselecttelevisionchannelstheywanttowatch.Inordertohelpconsumersfor

selectionofchannelswiththeimplementationofthenewframework,TRAIhasdevelopedthisth

ChannelSelectorApp&launchedon25 June,2020forbothAndroid&iOSplatform.ThisApp

facilitatesDTH/Cablesubscriberstochecktheirownsubscription,knowcompleteplatform

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offeringsprovidedbytheirDTH/CableOperator,getoptimizedsolutionandsubmitmodify

subscriptionrequest.

ii. PortalforExemptionfromSMSTerminationCharges:

This Portal facilitates Government entities to online apply for the exemption from SMS

terminationchargesupto5paisaforregisteredheadersunderRegulation35ofTCCCPR,2018.

This portal also helps Government entities to know about the renewal dates and other

informationrelatedtothe5paisaexemption.

iii. HeaderInformationPortal:

TheHeaderInformationPortalfacilitatesCustomerstoknowthesenderofCommercialand

Governmentawarenesscommunications.Thisportalmayalsohelpotherprincipalentitiesto

checkwhetheranylook-alikeheaderisregisteredbyanyotherentity.Anyonecanquerya

particularheaderordownloadthecompletelist.TSPscanuploadthelistofalpha-numeric

headersassignedtoPrincipalEntities(Businessorlegalentities).

iv. DNDApp–APISpecification:

WiththereleaseofTCCCP,Regulation2018,majorchangeswerebeingdoneregardingthe

implementationofprovisionsoftheregulation.Accordingly,DNDAppneededupdationasper

regulation. Hence, API specifications were created to securely communicate with service

providerssystems.WiththeseAPIspecificationsserviceprovidersshalldeveloptheirAPIsfor

integratinginDNDApp.

v. E-office:

st DrP.D.Vaghela,Chairman,TRAIon1 January,2021inauguratedE-Office.Withtheadoptionof

eOffice,TRAIbecamelargelyapaperlessorganizationwhereinallfileworkishandledthrough

electronic file mode. This adoption of eoffice shall ensure greater accountability and

transparencyinadministration,reducecostsincurredinstorageandpreservationofphysical

files,facilitateofficerstodisposeofffilesfrom“anywhereandanytime”therebybyimproving

efficiencyoffiledisposal,enable24/7accesstofilesandimportantpaperstoseniorofficers,

etc.

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vi. ReportingAutomation:

IT division developed aData Collection andAnalytical Reports Portal,whichwill provide

automatedDataCollection,ProcessingandReportsGenerationforvariousdivisionsinTRAI.

Thestakeholders,identifiedbyconcerneddivision,willsubmitthedatawithvalidloginid&

password.TheprocesseddataandanalyticalreportsarebeingcreatedbyusingTableauand

are available in the system for the concerned division to download. Presently the NSL-II

division is using the system for Performance Monitoring Report (PMR). Later on, once

customization forNSL-I&QoSdivisionsaredone, thesedivisionsshallbeable touse the

system.

vii. DataAnalyticsandCloudServices:

Tocreatemeaningfulinsights&informationfromthedatacollectionthroughcrowdsourcing&

fromrespectiveserviceproviders,dataanalysisisregularlybeingdoneusingfree/licensed

tools&technologyforinternalreportgenerationsforvariousdivisionsofTRAI.Also,majority

oftheTRAIapplicationsarehostedonCloudenvironmentthusleveragingtheopportunityof

savingsintermsoftimeandinfrastructurecosts.

viii. InfrastructureUpgradation:

1. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, all official work was done online including meetings/video

conferencing.

Tofacilitatetheworkfollowingweredone:

a. 50MbpsNICNETlinewasestablishedbetweenNICandTRAIforsecurelyaccessinge-

office&videoconferencing.

b. 16 dual bandWiFi routerswere installed for Sr. Officers for access to high-speed

internet/broadband.

c. 35WebCamsandHeadphoneswereprovidedtoDy.Advisorsandabovelevelofficers

forattendingtoe-meetings.

d. 20highspeedscanners&100DSCswereprocuredforimplementationofe-office.

ConsumerOutreach:

Giventheimportanceofreachingouttoconsumersalloverthecountry,TRAIhasapublic

interfacewithtelecomsubscribersthroughitswebsite,socialmediaplatformssuchastwitter,

Facebook,YouTubechannelandthroughConsumerOutreachProgrammesconductedacross

the country. TRAI has instituted a system for registration of consumer organizations as

Consumer Advocacy Groups (CAGs). The registered CAGs act as interlocutors between

consumers,TelecomServiceProviders&TRAIandassistTRAIinconsumereducation.TRAIis

alsoconstantlyworkingforenhancingconsumerawarenessabouttheirrightsandservice-

related issues by bringing out educational/publicity material and undertaking media

campaigns in the print and electronicmedia. During the pandemic TRAI continued these

programmesthroughdigitalmode.

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(f) ImplementationofNationalTelecomPolicy

2.15 The National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP-2018) envisages to encourage and

facilitatesharingofactiveinfrastructurebyenhancingthescopeofInfrastructureProviders

(IPs)andpromotingandincentivizingdeploymentofcommonsharable,passiveaswellas

active,infrastructure.

TRAI had suo-motu issued the Consultation Paper on “Review of Scope of Infrastructureth

ProvidersCategory-I(IP-I)Registration”on16 August,2019.Afterdueconsultationprocess,

TRAI issued Recommendations on ‘Enhancement of Scope of Infrastructure ProvidersthCategory-I(IP-I)Registration’dated13 March,2020andsenttoSecretary(Telecom),DOTfor

consideration.

th DoTvideitsletterNo.10-12/2012-CS-III(Pt.II)/236dated18 November,2020informedthat

TRAIRecommendationson“EnhancementofScopeofInfrastructureProvidersCategory-I(IP-thI)Registration”dated13 March,2020hasbeenconsideredandsomeclarificationswere

soughtfromTRAI.Afterduedeliberations,TRAIsentitsresponsetoSecretary,DoTvideletterth

No.R-16/1/(1)/2021-NSL-Idated11 January,2021.

th DoTvideitsletterdated08 May,2019requestedTRAItofurnishrecommendationsonthe

strategiesofNationalDigitalCommunicationsPolicy2018whichinteraliaincludes‘Ensuring

adequatenumberingresources,bydevelopingaunifiednumberingplan for fixed lineand

mobileservices.’TRAIafterduedeliberationsofConsultationprocessanddiscussionswith

stakeholders, had finalized its recommendations on “Ensuring Adequate NumberingthResourcesforFixedLineandMobileServices’andsenttoSecretary,DoTvideletterdated29

May,2020.

(g) QualityofService(QoS)

2.16 TRAIhas laiddownthebenchmark forvariousQualityofServiceparameters through the

followingregulations:

(a) TheStandardsofQualityofServiceofBasicTelephoneService(wireline)andCellular

MobileTelephoneServiceRegulations,2009.

(b) TheQualityofServiceofBroadbandServiceRegulations,2006.

(c) TheStandardsofQualityofServiceforWirelessDataServicesRegulations,2012.

The regulations forWireline,CellularandBroadbandprovides thenetworkandcustomer

parameters for compliance. On non-compliance of parameters, there is a provision for

imposingFinancialDisincentivesonServiceProviders.

TheQualityofServiceperformanceofserviceprovidersagainstthebenchmarksareassessed

through compliance reports submitted by service providers. The compliance reports for

CellularMobile Telephone Services,WirelessData Services, Basic services (Wireline) and

Broadbandservicesaresubmittedonaquarterlybasis.

TheQoSregulationswerereviewedin2019andTRAI issued“TheStandardsofQualityof

ServiceofBasicTelephoneService(Wireline)andCellularMobileTelephoneService(seventhst

Amendment)Regulations,2019”dated1 November,2019.

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Valueof“CountsofUCCforRTMsfor

onecalendarmonth”

Amountoffinancialdisincentives

inRupees

(a) MorethanzerobutnotexceedingHundred Rupeesonethousandpercount

(b) Morethanhundredbutnotexceeding Maximumfinancialdisincentivesat

onethousand (a)plusRupeesfivethousandpercount

exceedinghundred

(c) Morethanonethousand Maximumfinancialdisincentivesat

(b)plusRupeestenthousandpercount

exceedingonethousand

ForensuringcompliancewiththeQualityofServicebenchmarksandtoprotecttheinterestsof

theconsumers,TRAIhadprescribedthesystemoffinancialdisincentivesthroughtheSecondth

Amendmentregulationsissuedon8 November,2012. Theseregulationsprovidefinancial

disincentivesfornon-compliancewiththebenchmarks,delayinsubmissionofcompliance

reportsandfalsereporting.

Fordelayinsubmissionofcompliancereportfinancialdisincentivesof` 5,000/-perday.For

falsereporting,thefinancialdisincentiveis 10,00,000/-perparameter.

ThedetailsofthefinancialdisincentivesforNon-Compliancearegivenbelow:

CellularServices

(i) Not exceeding Rupees one lakh per parameter for first non-compliance with the

benchmarkinaquarter,

(ii) Non-compliancewiththebenchmarkofthesameparameterconsecutivelyintwoor

more subsequent quarters, not exceedingRupees one and a half lakhs for second

consecutivecontraventionandnotexceedingRupeestwolakhsforeachconsecutive

contraventionthereof;

(iii) Non-compliance with the benchmark for the same parameter in any subsequent

quarter,whichisnotaconsecutivenon-compliance,Rupeesonelakhperparameter.

BasicServices(Wireline)

For non-compliance with the benchmarks the financial disincentive is ` 50,000/- per

parameter.

BroadbandServices

Fornon-compliancewiththebenchmarksfirstinstancethefinancialdisincentiveis 50,000/-

per parameter and for alternate instance the financial disincentive is ` 1,00,000/- per

parameter.

UnsolicitedCommercialCommunications

l For non-compliance due to failure to curb UCC from their networks the graded financial

disincentiveisasfollows:

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l Fornon-compliancetotheprovisionsofCode(s)ofPractice,ServiceProvidershallbeliableto

payfollowingamount:-

a. notexceedingRupeesfivethousandperdayfortheperiodofexceedingthetimelineif

theperiodofdelayislessthanorequaltothirtydays;

b. notexceedingRupeestwentythousandperdayfortheadditionalperiodofdelaywhich

ismorethanthirtydays;

TheperformanceoftheserviceprovidersisevaluatedeveryQuarterbasedonthecompliance

reportssubmittedbyserviceprovidersandalsobasedonthereportsoftheauditagencies

engagedbyTRAI.WhereverdeficienciesinachievingtheQualityofServicebenchmarkshave

beennoticed throughclosemonitoringof theperformanceofserviceprovidersbywayof

periodicreports,auditandassessmentofqualityofservicethroughindependentagenciesis

conducted, TRAI has been following up with the service providers for addressing such

deficienciesinachievingthebenchmarksforthevariousparameters.Inthisregard,various

meetingswereheldinTRAIwiththeserviceprovidersfromtimetotime.Thesemeetingsand

follow-up actionwith the serviceprovidershavebeenpivotal in improving thequality of

service. Further, based on compliance reports, wherever non-compliance with the

benchmarksisobserved,theexplanationoftheserviceprovideriscalledforandconsidering

theexplanationsubmittedbytheserviceprovider,gravityofnon-compliance,actiontakento

improve the service, financial disincentives are imposed on service providers. The total

amountoffinancialdisincentivereceivedduringthefinancialyear2020-21onaccountofQoS

regulationsviolationswas 1.485crore.TRAIalsopublishesinformationabouttheQuality-of-

Serviceperformancebyserviceproviders,theresultsofAuditandassessmentofQualityof

Service undertaken by Independent Agencies through its website for the information of

stakeholders.Thepublishingofqualityofservice-relatedinformationhasalsobeenforcingthe

service providers to improve the Quality-of-Service performance and also to address

deficienciesinmeetingthebenchmark.

(h) UniversalServiceObligation

2.17 TheAuthoritymadeRecommendationsforSupportforRuralWire-lineConnectionsinstalledst thbefore1 April,2002videitsrecommendationsdated14 May,2012.Forthefirstyearan

amountof` 1500Crorewasrecommendedassupportandfortheyearanamount` 1250

Crorewasrecommended.

nd FurthervideitsRecommendationdated22 July,2014,on“ImprovingTelecomServicesin

Andaman&NicobarIslandsandLakshadweep”, theAuthority forwardedacomprehensive

telecomdevelopmentplanforAndaman&NicobarIslandsandLakshadweep.

In accordance with TRAI recommendation to Telecom Commission, an integrated and

comprehensivetelecomdevelopmentplanforAndaman&NicobarIslandsandLakshadweep

wasapproved.Aspertheplan,CAPEXworth` 2035Crorewillbe fundedbyUSOfundto

provide submarine OFC connectivity with islands, Satellite bandwidth augmentation,

seamless2Gcoverage,andintra-islandOFCnetworkinAndaman&NicobarIslands.

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In2016,theUnionCabinetapprovedtheproposaltoextendsubsidysupportof 1250croreto

BSNLfromtheUSOFascompensationforthedeficitincurredbyBSNLinoperatingruralwire-st

lineconnectionsinstalledpriorto1 April,2002.

th Initsrecommendationsdated19 December,2016onprovisioningoffreedata’,theAuthority

hasrecommendedthatinordertobridgetheaffordabilitygapforthepersonsresidinginrural

areasandtosupportGovernment’seffortstowardscashlesseconomybyincentivizingdigital

means,aschemeofprovidingfreedataofapprox.100MBpermonthtoruralsubscribersfor

freemaybelaunchedandthecostofimplementationoftheschememaybemetfromUSOF.

OtherActivities

ndl WhitePaperdated22 September,2020on“SmartCitiesinIndia:FrameworkforICT

Infrastructure”

Theobjectiveof smartcity is toenhancequalityof lifeofpeopleandprovideacleanand

sustainableenvironmentbyestablishingacommoncoreinfrastructureanddeploying‘Smart

Solutions’usingdigitalinfrastructure.

In order to manage the ever-increasing population in the cities, it is important that

infrastructureinthecitiesisupgradedandmanagedbyusingInformationandCommunication

Technologies(ICT)tomakethemsustainableinthelongrun.

WhilestudyingtheICTinfrastructurebeingplannedanddeployedinvarioussmartcitiesin

India,ithasbeenobservedthateachsmartcityisplanninganddeployingICTsolutionsinits

ownwayandthereisnocommonframeworkforICTinfrastructureforsmartcities.

Inabsenceofanyregulationorstandards,non-standardizedproprietarydevicesandsolutions

have come up in the market. Such proprietary or non-standardized solutions have been

createdinsilosandposeproblemsofinteroperabilityandpreventsharingofdataamongst

divergentapplications.

Non-standardizedandnon-interoperableICTsolutionswillposeariskasitwillsufferfromthe

followingconstraints:

(i) Proprietarysolutionswillhaveproprietarymaintenanceandvendorlock-in

(ii) UpgradationandScalabilitywillalsobeproprietaryandhencecostly

(iii) Replicabilityinotherareaswillbeachallenge

(iv) Integrationofvariousapplicationsandinformationsharingwillbeachallenge

(v) Indisastersituation,itwillbedifficulttohaveintegratedreliefoperations

Keepingthisinview,TRAIreleasedaWhitePaperonSmartCitiesinIndia:FrameworkforICTnd

Infrastructureon22 September,2020. TheWhitePaperdiscussing the relevant aspects

relatedtoICTinfrastructureusedinSmartCities.Thefollowingtopicshavebeencoveredinthe

WhitePaper:

(i) ElementsofaSmartCity-Ecosystem

(ii) ICTRequirementfordifferentElementsofSmartCity

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(iii) GapsandChallenges

(iv) StandardizedICTtechnologytomakesysteminteroperable

(v) CommonFrameworkforICTInfrastructureforaSmartCity

(vi) IntegratedeffortsofvariousStakeholdersindevelopinganddeployingstandardized,

inter-operable,resilient,secureICTInfrastructure

TheWhitePaperhighlightstheRoleofdigitaltechnologiesforsmartcities,discussesthekey

smart solutions, deliberates the need of Global Standardization and connectivity related

aspectsspecifictosmartcities,andtriestoidentifytheframeworkforICTInfrastructurefor

thesuccessofSmartCitiesMissioninIndia.

TheWhitePaperhaslaidemphasistoachieveStandardization,Inter-operability,Scalability,

Sustainability,Resiliency in the ICT infrastructure for SmartCitieswhich canbe achieved

throughHarmonizedStandards,ComplianceTesting,CloudStrategy,NationalTrustCentre

(forDevicetesting),CyberSecurityStrategyandDataAnalytics.

TheWhite Paperwill open the gates for the industry and the technocrats to kindle their

thoughtprocess andbring about transformation through identificationof key enablers in

ordertoacceleratethedevelopmentofSmartCitiesinIndia.

thl OHD held on 20 May, 2020 through Video Conferencing on Consultation Paper on

“Provision of Cellular backhaul connectivity via Satellite through VSAT under

CommercialVSATCUGServiceAuthorization”

th TRAI on 20 May, 2020 convened an Open House Discussion (OHD) through Video

Conferencing on Consultation Paper on ‘Provision of Cellular backhaul connectivity via

SatellitethroughVSATunderCommercialVSATCUGServiceAuthorization’

TheOHDwasconvenedtoobtainvaluableinputsoftheconcernedstakeholders.Anumberof

stakeholders including, telecom service providers, industry associations, technology

companiesetc.participatedintheopenhousediscussion.Therewasoverwhelmingresponse

forconductingtheOHDthroughvideoconferencingevenduringtheCovidPandemic.

101

th Theon-lineOpenHouseDiscussionheldon20 May,2020onConsultationPaperon'Provision

of Cellular backhaul connectivity via Satellite throughVSATunderCommercialVSATCUG

ServiceAuthorization’

thl OHD held on 9 July, 2020 through Video Conferencing on “Consultation Paper on

MethodologyofapplyingSUCundertheweightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment,in

casesofSpectrumSharing”

th TRAIon9 July,2020convenedanOpenHouseDiscussion(OHD)throughVideoConferencing

on“ConsultationPaperonMethodologyofapplyingSUCundertheweightedaveragemethod

ofSUCassessment,incasesofSpectrumSharing”.


stakeholdersincluding,telecomserviceproviders,industryassociationsetc.participatedin

theopenhousediscussion.TherewasgoodresponseforconductingtheOHDthroughvideo

conferencingevenduringtheCOVIDPandemic.

rdl OpenHouseDiscussion(OHD)heldon3 February,2021throughVideoConferencing

on the Consultation Paper on "Enabling Unbundling of Different Layers Through

DifferentialLicensing”

rd TRAI on 3 February, 2021 convened an Open House Discussion (OHD) through Video

Conferencingon“ConsultationPaperonEnablingUnbundlingofDifferentLayersThrough

DifferentialLicensing”.


stakeholdersincluding,telecomserviceproviders,industryassociationsetc.participatedin

theopenhousediscussion.TherewasgoodresponseforconductingtheOHDthroughvideo

conferencing.

ConsumerOutreachProgramme(COP)

2.19.2 To enhance consumer education and awareness, TRAI organises Consumer Outreach

Programmes(COPs)acrossthelengthandbreadthofthecountry.TheseCOPsalsoprovidea

platformtoconsumerstoraisetheirlocalissueswithTRAIandtelecomserviceproviders.In

thesituationofCOVID-19Pandemic,inordertofollowCOVIDprotocolstheseprogramswere

conductedononlineplatformsothatconsumerscanattendthemfromtheirplaceofchoice.

Duringtheaboveperiod,TRAIorganised37onlineConsumerOutreachProgrammes(COPs)

forthebenefitofconsumersofdifferentplacesalloverthecountry.ListofCOPsorganizedis

annexed.

Consumer Education Literature and Media Campaigns Organizing Seminars and

RedressalofConsumerGrievances

2.19.3 InordertocreateawarenessamongstTVsubscribersabouttheirrightsandfreedomtheyare

beinggrantedbyTRAIthroughtheimplementationofnewframeworkforBroadcastingand

CableServicesacrossthecountry,aConsumerHandbookisbeingpreparedanditisinthe

processoffinalization.

102

Seminars/WebinarsonConsumerInterestsandProtection

2.19.4 One of the important objectives of TRAI is to create awareness and safeguard consumer

interests.Toachievethisobjective,TRAIorganizesseminarsoncontemporarytechnological

andconsumerrelatedissues.DuetoCOVID-19,TRAIconductedallsuchprogrammesthrough

onlinemode.TRAIorganisedNine(9)Webinarstargetingaudiencesofdifferentplacesduring

theyearareasfollows:

th 1) Webinarheldon24 July, 2020 in Jaipuron “5G in India–Specification,UseCases,

ChallengesandActionPlan”

st 2) Webinarheldon21 August,2020inBengaluruon“5G-Arhitecture,UseCasesand

Govt.Initiatives”CyberSecurity”

th 3) Webinar held on28 August, 2020 inBhopal on “IoT (Internet of Things)Trends,

SecurityChallengesandSolutions”

st 4) Webinarheldon21 September,2020inBengaluruon“CyberSecurity”

th 5) Webinarheldon26 November,2020inJaipuron“CyberSecurity”

th 6) Webinarheldon29 January,2021inBhopalon“DataPrivacy,SafetyandSecurity”

th 7) Webinar held on 19 February, 2021 in Hyderabad on “Data Privacy, Safety and

Security”

th 8) Webinar held on 5 March, 2021 in Kolkata on “5G-Introduction, Eco System

Development,Application&RegulatoryAspects”

th 9) Webinarheldon17 March,2021inBengaluruon“ArtificialIntelligenceandusesin

Telecom”

Thesewebinarsattractedparticipation fromlargenumberofConsumerAdvocacyGroups,

industryassociations,representativesofTSPs,officersofstateandcentralgovernment,faculty

members,researchscholarsandstudentsfromvariousacademicinstitutionsetc.

(ii) RedressalofConsumerGrievances

2.19.5 TRAI Act, 1997 does not envisage handling of individual consumer complaints by TRAI.

However,complaintsreceivedinTRAIareforwardedtoconcernedserviceprovidersfortakingst stappropriateaction.Duringtheperiodfrom1 April,2020to31 March,2021,TRAIreceived

50846complaints related toTelecomservicesand13037complaints inBroadcastingand

CableTV.Allthesecomplaintswereforwardedtoconcernedserviceprovidersforappropriate

action.Complaintsofgenericnatureorrequiringclassactionwerehandledtoaddressthe

underlyingissues.

TodiscusstheconsumercentricissuesmeetingswereheldwithTSPsonvariousissueslike

numberofconsumercomplaintsandappeals,majorareasofconsumergrievancesandefforts

ofTSPsforimprovement.

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RegistrationofConsumerAdvocacyGroups

2.19.6 Consumer Advocacy Groups (CAGs) registered with TRAI co-ordinate and assist TRAI in

disseminationofinformationaboutTRAIactivitiestoconsumersawarenessProgramsintheir

areas.TheyalsoparticipateinconsumeroutreachprogramconductedbyTRAI.TheseCAGs

arealsomembersoftheAdvisoryCommitteetotheAppellateAuthoritiesofTSPs.Areviewof

theperformanceofCAGswhosetenureweredueforrenewalwascarriedoutand13newCAGs

alsohavebeenregistered.Total58CAGshavebeenregisteredwithTRAI.

BroadcastingSector

thl Open House Discussions (OHD) held on 25 June, 2020 on Consultation Paper on

“Framework for Technical Compliance of Conditional Access System (CAS) and

SubscriberManagementSystems(SMS)forBroadcasting&CableServices”

th Open House Discussions (OHDs) held on 25 June, 2020 through video conference on

ConsultationPaperon“FrameworkforTechnicalComplianceofConditionalAccessSystem

(CAS)andSubscriberManagementSystems(SMS)forBroadcasting&CableServices”.Itwas

attendedbyaround220participants.

l EmpanelmentofAuditFirms

st TRAIissuedExpressionofInterest(EoI)on1 June,2020forempanelmentofauditorstocarry

outauditofDigitalAddressableSystemincomplianceofregulation15oftheInterconnection

Regulation,2017asamendedfromtimetotime.Theempanelmentofauditorsisanongoing

processandproposalsreceivedforempanelment,arebeingevaluatedonmonthlybasis.

Duringtheyear2020-21,TRAIhasincluded37auditfirmsinthelistofempanelledauditfirms

tocarryoutauditofdigitaladdressablesystem. Sofar,atotalnumberof51auditfirmshave

beenempanelled.UpdatedlistofempanelledauditfirmsisavailableinpublicdomainonTRAI

website.

l TRAIChannelSelectorApp

In order to help consumers for ease in selection of channels (addition/deletion), TRAIth

launchedTRAIChannelSelectorAppon25 June,2020andisavailabletothepublicforuse.

Through TRAI Channel Selector App, consumer can view and modify their current

subscriptionanynumberoftimes.TheappisavailablefordownloadonbothAndroidandiOS

platforms for free. For more information visit TRAI website at the following URL:

https://trai.gov.in/channel-selector-application.

104

thTRAIlaunchedTRAIChannelSelectorAppon25 June,2020

l TRAI letters to DPOs regarding compliance of regulation 15 of the Interconnectionth ndRegulation,2017,asamended,issuedon4 May,2020and2 November,2020

TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia(TRAI)notifiedtheTelecommunication(Broadcasting

andCable)ServicesInterconnection(AddressableSystems)Regulations,2017[hereinafterrdreferred to as the Interconnection Regulations 2017] on 3 March, 2017 and its first

thamendmenton30 October,2019andsubsequentsecondamendmenton1stJanuary2020.

The provisions of regulation 15 of the Interconnection Regulation mandate that every

distributoroftelevisionchannelsshall,onceinacalendaryear,causeauditofitssystembyM/s

BECIL or any of the auditor empanelled byTRAI, to verify that themonthly subscription

reportsmadeavailablebythedistributortothebroadcastersarecomplete,trueandcorrect,

andissueanauditreporttothiseffecttoeachbroadcasterwithwhomithasenteredintoan

interconnectionagreement.

th nd VideTRAI’slettersdated4 May,2020and2 November,2020,alltheDistributorsoftelevision

channels (DTH operators, Multi System Operators (MSOs), HITS operators and IPTV

operators)wereadvisedtocomplywiththeregulation15oftheInterconnectionRegulation,

2017,asamendedfromtimetotime.

105

l TRAIlettertotheBroadcastersanddistributorsofTVchannelsregardingcomplianceof

theTelecommunication(BroadcastingandCable)ServicesRegisterofInterconnectionnd

AgreementsandallsuchothermattersRegulations,2019,issuedon2 January,2020th

and28 May,2020


and Cable) Services Register of Interconnection Agreements and all such other mattersthRegulations, 2019 [hereinafter referred to asRegisterRegulation2019]on4 September,

2019.

nd th Vide TRAI’s letters dated 2 January, 2020 and 28 May, 2020, all the broadcasters and

distributorsoftelevisionchannelswererequestedto complywithalltheprovisionsofthe

Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Register of Interconnection

AgreementsandallsuchothermattersRegulations,2019andtheywereadvisedtosubmitall

thedocuments/reportsasperRegisterRegulation2019ontheBroadcasting&CableServices

Integrated(BIPS)portal,developedbyTRAIforthepurpose.

l TRAIletterstoallMultiSystemOperators(MSOs)regardingcomplianceofprovisionsof

the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection

(AddressableSystems)Regulations,2017andTelecommunication(Broadcastingand

Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Second Amendment)

Regulations,2020relatedtoassigningauniquechannelnumberforeachtelevision

channel available on the distribution network and indicating genre of televisionth

channelsasdeclaredbybroadcasterintheinterconnectionagreement,issuedon17th st

September,2020,9 October,2020and1 December,2020


andCable)ServicesInterconnection(AddressableSystems)Regulations,2017[hereinafterrd

referred to as the Interconnection Regulations 2017] on 3 March, 2017 and its firstth stamendmenton30 October,2019andsubsequentsecondamendmenton1 January,2020.

th th st VideTRAI’slettersdated17 September,2020,9 October,2020and1 December,2020,allthe

Multi System Operators (MSOs) were advised to ensure compliance of the provisions of

regulation 18 of the Interconnection Regulations 2017 and its Second Amendment

Regulationsrelatedtoassigningauniquechannelnumberforeachtelevisionchannelavailable

on the distribution network and indicating genre of television channels as declared by

broadcasterintheinterconnectionagreement.

thl ComplianceoftheRegisterofInterconnectionRegulation,2019dated4 September,

2019

The Register Regulation, 2019 is sub-judice in various courts and hence the provision of

regulation4,relatedtolevyoffinancialdisincentivesinconsequenceoffailuretocomplywith

theprovisionofRegisterRegulation2019,hasnotbeenappliedsofarbytheAuthority.Inthisthregard,perhapstheHon’bleHighcourtofKeralaorderdated9 January,2020isapplicable

onlyonthepetitionersbeforeHighCourtofKerala,however,ithasbeenproposedthatTRAI

maynotinitiateanyactionrelatedtolevyoffinancialdisincentivesinconsequenceoffailureto

complywiththeprovisionofRegisterRegulation2019,tilltheRegisterRegulation,2019is

sub-judice.TheproposalhasbeenvettedbyLegalDivisionandapprovedbytheAuthority.

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InternationalRelations

2.19.7 Proposalsinitiatedtosignbi-lateralagreementswithotherRegulatorsduringtheyear

(i) ProposaltosignLetterofIntent(LoI)withAfghanistanTelecommunicationRegulatory

Authority(ATRA),Afghanistanisunderprocess.

(ii) ProposaltosignLetterofIntent(LoI)withIndependentCommunicationsAuthorityof

SouthAfrica(ICASA),SouthAfricaisunderprocess.

(iii) Proposal to sign Letter of Intent (LoI) with Communications and Information

TechnologyCommission(CITC),SaudiArabiahasbeenfinalizedandtobesigned.

(iv) Proposal to sign Letter of Intent (LoI) with Information and Communications

TechnologiesAuthority(ICTA),Mauritiushasbeenfinalizedandtobesigned.

(v) Proposal to sign Letter of Intent (LoI) with Telecommunications Regulator of

Cambodia(TRC),Cambodiahasbeenfinalizedandtobesigned.

(vi) Proposal to signLetterof Intent (LoI)withBotswanaCommunicationsRegulatory

Authority(BOCRA),Botswanahasbeenfinalizedandtobesigned.

(vii) ProposaltosignLetterofIntent(LoI)withTelecommunicationsandPostRegulatory

Authority(TPRA),Sudanhasbeenfinalizedandtobesigned.

BilateralMeetings

(i) Virtual Bi-lateralmeeting between Chairman, TRAI and Executive President (Eng.thHossam El Gamal), National Telcom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt on 12

November,2020.

(ii) Virtual Bilateral Meeting with officers of Botswana Communications RegulatorythAuthority(BOCRA),Botswanaon13 January,2021.

(iii) VirtualbilateralmeetingwiththeofficersofTelecommunicationsandPostRegulatorythAuthority(TPRA),Sudanon19 January,2021.

Administrative, Legal and Financial Issues under consideration of the Department of

Telecommunications(DoT)

2.20 Inadditionwiththevariousmattersdiscussedinthereport,therearecertainimportantissues

pendingwithDoTfordecision.ThefollowingParaselaboratesuchAdministrativeandLegal

issueswhichareunderconsiderationofDoT:

(i) ProposalforAmendmentofTRAIAct1997

TRAIhasbeenestablishedunderTRAIAct1997,inter-aliatoregulatethetelecommunication

servicesandtoprotecttheinterestofserviceprovidersandconsumersoftelecomsector.The

Authorityhasbeenconferredpowerstoissuedirections,regulations,andordersindischarge

of its regulatory functionsbut doesnot have anypower to takepunitive action to secure

complianceoftheregulatorymeasurestakenbyit.Inordertoensureeffectivedischargeofits

functionsunderTRAIAct,1997theAuthoritysentacomprehensiveproposalforamendment

intheTRAIActintheyear2007.Thereafter,severalcorrespondencesweremadewithDoTand

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twodraftnotesforCabinetwerealsopreparedbyDoTbuttheproposedamendmentshavenot

yetbeenmade.Therefore,acomprehensiveproposalforamendmentinTRAIActwassenttord

DoTon3 June,2016.Subsequently,severalmeetingswerealsoheldbetweenTRAIandDoTtoth

discusstheproposedamendments.TRAIalsoforwardedthedetailedcommentson27 June,st2017.Inthisregardlastmeetingwasheldon1 December,2017andsomeclarificationswere

th th st thalso forwarded to DoT on 5 December, 2017, 10 April, 2018, 21 August, 2019 and 9

December,2019.

TheproposalforAmendmentofTRAIAct,1997isunderconsiderationofDoT.

(ii) AmendmentinScheduleIofTRAI(Salary,Allowancesandotherconditionsofserviceof

theofficersandemployee)Rules,2002

Schedule I ofTRAI (Salary,Allowancesandother conditionsof serviceof theofficersandthemployee)Rules,2002needsmodificationstoincorporatescalesasper7 PayCommission.

TRAIhadsentaproposalforamendmentintheSchedule-IofTRAI(Salary,Allowancesand

other conditions of services of Officers and Employees) Rules, 2002 for the purpose of

modification/introductionofcertaincategorypostsinSchedule-IoftheRules.Theproposal

was to include some new category of posts that have been subsequently created by Pay

Commissionsandoperatedinallministriesandtoexcludecertaincategoryofpoststhatareno

morerequired/operationalinTRAI.

AsdesiredbyDoTinthismatter,adraftamendmentalongwithconsolidatedschedule-Iwasth

senttoDoTinSeptember,2017inresponsetoDoTletterno.10-14/2009-Restg.dated14

August,2017.Further,clarificationwasalsofurnishedinFebruary2019.Also,Communication

inthisregardwassenttoDoTinJune,2020&October,2020.

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Annexure–I

st stListofCOPsduringtheperiodfrom1 April,2020to31 March,2021

SNO PLACEOFCOPs Date

1 Chhattisgarh 19.06.2020

2 Rajasthan 26.06.2020

3 WestBengal 26.06.2020

4 AndhraPradesh 29.06.2020

5 UttarPradesh 06.08.2020

6 Gujarat 07.08.2020

7 WestBengal 19.08.2020

8 Jharkhand 09.09.2020

9 Uttrakhand 11.09.2020

10 Telangana 16.09.2020

11 Haryana 18.09.2020

12 Assam 28.09.2020

13 Maharashtra 29.10.2020

14 MadhyaPradesh 29.10.2020

15 NorthEast 05.11.2020

16 Punjab 06.11.2020

17 Tamilnadu 06.11.2020

18 Karnataka 20.11.2020

19 Karnataka 25.11.2020

20 Chhattisgarh 27.11.2020

21 Karnataka 04.12.2020

22 Kerala 07.12.2020

23 Bihar 08.12.2020

24 UttarPradesh 17.12.2020

25 Rajasthan 18.12.2020

26 PuducherryUT 21.01.2021

27 Gujarat 22.01.2021

28 KeralaLSA 15.02.2021

29 Uttarakhand 25.02.2021

30 Haryana 04.03.2021

31 MaharashtraLSA 09.03.2021

32 MadhyaPradesh 18.03.2021

33 AndhraPradesh 23.03.2021

34 Karmataka 24.03.2021

35 Bihar&Jharkhand 25.03.2021

36 Punjab 26.03.2021

37 Telangana 26.03.2021

PART-III

109

FUNCTIONSOFTHETELECOMREGULATORY

AUTHORITYOFINDIAINRESPECTOFMATTERS

SPECIFIEDINSECTION11OFTHETRAIACT

111

FUNCTIONSOFTHETELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIAINRESPECTOFMATTERSSPECIFIEDINSECTION11OFTHETRAIACT

Section11oftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997,asamended,providesthat–

(1) notwithstandinganythingcontainedintheIndianTelegraphAct,1885(13of1885),thefunctions

oftheAuthorityshallbeto—

(a) make recommendations, either suo motu or on a request from the licensor, on the

followingmatters,namely:

(i) needandtimingforintroductionofnewserviceprovider;

(ii) termsandconditionsoflicencetoaserviceprovider;

(iii) revocationoflicencefornon-complianceoftermsandconditionsoflicence;

(iv) measures to facilitate competition and promote efficiency in the operation of

telecommunicationservicessoastofacilitategrowthinsuchservices;

(v) technologicalimprovementintheservicesprovidedbytheserviceproviders;

(vi) typeofequipmenttobeusedbytheserviceprovidersafterinspectionofequipment

usedinthenetwork;

(vii) measures for thedevelopmentof telecommunicationtechnologyandanyother

matterrelatabletotelecommunicationindustryingeneral;

(viii)efficientmanagementofavailablespectrum;

(b) dischargethefollowingfunctions,namely:

(i) ensurecomplianceoftermsandconditionsoflicence;

(ii) notwithstandinganythingcontained in the termsandconditionsof the licence

grantedbeforethecommencementoftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia

(Amendment)Act,2000,fixthetermsandconditionsofinter-connectivitybetween

theserviceproviders;

(iii) ensuretechnicalcompatibilityandeffectiveinter¬connectionbetweendifferent

serviceproviders;

(iv) regulatearrangementamongstserviceprovidersofsharingtheirrevenuederived

fromprovidingtelecommunicationservices;

(v) lay-downthestandardsofqualityofservicetobeprovidedbytheserviceproviders

andensurethequalityofserviceandconducttheperiodicalsurveyofsuchservice

providedby the serviceproviders soas toprotect interestof the consumersof

telecommunicationsservice;

(vi) lay-downandensurethetimeperiodforprovidinglocalandlongdistancecircuits

oftelecommunicationbetweendifferentserviceproviders;

112

(vii) maintainregisterofinterconnectagreementsandofallsuchothermattersasmay

beprovidedintheRegulations;

(viii) keepregistermaintainedunderclause(vii)openforinspectiontoanymemberof

publiconpaymentofsuchfeeandcomplianceofsuchotherrequirementasmaybe

providedintheregulations;

(ix) ensureeffectivecomplianceofuniversalserviceobligations.

(c) levy fees and other charges at such rates and in respect of such services asmay be

determinedbyRegulations;

(d) performsuchotherfunctionsincludingsuchadministrativeandfinancialfunctionsas

maybeentrustedtoitbytheCentralGovernmentorasmaybenecessarytocarryoutthe

provisionsofthisAct:

ProvidedthattherecommendationsoftheAuthorityspecifiedinclause(a)ofthissub-

sectionshallnotbebindingupontheCentralGovernment.

ProvidedfurtherthattheCentralGovernmentshallseektherecommendationsof the

Authorityinrespectofmattersspecifiedinsub-clauses(i)and(ii)ofclause(a)ofthissub-

sectioninrespectofnewlicencetobeissuedtoaserviceproviderandtheAuthorityshall

forwarditsrecommendationswithinaperiodofsixtydaysfromthedateonwhichthat

Governmentsoughttherecommendations:

ProvidedalsothattheAuthoritymayrequesttheCentralGovernmenttofurnishsuch

information or documents as may be necessary for the purpose of making

recommendationsundersub-clauses(i)and(ii)ofclause(a)ofthissub-sectionandthat

Governmentshallsupplysuchinformationwithinaperiodofsevendaysfromreceiptof

suchrequest:

ProvidedalsothattheCentralGovernmentmayissuealicencetoaserviceproviderifno

recommendations are received from the Authoritywithin the period specified in the

second proviso orwithin such period asmay bemutually agreed upon between the

CentralGovernmentandtheAuthority:

ProvidedalsothatiftheCentralGovernmenthavingconsideredthatrecommendationof

theAuthority,comestoaprimafacieconclusionthatsuchrecommendationcannotbe

acceptedorneedsmodifications,itshall,refertherecommendationbacktotheAuthority

foritsreconsideration,andtheAuthoritymaywithinfifteendaysfromthedateofreceipt

of such reference, forward to the Central Government its recommendation after

considering the reference made by that Government. After receipt of further

recommendationifany,theCentralGovernmentshalltakeafinaldecision.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885), the

Authoritymay,fromtimetotime,byorder,notifyintheOfficialGazettetheratesatwhichthe

telecommunication serviceswithin India and outside India shall be provided under this Act

includingtheratesatwhichmessagesshallbetransmittedtoanycountryoutsideIndia:

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ProvidedthattheAuthoritymaynotifydifferentratesfordifferentpersonsorclassofpersonsfor

similartelecommunicationservicesandwheredifferentratesarefixedasaforesaidtheAuthority

shallrecordthereasonstherefor.

(3) Whiledischargingitsfunctionsundersub-section(1)orsub¬section(2)theAuthorityshallnot

actagainsttheinterestofthesovereigntyandintegrityofIndia,thesecurityoftheState,friendly

relationswithforeignStates,publicorder,decencyormorality.

(4) The Authority shall ensure transparency while exercising its powers and discharging its

functions.

3. TheAuthority,inpursuanceofachievingtheobjectivesofensuringgrowthofindustryand

protectinginterestofconsumershasmadeseveralRecommendationseithersuomotooron

mattersreferredtoitbytheGovernment;notifiedvariousRegulationstocarryoutpurposesof

theAct;takenactiontoenforcelicencetermsandconditions;andinitiatedworkonseveral

other issues. By discharging various recommendatory & regulatory functions, TRAI has

contributedtogrowthoftelecomservicesincludingthebroadcastingandcableTVservicesin

termsofincreasednumberofconsumersandavastnetworkprovidingtelecomservicesacross

thelengthandbreadthofthecountry.Thesecontinuedmeasureshavealsoresultedinoverall

benefitstotheconsumerintermsofchoiceofservices,reducedtariffoftelecomservice,better

qualityofserviceetc.SomeofthespecificfunctionscarriedoutbyTRAIinrespectofvarious

mattersspecifiedinSection11oftheTRAIActareasfollows.

a) Telecommunicationratesbothwithin Indiaandoutside India including theratesat

whichmessagesshallbetransmittedtoanycountryoutsideIndia

3.1 Section11(2)oftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997asamendedbyTRAI

(Amendment)Act,2000,empowerstheAuthoritytonotifyintheOfficialGazettetheratesat

whichtelecommunicationserviceswithinIndiaandoutsideIndiashallbeprovided,including

theratesatwhichthemessagesshallbetransmittedtoanycountryoutsideIndia. Italso

providesthattheAuthoritymaynotifydifferentratesfordifferentpersonsorclassofpersons

for similar telecommunication services. Besides specifying the tariff regime applicable to

various services, TRAI is also required to ensure that tariffs prevailing in themarket are

consistentwiththespecifiedtariffregime.Forthispurpose,theAuthoritymonitorstherates

atwhichtheserviceprovidersprovidethevarioustelecomservices.Further,thefunctionof

specifyingnormsforfixationofratesforPayChannelsaswellasfixationofratesforCable

Services is also assigned toTRAI. Details of action takenbyTRAI inTelecomSector and

Broadcasting&CableSectorduring2019-20arediscussedinthefollowingparagraphs.

3.1.1 Aspertheexistingtariffframework,thetariffformobileservicesanddataservicesisunder

forbearance.Theserviceprovidershavetheflexibilitytodecidetheratesforvarioustypesof

calls,SMSorinternetdataofferswithmultiplecombinationsfordifferentserviceareasoftheir

operation.However,thetariffoffersaretobeinaccordancewiththeTelecommunicationTariff

OrdersandTelecomConsumerProtectionRegulation.

TRAIlooksafterconsumerintereststhroughtariffregulation.Tariffregulationtakestheform

ofensuringclarityand transparency in tariffoffers toconsumersand fixing tariff charges

wherethemarketisnotdeliveringoptimalrates.

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b) Recommendationson(i)theneedandtimingofthenewserviceproviders;(ii)theterms

andconditionsoflicensetoanewserviceprovider;and(iii)revocationoflicencefor

non-complianceoftermsandconditionsoflicence

3.2 Under Section 11 (1) (a) of the TRAI Act 1997, the Authority is required to make

recommendations either suomoto or on a request from the licensor, i.e., Department of

TelecommunicationsorMinistryofInformation&BroadcastinginthecaseofBroadcasting

andCableServices.RecommendationsforwardedbyTRAItoGovernmentduring2020-21are

givenbelow:-

th th (i) TRAI'sResponsedated10 April,2020toDoTbackreferencedated12 March,2020

onRecommendationson“CaptiveVSATCUGPolicyIssues”.

th (ii) Recommendationsdated10 April,2020on“ReservePriceforAuctionofFMRadio

channels”.

th (iii) Recommendationsdated10 April,2020on“InteroperabilityofSet-TopBox”.

th th (iv) Authority’sresponsedated15 April,2021toDoT’sback-referencedated12 March,

th2021 onTRAIRecommendations dated 17 April, 2015 on “DeliveringBroadband

Quickly:Whatdoweneedtodo?”

th (v) Recommendations dated 28 April, 2020 on “Review of Television Audience

MeasurementandRatingSysteminIndia”.

th th (vi) Authority’sresponsedated5 June,2020toDoT’sback-referencedated29 May,2020thforre-considerationofTRAIRecommendationsdated9 March,2017on“Proliferation

ofBroadbandthroughPublicWi-FiNetworks”.

th (vii) Recommendations dated 28 July, 2020 on “Provision of Cellular Backhaul

Connectivity via Satellite Through VSAT Under Commercial VSAT CUG Service

Authorization”.

th (viii) Recommendationsdated17 August,2020on “MethodologyofapplyingSpectrum

UsageCharges(SUC)undertheweightedaveragemethodofSUCassessment,incases

ofSpectrumSharing”.

nd (ix) Recommendationsdated2 February,2021ontheMIB’sbackreferencesonTRAI'sth

Recommendations dated 19 November, 2014 titled “Regulatory Framework for

PlatformServices”andTRAI'sRecommendationstitled“PlatformServicesofferedbyth

DTHOperators”dated13 November,2019.

c) Ensuringtechnicalcompatibilityandeffectiveinter-connection

3.3 Interconnection is the lifeline of telecommunication services. Subscribers of

telecommunicationservicescannotcommunicatewitheachotherorconnectwithservices

they require unless necessary interconnection arrangements are in place. Availability of

effective and expeditious interconnection plays an important role in the growth of the

telecommunicationservicessector.

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TRAInotified“TheTelecommunicationInterconnection(SecondAmendment)Regulations,th

2020”on10 July,2020,whichmakeseasier the interconnectionbetweenany twoPublic

Switched Telephone Networks (commonly referred to as the Fixed Line Networks), and

between Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and National Long Distance (NLD)

Network.

d) Regulatingarrangementamongstserviceprovidersofsharingtheirrevenuederived

fromprovidingtelecommunicationservice

3.4 InterconnectionUsageCharges(IUC)regimeisanessentialrequirementtoenablesubscribers

of one service provider to communicate with subscribers of another service provider.

Providing interconnection entails costs for which service providers need to be fairly

compensated. The IUC regime not only determines the revenue accruable to the service

providers but also how this revenue is to be distributed among them. An efficient

interconnection and charging regime are central to efficient and seamless connectivity

betweenvariousnetworks.

TheAuthorityspecifiedIUCforthefirsttimein2003.Subsequently,thesechargeshavebeen

revisedthroughvariousamendments.Thesechargeswerefurtherrevisedvideregulations

issuedduringthereportperiod,asdetailedbelow:

TELECOMSECTOR

l “The Telecommunication Interconnection Usage Charges (Sixteenth Amendment)th

Regulations,2020”17 April2020.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued “The Telecommunicationth

Interconnection Usage Charges (Sixteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2020” on 17 April,

2020.ThroughtheseRegulations,theregimeoffixedInternationalTerminationcharges(ITC)

@Re.0.30perminutehasbeenrevisedtoforbearanceregimewithinaprescribedrangeof

Re.0.35perminutetoRe.0.65perminute.Further,toensurethelevelplayingfieldbetween

standaloneandintegratedInternationalLong-DistanceOperators(ILDOs),itismandatedthat

anAccessServiceProvidershallofferthenon-discriminatoryrateofITCtoeveryonei.e.toits

ownassociatedILDOaswellastostandaloneILDOs.TheseRegulationscameintoforcefrom

1stMay2020.

e) Time period for providing local and long-distance circuits of telecommunication

betweendifferentserviceproviders

3.5 Thetimeframeforprovisioningofportsforinitialinterconnectionandaugmentationofports

atPOIshasbeen increased to42days in theyear2018-19vide “TheTelecommunicationthInterconnection(Amendment)Regulations,2018”dated5 July,2018.

f) EnsuringcomplianceoftheTermsandConditionsofLicense

3.6 Duringthereportperiod,followingdirectionswereissuedtoTelecomServiceprovidersto

ensurecomplianceoftheTermsandconditionsoflicense:

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thl Directiondated15 February,2021issuedtoallserviceprovidersregardingsubmission

ofPerformance Monitoring ReporttotheAuthorityundertheTelecomCommercial

CommunicationCustomerPreferenceRegulations,2018

TheDirectionhasbeendiscussedindetailinPart-IIofthisreport.

g) StepstakentoprotecttheInterestoftheConsumersofTelecommunicationsServices

3.7 TRAI, with a view to enhance consumer education and awareness organises Consumer

Outreach Programmes, Seminars, Workshops on Capacity Building of TRAI registered

consumerorganizationandbringsoutconsumereducationmaterialandundertakemedia

campaigns.Programmesorganizedandcampaignsundertakenduring2020-21havebeen

detailedinthePart-IIofthereport.

AuditingofMeteringandBillingSystem:

3.7.1 AuditingofMeteringandBillingSystem:Inorderto(i)bringuniformityandtransparency

intheproceduresbeingfollowedbyserviceproviderswithregardtometeringandbilling;(ii)

prescribestandardsrelatingtoaccuracyofmeasurement,reliabilityofbilling;(iii)measure

theaccuracyofbilling providedbytheServiceProvidersfromtimetotimeandtocompare

themwiththenormssoastoassessthelevelofperformance;(iv)minimizetheincidencesof

billingcomplaints;(v)andtoprotecttheinterestofconsumersoftelecommunicationservices,

TRAIhadreviewedtheQualityofService(CodeofPracticeforMeteringandBillingAccuracy)

Regulation2006andissued theQualityofService(CodeofPracticeforMeteringandBillingth

Accuracy)(Amendment)Regulations,2013on25 March,2013.TheRegulationmandatesthe

serviceproviderstoarrangeauditoftheirMeteringandBillingSystemonanannualbasis

throughanyoneoftheauditorsnotifiedbyTRAIandtofurnishtoTRAIanauditcertificatestthereofnot laterthan31 Julyofeveryyear.TheRegulationalsoprovidesthat theservice

providershavetotakecorrectiveactionontheinadequacies,ifany,pointedoutbytheAgencyth

in theCertificateandto filewithTRAIanActionTakenReport thereonnot later than15

Novemberofeveryfinancialyear.Further,foreffectiveimplementationoftheseregulations

TRAIhasalsoenforcedfinancialdisincentiveattherateof` 1,00,000/-perweekfordelayin

submission of Audit Reports and Action Taken Reports and Financial disincentive not

exceedinganof 10,00,000/-peractiontakenreportforfalseorincompleteinformation.The

serviceprovidershavesubmittedtheauditreportsandactiontakenreportswithinthetime

limit.Theaudithashelpedinidentifyingbillingandchargingdeficienciesleadingtorefundsof

excesschargesleviedtoaffectedcustomersandaddressingsystemicissues.

Regulation to specify the duration of call alert: In order to provide sufficient time to

subscriber to pick up the call and not to make inconvenience to the subscriber due tost

inappropriatelylongdurationofcallalert,TRAIon1 November2019notifiedTheStandards

ofQualityofServiceofBasicTelephoneService (Wireline)andCellularMobileTelephone

Service(SeventhAmendment)Regulations,tospecifydurationofalertforthecalled.

AccessProviderwouldhavetomaintainthetimedurationofalertforanincomingvoicecall,

whichisneitheranswerednorrejectedbythecalledparty,tothirtysecondsforCellularMobile

TelephoneServiceandsixtysecondsforBasicTelephoneService.Theterminatingnetwork

shall,onexpiryofthirtysecondincaseofCellularMobileTelephoneServiceandsixtyseconds

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incaseofBasicTelephoneService,releasetheincomingvoicecallandtransmitthecallrelease

message to the originating network. However, originating network may release an

unansweredcallafterninetysecondsincasethecallreleasemessageisnotreceivedfromthe

terminatingnetwork.

SpamControl:TocurbtheproblemofUnsolicitedCommercialCommunication(UCC)through

Telecom networks, TRAI has reviewed the framework and notified Telecom CommercialthCommunicationCustomerPreferenceRegulation,2018dated19 July,2018,mandatingthe

adoption of new technological platform i.e. Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). The

regulations provide for Registration of senders (businesses and telemarketers), Headers,

subscribers’consent,Messagetemplateetc.andfine-grainedcontroloverpreferences.Itisa

Co-regulationwhereTelecomServiceProviders/AccessProvidersestablishandarrangethe

framework,whichislegallybackedbyregulation.Tofacilitateconsumersfollowingmeasures

havebeentakenundertheseregulations:

TRAIDNDApp:ThisMobileApplicationfacilitatescustomerstoregistertheirDo-not-disturb

(DND)preferenceandcomplaintswithanyServiceProviderthoughonecommonmode.It

assists the subscribers in reporting their complaints, using an intelligent spam detection

engineandUpdatesaboutactiontakenoncomplaintswithintheApp.

HeaderInformationportal:TheHeaderInformationPortalfacilitatesCustomerstoknow

thesenderofCommercialandGovernmentawarenesscommunications.Thisportalmayalso

helpotherprincipalentitiestocheckwhetheranylook-alikeheaderisregisteredbyanyother

entity.Anyonecanqueryaparticularheaderordownloadthecompletelist.TSPscanupload

thelistofalpha-numericheadersassignedtoPrincipalEntities(Businessorlegalentities).

ExemptiontoGovernmentorganizationsforsendingSMSofpublicinterest–Portalfor

Exemption from SMS Termination Charges: This Portal facilitates Government entities to

onlineapply fortheexemptionfromSMSterminationchargesupto5paisa forregistered

headersunderRegulation35ofTCCCPR,2018.ThisportalalsohelpsGovernmententitiesto

knowabouttherenewaldatesandotherinformationrelated5paisaexemptionfromSMS

Terminationcharges.

Workshopon"Improvingconnectivityinsidebuildings”

TRAIandMinistryofHousingandUrbanAffairs,jointlyconductedaworkshopon"Improvingthconnectivityinsidebuildings"on4 September,2020attendedbybuilders,RWAs,architects,

telecomserviceproviders,infrastructureproviders,technologyproviders,consultants,senior

government officials from various development authorities and municipalities from the

NationalCapitalRegion.Theeventprovidedanopportunitytostakeholderstopresenttheir

concernsandparticipateinworkingoutsolutionsthatsatisfyeveryone'srequirementofa

goodqualitytelecomnetwork.

Monograph

nd TRAI,on22 September,2020publishedaMonograph–“Questforagoodqualitynetwork

insideMulti-storeyResidentialApartments”.Themonographsuggestsablendedapproachin

improvingthenetwork, i.e.,bothgeneral interventionsandsolutionsthatarespecific toa

118

user’srequirement.Italsoadvocatestheinvolvementofusersindefiningandachievingthe

optimumoutcomesforthemselves.Themonographassessestheeffectivenessoftheexisting

rules and practices, the technological solutions that are emerging, and the experience of

policiesintheotherpartsoftheworldtosuggestthewayforwardforIndia.

TRAI also conducted other case studies such as Quality of Services at Delhi Airport and

adjoining areas and also in Delhi Airport Express Metro train. Detailed report has been

published at TRAI website. The report highlights various systemic issues, infrastructure

deficiencies and concerns related to commercial arrangements. The report has been

forwardedtoDoTforfurtheractiontoo.

CaseStudies

Toidentifythefactorswhichcausesgapinqualityperceivedbytheusersandqualityreflected

duringassessments,TRAIhasconductedcasesstudies.Casestudiesweremorefocusedon

qualityinsidethebuildings.Casestudieshaverevealedthattheissueofpoorqualityinside

building isdue tonon-availabilityofagoodqualitynetworkwhichdependsuponvarious

aspectssuchasgooddesign,goodchoicesavailabletotheTSPsorinfrastructureProvidersat

thetimeofdeployment,businesscasetodeploysolutionsetc.Itisalsorevealedthatinbuilding

solutionsareneitherexpensivenorintractable,althoughtheydorequiresomecoordination

betweenamultitudeofagencies.Anothermajorhurdlefacedinthedeploymentofmobile

networkinsidetheapartmentorbuildingareasisrefusalordelayingrantofpermissionto

deploytelecominfrastructuretoserviceprovidersandEMFconcernsexpressedbysomeofthe

residents or ResidenceWelfare Associations (RWAs). Deployment of illegal jammers and

boostersbysomeusersalsocausedegradationofQualityofServices.

TRAI also conducted other case studies such as Quality of Services at Delhi Airport and

adjoining areas and also in Delhi Airport Express Metro train. Detailed report has been

published at TRAI website. The report highlights various systemic issues, infrastructure

deficiencies and concerns related to commercial arrangements. The report has been

forwardedtoDoTforfurtheractiontoo.

Wi-FiAccessNetworkInterface(WANI):Recently,DoTbasedontherecommendationsofTRAI

hasreleasedframeworkandguidelinesonWi-FiaccessnetworkandpenetrationofPublic

DataOffices(PDOs)tohelpinimprovingvoicequalityofservice.

Keyinitiativesbyserviceproviderstoimprovein-buildingcoverage:Toimprovecoverageof

mobilenetworksandleverageavailabilityofdataconnectivityviafixedlinenetworks,TSPs

havelaunchedVoiceoverWiFi(Vo-WiFi).MajorTSPshaveeitheralreadylauncheditorthey

haveplantolaunchit.Withthis,userscanmakevoicecallfromWi-FinetworksofanyISPand

thus resulting into improvementofQoS inside thebuildingswherepenetrationofmobile

signalfromoutdoorantennasisdifficult.AnykindofDataconnectivityalsoenablestomake

voicecallusingmobileApps.

StepstakentoprotecttheInterestoftheConsumersofBroadcastingServices

3.7.2 TRAI,inMarch,2017,notifiedthe‘NewRegulatoryFramework’forBroadcastingandCable

Services.Thenewframeworkgavefreedomtoconsumerstoselecttelevisionchannelsthey

wanttowatch.However,afterissuingofNewTariffOrderforbroadcastingservices,itwas

noticedthatconsumerswerefacingdifficultytooptforTVchannels/bouquetoftheirchoice

on the web portal / APPs of their respective Distribution platform Operators (DPOs).

Therefore,theAuthoritydecidedtodevelopanAppwhichfetchdatafromDPOsthroughAPIs

developedbyTRAI.

th On 9 October, 2019, after due consultation process, TRAI issued Standards of Quality of

ServicesandConsumerProtection(AddressableSystem)(SecondAmendment)Regulations

2019.Throughthissecondamendment,AuthoritymandatedtheDPOstoshareAPIswithTRAI

sothatconsumercaneditandmodifytheirsubscriptionsusinganAPPdevelopedbyTRAI.

th Inordertohelpconsumersforeaseinselectionofchannels(addition/deletion),TRAIon25

June,2020launchedTRAIChannelSelectorAppandisavailabletothepublicforuse. TRAI

ChannelSelectorAppfacilitatessubscribersto:

• Checktheirownsubscription

• ViewallChannelsandBouquetsprovidedbytheirDTH/CableOperator

• Chooseonlythechannelsofinterestandremoveotherchannels

• Getoptimizedsolution;Getbestcombinationofuserselectedchannels/bouquetsin

samepriceorinlessprice

• FacilitytoaddchannelsintheapplicableNCF(NetworkCapacityFee)

• Allowuserstomodifyexistingsubscription

• Checkrealtimestatusofyoursubscriptionrequest.

ChannelSelectorAppismadeavailableonbothGooglePlayStoreandAppleStore.Usingthe

App customer of DTH /Cable Operator can see their subscription, modify (add/delete

channels)subscriptionandsetnewsubscription.AnotherprominentfeatureoftheAppis

optimizationof thesubscriptionbefore it issent toDTH/CableOperator foractivation to

enablesubscribertogetbestvalueformoney.

h) Steps taken to facilitate competition and promote efficiency in the operation of

telecommunicationservicessoastofacilitategrowthinsuchservices

3.8 TRAIhasalwaysendeavouredtoestablishpoliciesthatarecontemporary,intunewiththe

current developments, simple and pragmatic. They have desired impact on competition,

infrastructure,revenueandcustomerwelfare.Ithasbeenconsciousofthefactthatregulatory

certainty is important for formulation of appropriate business strategies, promoting

competitionandtherebygivingcustomerthefruitsofinnovation.TRAIhascarriedoutthejob

ofincreasingcompetitionandeasingentryofcompetitiveserviceprovidersinallseriousness.

Measures in the form of recommendations/regulations/tariff orders/directions etc. have

provedtobekeyforgrowthoftheindustry.

To facilitate competition and promote efficiency in the operation of telecommunications

followingstepsweretakenbyTRAIin2020-21:

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120

TELECOMSECTOR

l “The Telecommunication Interconnection Usage Charges (Sixteenth Amendment)thRegulations,2020”dated17 April,2020

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued “The TelecommunicationthInterconnection Usage Charges (Sixteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2020” on 17 April,

2020.ThroughtheseRegulations,theregimeoffixedInternationalTerminationcharges(ITC)

@Re.0.30perminutehasbeenrevisedtoforbearanceregimewithinaprescribedrangeof

Re.0.35perminutetoRe.0.65perminute.Further,toensurethelevelplayingfieldbetween

standaloneandintegratedInternationalLong-DistanceOperators(ILDOs),itismandatedthat

anAccessServiceProvidershallofferthenon-discriminatoryrateofITCtoeveryonei.e.toitsstownassociatedILDOaswellastostandaloneILDOs.TheseRegulationscameintoforcefrom1

May,2020.

i) Levyoffeesandotherchargesatsuchratesandinrespectofsuchservicesasmaybe

determinedbyRegulations

3.9 TRAI is mandated to decide the tariff policies for telecommunications and broadcasting

services.TRAIlooksafterconsumerintereststhroughtariffregulation.Tariffregulationtakes

theformofensuringclarityandtransparencyintariffofferstoconsumersandfixingtariff

chargeswherethemarketisnotdeliveringoptimalrates.

j) Stepstakentoensureeffectivecomplianceofuniversalserviceobligation(USO)

th3.10 TheAuthorityinitsrecommendationsdated14 May,2012onsupportforRuralWire-line

Connections,hasrecommendedthatsupporttoM/sBSNLmaybecontinuedfortwoyearsforst

sustenance of ruralwire-line connections, installed before 1 April, 2002. The amount of

supportmaybeRs.1500croreforthefirstyearandRs.1250croreforthesecondyear.ThendAuthorityvideitsrecommendationsdated22 July,2014on“ImprovingTelecomServicesin

AndamanandNicobarIslandsandLakshadweep”hasrecommendedmeasuresforimproving

the telecom services in these areas. Further, to encourage data usage in rural areas theth

AuthorityforwardeditsRecommendationsdated19 December,2016on“Encouragingdata

usageinRuralAreasthroughprovisioningoffreedata”.Inthisrecommendation,theAuthority

hasrecommendedthattheschememaybefundedthroughUSOF.

k) Details of advice rendered to the Central Government in the matter relating to

development of telecommunication technology and any other matter relatable in

telecommunicationindustryingeneral

3.11 Details of advice rendered by TRAI to the Central Government in thematters relating to

developmentoftelecommunicationisgivenbelow:

th th(i) Authority’sresponsedated5 June,2020toDoT’sback-referencedated29 May,2020

thforre-considerationofTRAIRecommendationsdated9 March2017on“Proliferation

ofBroadbandthroughPublicWi-FiNetworks”.

th th(ii) Authority’sresponsedated15 April,2021toDoT’sback-referencedated12 March,th2021onTRAIRecommendations dated 17 April, 2015 on “DeliveringBroadband

Quickly:Whatdoweneedtodo?”

FurtherdetailsinthisregardhavealreadybeendiscussedinPart-IIofthereport.

l) Monitoringofthequalityofservicesanddetailsofpromotionalsurveyofsuchservices

bytheserviceproviders

(b) Monitoringofthequalityofservicebytheserviceproviders:

3.12 Reportsreceivedfromserviceproviders

3.12.1 BasicandCellularMobileServices.

TRAImonitorstheperformanceofBasicandCellularMobileserviceagainstthebenchmarks

prescribedbyTRAIthroughquarterlyperformancemonitoringreport(PMR)receivedfrom

serviceprovidersinaccordancewiththedirections.Inordertoimprovethequalityofservice

providedby the serviceprovidersTRAIhasprescribed financialdisincentive throughThe

StandardsofQualityof ServiceofBasicTelephoneService (Wireline) andCellularMobileth

TelephoneService(SecondAmendment)Regulations,2012dated8 November,2012onBasic

Telephone Service (Wireline) and Cellular Mobile Telephone Service operators for non-

compliancewiththebenchmarkfortheNetworkServiceQualityParametersandCustomer

Service Quality Parameters. These regulations also provide for deterrent as financial

disincentivesagainstfalsereportinganddelayinsubmissionofreportoftheQualityofService

benchmarks.

3.12.2 BroadbandService

TRAI monitors the performance of the service providers against the Quality of Service

benchmarks laid down by TRAI, through the quarterly Performance Monitoring Reportsth(PMRs)videRegulationonQualityofServiceofBroadbandServicedated6 October,2006.The

quarterlyreportssubmittedbyBroadbandserviceprovidersareanalyzedforassessingtheir

performance with regard to the QoS benchmark.). To further strengthen the quality of

standardsTRAIhadissued“TheQualityofServiceofBroadbandService(SecondAmendment)th

Regulations,2012,on25 June,2014forimprovethespeedofBroadband.

3.12.3 Network/PointofInterconnection(POI)reports

TRAIismonitoringthelevelofcongestionatthePOIbetweenvariousServiceProviderson

Monthlybasis.Thisparametersignifiestheeasebywhichacustomerofonenetworkisableto

communicatewithacustomerofanothernetwork.Thisparameteralsoreflectsas tohow

effectiveistheinterconnectionbetweentwonetworks.ThebenchmarknotifiedbyTRAIinthe

QoSRegulationsforthisparameteris<0.5%.TRAIreceivesmonthlyPoICongestionReports

fromBasicandCellularMobileServicesforassessingtheirperformancewithregardtoQuality

ofServicebenchmarks.

3.12.4 TRAIMyCallApp:

The“TRAIMyCallApp”isintendedtomeasurethecallqualitythroughcrowdsourcing.TRAI

MyCallisamobileapplicationforCrowdsourcedVoiceCallQualityMonitoring,availablefor

androidandiOSplatforms.TheApplicationhelpsMobilephoneusersratetheirexperience

aboutvoicecallqualityinrealtimeandhelpTRAIgathercustomerexperiencedataalongwith

Networkdata.

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122

3.12.5 TRAIMySpeedApp:

Thisapplicationallowssubscriberstomeasurewirelessdataspeedexperienceandsendsthe

resultstoTRAI.Theapplicationcapturesandsendscoverage,dataspeedandothernetwork

informationalongwithdeviceandlocationofthetests.MySpeedportaldisplaysacomparison

ofthewirelessdataspeedsfromsuchsamplesacrosstheserviceprovidersineachLicense

servicearea.

m) Inspectionofequipmentusedinthenetworkandrecommendationmadeonthetypeof

equipmenttobeusedbytheserviceproviders

3.13 Thespecificstepstakenunderthisheadduringthereportperiodareasunder:

ndl Recommendations dated 22 April, 2020 on ‘Network Testing Before Commercial

LaunchofServicesforWirelineAccessServices’

TheAuthority after due consultation process finalized its Recommendations on ‘Network

TestingBeforeCommercialLaunchofServicesforWirelineAccessServices’andforwardedthend

sametoDoTon22 April,2020foritsconsideration.

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PART-IV

123

ORGANISATIONALMATTERSOF

TELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOF

INDIAANDFINANCIALPERFORMANCE

125

ORGANISATIONALMATTERSOFTELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIAANDFINANCIALPERFORMANCE

(A)

Ms.MeenakshiGuptaMember

(FullTime)

VACANT Lt.Gen.NitinKumarKohli(Retd)

Member(PartTime)

Dr.P.D.VaghelaChairperson

(b)SECRETARIATOFTRAI(HQ)

4.3 TheAuthority functionswithaSecretariatheadedby theSecretaryandassistedbyseven

Divisionswhichareasfollows:

(i) Administration & International Relations (A&IR); (ii) Broadcasting & Cable Services

(B&CS);(iii)Financial&EconomicAnalysis(F&EA);(iv)Networks,SpectrumandLicensing

(NSL); (v) Quality of Service (QoS) (vi) Legal and (vii) Consumer Affairs, Information

Technology&TechnologyDevelopment(CA,IT&TD).

VACANT

4.1 ThissectionprovidesinformationonorganizationalmattersofTRAIrelatingparticularlyto

organizationstructure,funding,humanresourcescoveringtheareasofrecruitment,capacity

buildingandothergeneralissues.

(a)ORGANISATION

4.2 TheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityof IndiawasestablishedundertheTelecomRegulatorythAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997enactedon28 March,1997.TheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityof

India(Authority)isabodycorporatebythenameaforesaid,havingperpetualsuccessionanda

commonseal,withpower,subjecttotheprovisionsofthisAct,toacquire,holdanddisposeof

property,bothmovableandimmovable,andtocontract,andshall,bythesaidname,sueorbe

sued. The TRAI (Amendment) Act, 2000 led to the reconstitution of the Authority. The

AuthorityconsistsofaChairperson,andnotmorethantwowhole-timemembersandnotmore

thantwo-parttimemembersthatareappointedbytheCentralGovernment.TheheadofficeofsttheAuthorityisatNewDelhi.TheconstitutionoftheAuthorityason31 March,2021isas

follows:

126

ADMINISTRATION&INTERNATIONALRELATIONSDIVISION

4.4 AdministrationDivisionisresponsibleforalladministrativeandpersonnelfunctionswhich

includeplanningandcontrolofhumanresourcedevelopment inTRAIaswellasensuring

coordinatedavailabilityofinformationfortheAuthority’suse.AdministrationDivisionhasthe

responsibilityofmanagementandcontrolofactivitiesofAdministration&PersonnelSection

(A&P),GeneralAdministrationSection(GA),Communication&PublicRelation(Comm.&PR)

Section,OLSection,ManagementRepresentativeandRTI(MR&RTI)Section.TheDivisionhas

managed awell-equipped Library having a good collection of knowledge,which includes

TechnicalBooks,LegalBooks,Literaturebooksetc.Italsohastheinstitutionalmembershipof

DELNET to share the resources. The Division also handles International Relationswhich

includecoordinationwithallInternationalOrganizations/bodiesviz.,ITU,APT,WorldBank,

WTO,ADB,SATRC,OECDandRegulatoryBodiesinothercountries.

BROADCASTING&CABLESERVICES(B&CS)DIVISION

4.5 TheBroadcastingandCableServices(B&CS)DivisionisresponsibleforadvisingtheAuthority

to lay down the overall regulatory framework; encompassing tariff, interconnection and

qualityofservicesaspects;forthebroadcastingsectorincludingbroadcastingofsatelliteTV

channels, Direct to Home (DTH) services, Cable TV services, Head-end in the Sky (HITS)

services,InternetProtocolTelevision(IPTV)services,FMRadiobroadcastingetc.Thedivision

isalsoresponsibleforexaminingtheissuesrelatingtomodernization/digitalizationofthe

broadcasting sector andmaking recommendations on various policy issues and terms &

conditionsoflicenses/permissionsissuedbytheGovernmenttovariousserviceprovidersin

broadcastingsector.ThedivisionadvisestheAuthorityregardingthemeasuresrequiredto

protect the interests of all the stakeholders of the broadcasting sector, which include

facilitationofconsumerchoice,availabilityofservicesofdesirablequalityataffordableprices

andpromotingcompetition.

FINANCIAL&ECONOMICANALYSIS(F&EA)DIVISION

4.6 F&EADivisionisprimarilyresponsibleforensuringcomplianceoftheprovisionscontainedin

TheTelecomTariffOrders,certainprovisionscontainedintheTelecomConsumerProtection

Regulations,2012andDirectionsissuedbytheAuthorityonrelatedaspectsfromtimetotime.

Further, theF&EADivision isalsoresponsible forprovidingadviceonvariousoperational

aspectsoftelecomsectorviz.,tariffregulation(includingfixationoftariffsfortelecomservices

whereverrequired,prescribingtariffprinciplestobefollowedbyserviceproviders,ensuring

reporting of tariffs and examining those for consistencywith regulatory framework etc.),

fixationofcostbasedinterconnectionscharges,fixationofperporttransactionchargesfor

mobileportability,costmethodologiesandcostingfortelecomservicesetc.TheF&EADivision

isalsoresponsibleforundertakingareviewoffinancialsstatements,AccountingSeparation

Reports,AGRReportsetc.,forensuringconsistencyofthesamewiththeextantregulatory

framework. F&EA division also compiles “The Indian Telecom Services Performance

IndicatorsReport”andpublishesitonquarterlybasis.

127

NETWORKS,SPECTRUMANDLICENSING(NSL)DIVISION

4.7 TheNetwork,SpectrumandLicensing(NSL)Divisionisresponsibleforfixingthetermsand

conditionsofInterconnection,ensuringeffectiveinterconnectionbetweenvariousTelecom

Service Providers, handling of all interconnection issues including determination of

InterconnectionUsageCharges(IUC)andregularreviewthereof.Theinterconnectionissues

ofSubmarineCableLandingStationsarealsohandledbytheDivision.Further,theDivisionis

responsibleformakingrecommendationsonmattersrelatedtolicenseconditionsofAccess

ServicesincludingInternet/Broadband,NationalLongDistance(NLD)Service,International

LongDistance(ILD)Service,MobileRadioTrunkingService,VerySmallApertureTerminal

(VSAT)service,PublicMobileRadioTrunkingService(PMRTS)andvalue-addedservicessuch

asAudioConferencing/Audiotex/VoiceMail.TheDivisionalsoprovidesrecommendations

onefficientmanagementofspectrumincludingitsrefarming.TheDivisionisalsoresponsible

forprovidingrecommendationsonmattersrelatedtointroductionofnewtechnologiesand

servicesandpromotingindigenoustelecomequipmentmanufacturing.Themattersrelatedto

InfrastructureSharing,SustainableTelecommunications,OtherServiceProviders(OSPs)and

Radio Communications Systems for Public Protection & Disaster Relief (PPDR) are also

handled.TheDivisionalsodealswithissuesrelatedtoNationalNumberingPlan,Intelligent

Network(IN)Service,CallingCardsandSatcomPolicy.

TheDivisionmonitorscomplianceoflicenseconditionsbyserviceprovidersforalltypeof

servicesmentionedabove.TheDivisionalsomonitorssubscriptionofFixedline,Mobileand

Internet services as well as mobile data usage in the country. The Division handles

recommendations on issues related to Universal Service Obligation (USO) and all related

matters. The Division also regulates Mobile Number Portability (MNP) and ensures its

compliance.

QUALITYOFSERVICE(QOS)DIVISION

4.8 QoSdivisionisresponsibleforlayingdownregulationstoensurethestandardsofQualityof

Service(BasicTelephoneService,CellularMobileTelecomService,WirelessDataService,and

BroadbandService)tobeprovidedbytheserviceproviders;toprotecttheinterestofTelecom

Consumer; toensureaccuracyofmeteringandbilling; topreventUnsolicitedCommercial

Communications (UCC), spam The division is responsible for framing of guidelines for

registrationofconsumerorganizations/Non-GovernmentalOrganizations(NGOs)andtheir

interactions with TRAI. The division monitors the Quality of Service through periodic

performancereportssubmittedbytheServiceProvidersonvariousPerformanceIndicators.

Quality of service of the service providers is also assessed through field measurements

conducted across the country. The division handles recommendations on the references

received before introduction of new technologies in telecom sector. The division is also

responsibleformaintainingaregisterofinterconnectagreementsandofallsuchothermatters

asmaybeprovidedintheregulations.

LEGALDIVISION

4.9 LegalDivisionisresponsibleforrenderinglegaladvicetotheAuthorityonallregulatoryissues,

draftingandvettingofalllegaldocuments.TheDivisionmanagesalllitigationmattersinwhich

TRAIisaparty.

128

Sl.No. POSTS SANCTIONED ACTUAL

1. SECRETARY 01 01

2. PR.ADVISOR

3. ADVISOR

4. JT.ADVISOR 25 21

5. DY.ADVISOR 10 09

6. SR.PR.PRIVATESECRETARY 03 03

7. SR.RESEARCHOFFICER 35 26

8. PRINCIPALPRIVATESECRETARY 05 03

9. TECHNICALOFFICER 12 11

10. TECHNICALOFFICER(ENGINEERING) 5 0

11. SECTIONOFFICER 20 17

12. PRIVATESECRETARY 12 11

14 12

CONSUMERAFFAIRS,INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGY&TECHNOLOGYDEVELOPMENT(CA,

IT&TD)DIVISION

4.10 CA Division is responsible for the development of consumer advocacy in the

telecommunicationsectorandcreatinggeneralawarenessamongstconsumersaboutvarious

measures taken by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to protect the interest of

consumers. The division facilitates registration of consumer organizations and non-

governmentalorganizationsfromalloverthecountrywithTRAIandinteractswiththemon

various issues concerning the consumers. The other activities of the division include

organizing consumer education/outreach programmes, capacity building of consumer

organizationsregisteredwithTRAI,byorganizingregionalworkshops&seminaronrelevant

topics,undertakemediacampaigns,developingandpublishingconsumereducationmaterial

inHindi,Englishandregionallanguagesforenhancingconsumereducationetc.

TheITsectioninTRAIisresponsibleforcateringITneedsofvariousDivisionslikeanalytics&

visualizationofdata,implementation&maintenanceofvariousportals&TRAIwebsite,web

applications, mobile app development, video conferencing etc. TRAI’s IT division also

maintainscomputerhardwareassetsandLANsetupofTRAI.

TD Section is conducting technical sessions, time to time, from eminent persons in their

respective fields,soas tocreateawarenessregardingnewtechnologytrendsandcapacity

buildingamongofficersofTRAI.TheSectionisalsopublishingtechnicalinformationpaperin

theformof‘TechnologyDigest’fromtimetotimeforspreadingknowledgeintelecomand

broadcastingdomain.TDsectionalsolooksafterthecomplaintsregardingmobiletowerssuch

asinstallation/removal,radiationshazard,monetaryfrauds,courtcases,RTIetc.

(c)HUMANRESOURCES

st4.11 Astaffof180(ason31 March,2021)ishandlingtheworkintheSecretariatofTRAI(HQ),

whichperforms the tasksassigned to itby theAuthority in thedischargeof its functions.

Wherevernecessary,Consultantsareengaged.

st(i)StaffstrengthofTRAIHQ(ason31 March,2021)

st4.12Ason31 March,2021,theStaffstrengthoftheTRAI(Headquarters)wasasunder:

13. ASSISTANT 48 35

14. PERSONALASSISTANT 18 09

15 JR.HINDITRANSLATOR 01 00

16. LDC 07 01

17. DRIVERSPECIALGRADE 01 00

18. DRIVERGRADE-I 04 02

19. DRIVERGRADE-II 04 04

20. DRIVERORDINARYGRADE 04 04

21. PCMO 02 02

22. DESPATCHRIDER 01 01

23. ATTENDANTS 05 08

TOTAL 237 180

129

PostheldSNo. NameoftheOfficer Photograph

st4.13 DetailsofSecretary,Pr.Advisors/AdvisorsLevelOfficersinTRAI(HQ)ason31 March,2021

1 Sh.SunilKumarGupta Secretary

2 Sh.S.K.Mishra PrincipalAdvisor(F&EA)

3 Sh.RajivSinha PrincipalAdvisor(B&CS)

4 Sh.SanjeevKumarSharma Advisor(Admn.&IR)


5 Sh.AnilKumar Advisor(B&CS)-I

6 Sh.SunilKumarSinghal Advisor(BB&PA)

7 Sh.SanjeevBanzal Advisor(CA,IT&TD)

8 Sh.ArvindKumar Advisor(B&CS)-II

9 Sh.S.T.Abbas Advisor(NSL)-I

10 Sh.RajivRanjanTiwari Advisor(Legal)

11 Sh.AsitKadayan Advisor(QoS)

130

131


12 Sh.KaushalKishore Advisor(F&EA)

13 Sh.AmitSharma Advisor(F&EA)

4.14 TRAIpersonnelareinitiallydrawnondeputationfromtheGovernmentDepartments.These

deputationists with relevant experience in the fields of telecommunication, economics,

finance, administration, etc., are initially appointed for a period of two/three years and

thereafter, if required, requests are sent to concerned Government Departments/

Organizationsforextendingtheirdeputations.Seekingextensionofdeputationsinrespectof

trainedandexperiencedexistingemployeeshasoftenprovedtobedifficult.Whilethescope,

scaleandcomplexityofAuthority’sfunctionscontinuetogrowatafastpace,theAuthorityis

facing the problem of losing trained and experienced personnel due to their frequent

repatriationtotheirparentdepartments.TheAuthorityhas,therefore,constitutedacadreof

officersandstaffwithspecializedexpertiseandskillswiththeoptionofpermanentabsorption

inTRAI.

(ii) Recruitment

4.15 TheAuthorityhas constituted its own cadreof officers and staff bywayof absorbing the

officialswhoareondeputationtoTRAIfromvariousMinistries/Departments/PSUs.However,

mostdeputationists,particularlyintheseniorandmiddlelevelsdonotexerciseoptionfor

permanentabsorption.Therefore,therecruitmentofpersonnelforitsSecretariatbywayof

deputationfromotherMinistries/Departments/PSUsstillcontinues.Thisisduetothereason

thatamongGovernmentemployees,therelevantexpertiseisavailablemainlyintheMinistries

or with the Government owned Telecom Operators. However, the Authority has been

experiencingdifficultyinrecruitingspecializedmanpower,onaccountofunattractiveterms&

conditionsofservice.

(iii)Training

4.16 TRAIaccordsutmostimportancetohumanresourceinitiativestodevelopexpertiseforitsstaff

inthefieldsofTelecomandBroadcasting.Astructuredtrainingpolicyhasbeenputinplace

coveringalltheemployees.Thefollowingtypesoftrainingarebeinggiventoemployeesof

TRAI:-

i. Orientation/EntryLevelTraining

ii. ShortTermThematicTraining

132

iii. LongTermTraining–Mostlyonlinecourses

iv. Mid-CareerTrainingProgram

v. Others–InternationaltrainingandOnJobtraining

Thisinitiativehasprovedtobeusefulforitsofficersandstaffinparticipatingeffectivelyinthe

consultativeprocessfortheAuthority,boththroughthepreparationofconsultationpapers

andanalyzingfeedbackandresponsesreceived.Thishasalsohelpedindevelopingthepolicy

frameworktoaddressvariousissueswhichariseinregulatingthetelecomsector.Inselecting

anddesigningtrainingprogrammes/workshops,TRAI’sendeavouristoimpartdiverseskills

for macro-level policy and handling of technoeconomic operating details relevant for

implementationandmonitoringofpolicies.Specialprogrammesaretobeidentified/designed

andruntomeetthespecificneedsofTRAI.TheAuthoritysponsorsitsofficersforinternational

trainings under the ‘Institutional Capacity Building Project’ for further developing their

expertisewithintheorganization.

4.17 DuetoCOVID-19pandemicsmostofthetrainingswereconductedonlineratherthanface-to-

facetrainings.TheseTrainingProgrammeswere,inter-alia,conductedbyGSMA,International

TelecommunicationsUnion(ITU)andAsiaPacificTelecommunity(APT).Theofficershave

received valuable inputs through these trainingswhichhave enriched their skills in their

respectiveareaofregulatorywork.ThetopicsincludePrinciplesofMobilePrivacy,5G-The

Path to theNextGeneration,Radio Signals andHealth, SpectrumManagement forMobile

Telecommunications,RegulatoryRecommendationstosustainConnectivityduringCOVID-19

Crises,Responding toDisaster&HumanitarianCrises, Technical, business and regulatory

aspectsof5GNetwork,IoTAdvancedApplications:SmartCity&Industry4.0etc.

(iv) Seminar/Workshops

4.18 In order to keep pace with the developments taking place globally, the Authority has

nominatedmembersofitsstafftovariousinternationalevents,meetingsandsymposia,which

were held through virtual platformdue to CoVID-19Pandemic. These programs not only

helpedgathervaluablefeedback/inputsforitsownpolicyformulationaswelltokeepabreast

with the latest development in the fields of technology but has also contributed to the

internationaleffortsbeingfocusedonissuesofmajorregulatoryconcernsinIndiaandmany

othercountriesandenabledIndiatoplayaleadingroleintheemergingglobalinformation

society.

(v) Officeaccommodation

4.19 AsperthepolicyoftheGovernmentofIndiaTRAIisaneligibleofficeforOfficeAccommodation

fromGovernmentpool.But,sinceitsinceptionin1997TRAIhasbeenfunctioningthrough

rentedaccommodation.Presently,TRAI'sofficeissituatedinabuildingownedbyMTNLon

rentalbasis.

GovernmentofIndia(GoI)throughDepartmentofTelecommunication(DoT)hasapprovedthe

proposalforprocurementofbuilt-upOfficeSpaceforTRAIinupcomingWorldTradeCentre

(WTC),NaurojiNagar,NewDelhi.TRAIhasbeenallottedanareaof1,15,982Sq.Ft. inthe

projectthatisunderconstruction.

133

(vi) ResidentialquartersforTRAIstaff

4.20 Asper the existingpolicyof theGovernmentof India employees joining theAuthorityon

deputationarepermittedretentionofgeneralpoolaccommodationonpaymentofSpecial

Licence Fee by the Authority who may recover normal licence fee from the employees.

Permissibleperiodofretentionwillbetill thesuperannuationoftheemployeesortill the

durationoftheirtenurewiththeAuthority,whicheverisearlier.Theeligibilityforallotmentof

General Pool residential accommodationwouldbe restricted to the officersposted in the

SecretariatoftheAuthority(TRAI)inDelhi,whowereeligibleforallotmentofaccommodation

fromGeneralPoolpriortotheirjoiningintheAuthorityonpaymentofspeciallicencefeeby

TRAItotheDirectorateofEstates.Inviewoftheforgoingposition,theDirectorateofEstatesis

neither allotting the general pool accommodation nor allowing retention of the

accommodationalreadyallottedtotheofficersandstaff,aftertheygetabsorbedinTRAI.

ArrangementforprovidingaccommodationtotheemployeesofTRAIhasalsobeenmadeby

signingMoUwithMTNL/BSNLwherebyMTNL/BSNLshallearmarkanaccommodationpool

ofresidentialquartersonleasebasistoTRAIforrentingthemtoitsemployees.

(vii) MedicalfacilitytoemployeesofTRAIafterretirement:

4.21 MedicalfacilitytoemployeesofTRAIisgovernedbytheScheduleIIofTRAI(Salary,Allowance

andotherconditionsofserviceoftheofficersandemployees)Rules,2002.TRAIhadrequested

DoTforinclusionofmedicalfacilitytoemployeesofTRAIaftertheirretirementinthesaid

rules.

DepartmentofTelecommunicationsnotified"TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia(Salary,

Allowances and other conditions of Service of the officers and employees) (Amendment)ndRules, 2020" in the Gazette of India on 22 December, 2020 videwhich the officers and

employeesof theAuthority,both servingandretired,havebeenmadeentitled tomedical

facilities.

(viii) RecreationRoomforWomenemployeesofTRAI:

4.22 Thefemaleofficersandofficialsformahealthychunkoftheentireorganisation.Therefore,a

necessitytohaveaseparateplaceforthemtocatertotheirrecreationalneedswasfeltfora

longtime.Inquesttofulfilthisneed,anewrecreationroomwascreatedintheofficepremises

forwomenemployeeswhichwasinauguratedbyHon’bleChairperson,TRAIanddedicatedtoth

allthefemaleemployeesontheoccasionofInternationalWomenDaycelebratedon8 March,

2021inTRAI.

134

(d) FUNDING

4.23 TRAIisaregulatorybodysetupbyanActofParliament.ItiswhollyfundedbytheGovernment

ofIndia.AccordingtoSection21oftheTRAIAct,1997,theCentralGovernmentmay,afterdue

appropriationmadebyParliamentbylawinthisbehalf,maketotheAuthoritygrantsofsuch

sums of money as are required to pay salaries and allowances to the Chairperson, the

Members,theOfficersandotheremployeesoftheAuthority.Section22(1)(a)&(b)oftheAct

statesthatthereshallbeconstitutedafundtobecalledtheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityof

Indiageneralfundandallgrants,feesandchargesreceivedbytheAuthorityunderthisact;and

RecreationRoomforwomenemployeesinauguratedbyHon’bleChairperson,TRAIonth

InternationalWomen’sDayheldon8 March,2021

allsumsreceivedbytheAuthorityfromsuchothersourcesasmaybedecidedbytheCentral

Government,shallbecreditedtothisfund.ThetotalexpenditureincurredbyTRAIintheyear

2020-21was`91.20crore.Themajorheadsofexpenditureduringtheperiodwere‘salaries’,

‘rent’,‘professionalfee’etc.

4.24 Ifaminorportionofthe licencefeesbeingrecoveredfromtheregulatees isallowedtobe

utilizedtomeetTRAI’soperationalexpenses,intheformofadministrativecharges,theneed

forgovernmentalsupportintheformofgrant-in-aidwouldtotallycease.Suchanarrangement

would give TRAI the necessary flexibility and independence to perform effectively as an

independentregulator.RegulatorslikeIRDA,SEBIandRBIenjoythefreedomtorecruitnew

talentatdifferent levels fromnon-governmental sourcesalsoanddetermine their service

conditions.ThereisanurgentneedtoemulatesuchhealthypracticestoenableTRAItohave

thenecessaryskillstodealwiththecomplexissuesthatariseinthetelecomsectorglobally.

(e) TRAIREGIONALOFFICES

4.25 Authorityhadapproved11(eleven)RegionalOfficesofTRAIatvariouslocationsacrossthe

countryintheyear2012.TheAuthorityreviewedtheworkingoftheRegionalOfficesand

approvedtheclosureof5RegionalOfficeslocatedatChandigarh,Patna,Mumbai,Guwahati

and Lucknow and continuation of 6 (six) Regional Offices located at Hyderabad, Kolkata,

Bengaluru,Bhopal,JaipurandDelhiduring2014-15withrevisedjurisdictions.TheseRegional

OfficesofTRAIareoperatingonPilotProjectbasisunderPlanFundaspartoftheCapacitystBuildingProjectofTRAI.TRAIhasdecidedtocontinuethe06RegionalOfficesupto31 March,

2022 as a part of capacity building Project. The locations of RegionalOfficewith revised

License–ServiceAreascovered(during2020-21)areasfollows:-

SN Locationofthe6 LicenseServiceAreascovered

TRAIRegionalOffices byeachRegionalOffices

1 Kolkata WestBengal,Kolkata,Northeast,Assam,Bihar

2 Bengaluru Karnataka,Kerala,Maharashtra,Mumbai

3 Hyderabad AndhraPradesh,TamilnaduincludingChennai,Orissa

4 Bhopal MadhyaPradesh,UP(East),UP(West)

5 Jaipur Rajasthan,Gujarat,Haryana,Punjab

6 Delhi Delhi,HimachalPradesh,Jammu&Kashmir

st StaffstrengthofTRAIRegionalOffices(ason31 March,2021)

st4.26 Ason31 March,2021,theStaffstrengthoftheTRAI(RegionalOffices)wasasunder:

SL.NO. POSTS SANCTIONED WORKING

1. Advisors 06 03

2. Jt.Advisor/Dy.Advisor 12 09

3. Sr.ResearchOfficer 12 8

4. Assistant 06 2

TOTAL 36 22

135

4.28A.TheroleandfunctionsoftheaboveRegionalOffices(ROs)are:

(i) EnsuringcomplianceofTariffrelatedGuidelines&effectivemonitoringofRetailTariff

ofTelecommunications,Broadcasting&CableServices;

(ii) PropercoordinationwithServiceProviderswithregardtoRegulatoryandmarketing

aspects;

(iii) MonitoringofQualityofServiceandhandlingofconsumergrievance;

(iv) Organizing Open House Discussions (OHD) / Consumer Advocacy Groups (CAG)

meetingsofTRAI;

(v) Coordination&monitoringofAuditandSurveybyIndependentAgenciesappointedby

TRAI;

(vi) DevelopmentofCAGuptoDistrict/BlocklevelandcloseinteractionwithCAGs;

(vii) OrganizingConsumerEducationWorkshops;

Nameofthe

Officer(S/Shri/Smt.)

Sl

No.

Locationof

RegionalOffice

Post

1. Hyderabad A.Munisekhar Advisor

2. Bengaluru ShreenivasS.Galgali Advisor

3. Bhopal VinodGupta Advisor

4. Jaipur Vacant Advisor

5. Kolkata Vacant Advisor

6. Delhi Vacant Advisor

st4.27DetailsofAdvisorlevelofficersinTRAIRegionalOffices(ason31 March,2021)

136

(viii) CloseinteractionwithTERMCellofDoT;

(ix) MonitoringofimplementationofMobileNumberPortability(MNP)Regulationsand

UnsolicitedCommercialCommunications(UCC)Regulations;

(x) MonitoringofregistrationofMSOs/LCOsontheportalandvalidityofregistrationof

LCOs;

(xi) Performsuchotherfunctionsincludingsuchadministrativeandfinancialfunctionsas

maybeentrustedtoitbytheHeadquartersofTRAIorasmaybenecessarytocarryout

theprovisionsofTRAIAct;

(xii) MonitoringofinformationofMSOsandLCOsonServiceProviderPortal(SPP). ROs

willinteractwithMSOstoensurethatentryonPortalisdonebyallMSOsandtheir

LCOs;

(xiii) Analysisandup-keepingofAgreementbetweenMSOandLCO(MIA/SIA);

(xiv) MonitoringandImplementationofQoSRegulationforMSOs;

(xv) LoggingofConsumerComplaintsagainstDTHOperatorsandmajorMSOsreceivedat

RegionalOfficesinBCCMSportal;

(xvi) UploadingconsumercomplaintsreceivedbytheminTCCMSportalandcoordinating

withtheServiceProviderfortheproperconductofconsumereducationprograms;and

(xvii) AnalysisofDCRmatrixforeachquarterandfollowupwithTSPstoimproveuponthe

QualityofServices.

(f) RIGHTTOINFORMATIONACT

4.29 During the financial year 2020-21, total 730 applications were received seeking various

informationunder theRTIAct2005.All theseapplicationswerepromptlydealtwith,and

replieshavebeensentwithinthestipulatedtimeperiod.

(g) IS/ISO9001:2015CERTIFICATIONTOTRAI

4.30 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was awarded ISO 9001:2000 certificate in

December,2004bytheBureauofIndianStandards(BIS).Thecertificatehasbeenrenewedin

theyear2007,2010,2013,2016.BISwhilerenewingin2016insistedforlatestcertification

series of IS/ISO9001:2015.Accordingly, TRAI obtained IS/ISO9001:2015 certification in

August, 2018. Thereafter, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been carrying out its

SurveillanceauditoftheQualityManagementSystem(QMS)ofTRAIonperiodicbasis.

(h) IMPLEMENTATIONOFOFFICIALLANGUAGEPOLICY

4.31 An Official Language Section under the supervision of Secretary, TRAI is functioning in

TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiatoimplementtheprovisionsofOfficialLanguageAct,

1963, Official Languages Rules, 1976 and other administrative instructions issued on the

subjectfromtimetotimebytheDepartmentofOfficialLanguage(MinistryofHomeAffairs).

TRAImakeseveryefforttoensurethecomplianceoftheOfficialLanguagePolicyoftheUnion

GovernmentinTRAI.Besides,italsocaterstothetranslationneedsofvariousDivisionsasand

137

when regulations, press communiques, tender notices, gazette notifications and other

documentsareissuedinbilingualform.

The implementation of the Official Language Policy of the Union Government by all the

Divisions and Sections of TRAI is monitored by the Official Language Implementation

Committee(OLIC)constitutedundertheChairmanshipofAdvisor(Administration).Meetings

oftheOLICareheldregularlyineveryquarter.Inthesemeetings,specialemphasisisgivenon

increasingtheprogressiveuseofHindiinofficialwork.Besides,areviewofthecurrentstatus

ofimplementationofOfficialLanguagepolicyinTRAIisalsodoneandfutureaction-planin

thisregardisdrawn.ValuablesuggestionsofthemembersoftheCommitteeareinvitedtogear

uptheworkrelatingtoOfficialLanguage.Duringtheperiodofthereport,3meetingsofOLICth th th

wereheldon14 September,2020,30 December,2020and30 March,2021respectively.

IncompliancewiththedirectivesreceivedfromtheDepartmentofOfficialLanguage(Ministry

ofHomeAffairs)andDepartmentofTelecommunications,"HindiPakhwara"wasorganizedinth th

TRAI from 14 September, 2020 to 28 September, 2020, during which various Hindi

competitionsviz.HindiKahani-lekhan/KathaVistar,HindiNibandhLekhan,HindiQuiz,Hindi

KavitaPathPratiyogita etc. andHindiNibandhLekhanonly forGroup ‘D’wereorganized

throughonlinemode.AnumberofofficersuptotherankofSeniorResearchOfficerandstaff

tookpartinthecompetitionwithgreatzealandenthusiasm.OntheoccasionofHindiDivas,a

message from Chairperson, TRAI for ensuring the compliance of Official Language

rules/regulationswascirculatedamongtheofficers/staff.

InordertoincreasetheprogressiveuseofHindiinday-to-dayofficialwork,anannualincentive

schemeviz.VarshikProtsahanYojnahasbeenintroducedinTRAIforofficers/officialsfromthe

lasttenyears.Underthisscheme,10cashprizesaregiveneveryyeartotheofficers/officialsfor

doingofficialworkinHindiduringtheperiodofthescheme.Thisschemehasprovedtobevery

popularamongthestaffandithasencouragedthestafftodomostoftheirofficialworkinHindi

throughouttheyear.

Witha view to facilitatingofficers/officials todonotinganddrafting inHindi andalso to

apprise them of the Official Language Policy of the Union Government, regular Hindi

workshops are organized in TRAI. During these workshops dictionaries, administrative

glossaries,help/referencebooksetc.aredistributedtotheparticipants,whichrenderthem

usefulhelpwhiledoingtheirofficialworkinHindi.Duringtheperiodunderreport,three(03)th st thHindiworkshopswereorganizedon09 September,2020,31 December,2020and30 March,

2021respectively.

138

thHindiworkshoporganizedon9 September,2020hostedbyShriKewalKrishna,Senior

TechnicalDirector(Senior),NIC,Delhi,tofurtherstrengthentheuseofHindiinTRAI.

(i)IMPLEMENTATIONOFRESERVATIONPRESCRIBEDFORRESERVEDCATEGORIES

4.32 TRAIhasbeenadhering to theprovisionsof reservationprescribed foreligiblecategories

whilemakingpromotions.NoappointmentondirectrecruitmentbasishasbeenmadeinTRAI

duringtheyear.ALiaisonOfficeroftherankofDirectorhasbeenappointedtotakecareof

implementationofinstructionsrelatingtospecialrepresentationofreservedcategories.

139

AUDITEDACCOUNTSOFTRAIFORTHEYEAR2020-21

B)

S eparate Audit Report of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India on the AnnualstAccountsofTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiafortheyearended31 March,2021

1. WehaveauditedtheattachedBalanceSheetoftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaasonst

31 March,2021andtheIncomeandExpenditureAccount/ReceiptsandPaymentsAccountfor

theyearendedonthatdateunderSection19(2)oftheComptroller&AuditorGeneral’s(Duties,

Powers&ConditionsofService)Act,1971readwithSection23(2)oftheTelecomRegulatory

AuthorityofIndiaAct,1997(asamendedinJanuary2000).Thesefinancialstatementsarethe

responsibilityoftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia’smanagement.Ourresponsibilityis

toexpressanopiniononthesefinancialstatementsbasedonouraudit.

2. ThisSeparateAuditReportcontainsthecommentsoftheComptroller&AuditorGeneralofIndia

(CAG)ontheaccountingtreatmentonlywithregardtoclassification,conformitywiththebest

accountingpractices,accountingstandardsanddisclosurenorms,etc.Auditobservationson

financialtransactionswithregardtocompliancewiththeLaw,Rules&Regulations(Propriety

and Regularity) and efficiency-cum performance aspects, etc, if any, are reported through

InspectionReports/CAG’sAuditReportsseparately.

3. Wehaveconductedourauditinaccordancewiththeauditingstandardsgenerallyacceptedin

India. These standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable

assuranceaboutwhetherthe financialstatementsare free frommaterialmisstatements.An

auditincludesexamining,onatestbasis,evidencessupportingtheamountsanddisclosurein

thefinancialstatements.Anauditalsoincludesassessingtheaccountingprinciplesusedand

significantestimatesmadebymanagement,aswellasevaluatingtheoverallpresentationof

financialstatements.Webelievethatourauditprovidesareasonablebasisforouropinion.

4. Basedonouraudit,wereportthat:

i. Wehaveobtainedalltheinformationandexplanations,whichtothebestofourknowledge

andbeliefwerenecessaryforthepurposeofaudit;

ii. The Balance Sheet and the Income and Expenditure Account/Receipts and Payments

Accountdealtwithbythisreporthavebeendrawnupinthe‘UniformformatofAccounts’

approved by the Controller General of Accounts under Section 23 (1) of the Telecom

RegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997(asamendedinJanuary2000)

iii. Inouropinion,properbooksofaccountsandotherrelevantrecordshavebeenmaintained

by the TelecomRegulatory Authority of India as required under Section 23(1) of the

TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndiaAct,1997(asamendedinJanuary2000)insofaras

itappearfromourexaminationofsuchbooks.

iv. OurobservationsontheannualaccountsofTRAIaregiveninsubsequentparagraphs.

A. BalanceSheet

CurrentLiabilitiesandProvisions(Schedule7)- 36.93Crore.

i) OtherCurrentLiabilities-TRAIGeneralFund(EMD)

Theaboveheadisoverstatedby`22.45lakhduetoinclusionofEMDspertainingtotheperiod

from2004-05to2017-18.TheseEMDsneedtobereviewedoncasetocasebasisandwrittenoff,

ifrequired.Thishasalsoresultedinoverstatementofdeficitbythesameamount.

140

ii) Provisions-Provisionsforexpenses

Theaboveheadisoverstatedby`3.45croreduetoinclusionofamountswhichareveryold

pertaining to theperiod from1997-98 to2017-18.TRAI should review thesebalancesand

whichneedstobereviewedandwrittenoff,ifrequired.Thishasalsoresultedinoverstatement

ofdeficitbythesameamount.

Assets

FixedAssets(Schedule8)- 8.77Crore

i) Theaboveheadisunderstatedby`16.98lakhduetonon-capitalizationofe-Office(lite)thversionlicensepurchasedon18 November2020for`18.33lakh.Thishasalsoresultedin

understatementofdepreciationby`1.35lakhandunderstatementofdeficitbythesame

amount.

ii) Theaboveheadisunderstatedby`40.79lakhduetonon-capitalizationofrouters,switchth

and8smallForm-FactorPluggableTransceiverpurchasedthroughGEMon16 March2021.

B. Income&Expenditure

Expenditure

Depreciation(Schedule8)- 1.61Crore.

Theaboveheadisoverstatedby`23.15lakhduetochargingofdepreciationforcompleteyear

insteadofpro-ratainrespectofmobiles,laptops,furniture&fixturesandvehiclespurchased

duringtheyear.Thishasresultedinexcessdepreciationandoverstatementofdeficitbythe

sameamount.

C. GRANTSINAID

Outofthegrantsinaidof `110.84crore(includingunspentbalanceof`20.84croreofthe

earlieryear)receivedduringtheyear,TRAIutilisedasumof 89.78crore,leavingabalanceof st21.06crore,asunutilisedgrantason31 March,2021.

i. Subjecttoourobservationsintheprecedingparagraphs,wereportthattheBalanceSheet

andtheIncomeandExpenditureAccount/ReceiptsandPaymentsAccountdealtwithbythis

Reportareinagreementwiththebooksofaccounts.

ii. Inouropinionandtothebestofourinformationandaccordingtotheexplanationsgivento

us,thesaidfinancialstatementsreadtogetherwiththeAccountingPoliciesandNoteson

Accounts,andsubjecttothesignificantmattersstatedaboveandothermattersmentionedin

Annexure-ItothisAuditReportgiveatrueandfairviewinconformitywiththeaccounting

principlesacceptedinIndia:

a. InsofarasitrelatestotheBalanceSheet,ofthestateofaffairsoftheTelecomRegulatorystAuthorityofIndiaason31 March,2021;and

b. InsofarasitrelatestotheIncomeandExpenditureAccountoftheDeficitfortheyear

endedonthatdate.

ForandonbehalfofC&AGofIndia

-Sd/-

(ManishKumar)

DirectorGeneralofAudit

(Finance&Communication)

141

Annexure-ItoSeparateAuditReportontheaccountsofTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofstIndiafortheyearended31 March2021

Aspertheinformationandexplanationsgiventous,thebooksandrecordsexaminedbyusin

normalcourseofauditandtothebestofourknowledgeandbelief,wefurtherreportthat:

1. AdequacyofInternalAuditSystem.

TheInternalAuditofTRAIwasconducteduptoMarch2021andgotapprovedbytheSecretary,

TRAI.TheInternalAuditSystemoftheorganizationisadequateandcommensuratewithitssize

andnatureofitsfunction.

2. AdequacyofInternalControlSystem

TheInternalControlSystemoftheorganizationisadequateandcommensuratewithitssizeand

thenatureofitsfunctions.

3. SystemofPhysicalVerificationofFixedAssets.

TheregistersofFixedAssetsaremaintainedmanuallyaswellascomputerizedform,Physical

verificationofAssets/storesisbeingconductedannually.

Inouropinion,theSystemofPhysicalverificationoffixedassetsoftheorganisationisadequate

andcommensuratewithitssizeandthenatureifitsfunctions.

4. SystemofPhysicalVerificationofInventory.

Inventoryofstoreitemslikestationeryandconsumableitemsarekeptinstockregisterand

physicalverificationisdoneattheyearend.

Inouropinion,thesystemforphysicalverificationofinventoryisadequateandcommensurate

withitssizeandthenatureofitsfunctions.

5. RegularityinpaymentofStatutoryDues.

There was no disputed amount payable in respect of any other statutory dues including

ContributoryProvidentFund.

-Sd/-

(ManishKumar)



142

FORMOFFIN

ANCIA

LSTATEMENTS(NON-PROFITORGANISATIO

NS)

TELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIA

stBALANCESHEETASON31

March2021

REVENUE

2020-21

2019-20

CORPUS/CAPITALFUND

RESE

RVESANDSURPLUS

EARMARKED/E

NDOWMENTFUNDS

SECUREDLOANSANDBORROWIN

GS

UNSE

CUREDLOANSANDBORROWIN

GS

DEFERREDCREDITLIABILITIES

CURRENTLIABILITIESANDPROVISIONS

TOTAL

ASSETS

FIXEDASSETS

INVEST

MENTS-FROMEARMARKED/E

NDOWMENTFUNDS

INVEST

MENTS-OTHERS

CURRENTASSETS,LOANS,ADVANCESETC

MISCELLANEOUSEXPENDITURE

(totheextentnotwritten

offorad

justed

)

TOTAL

SIGNIFICANTACCOUNTIN

GPOLICIES

CONTIN

GENTLIABILITIESANDNOTESONACCOUNTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11

24

25

(4,99,11,135)

226,198,520

- -

-

36,92,99,430

54,55,86,815

8,77,39,210

-

-

45,78,47,605

54,55,86,815

(3,92,85,802)

43,04,71,351

39,11,85,549

9,02,63,679

30,09,21,870

39,11,85,549

-Sd/-

Pr.Advisor(F&EA)

-Sd/-

Chairperson

-Sd/-

Mem

ber

-Sd/-

Secretary

143

FORMOFFIN

ANCIA

LSTATEMENTS(N

ON-PROFITORGANISATIO

NS)


st

INCOMEANDEXPENDITUREACCOUNTFORTHEYEARENDED31

March2021

REVENUE

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYe

ar2019-20

IncomefromSales/Services

Grants/Subsidies

Fee/Su

bscriptions

IncomefromInvestmen

ts(IncomeonInvestfromearmarked

/en

dow.

Fundstran

sferredtoFunds

IncomeforRoyalty,Publicationetc.

InterestEarned

OtherIncome

Increase(decrease)in

stockofFinished

goodsan

dworks-in-progress

TOTAL(A

)

EXPENDITURE

Estab

lishmen

tExp

enses

OtherAdministrativeExp

ensesetc

Exp

enditureonGrants,Subsidiesetc

Interest

Dep

reciation(NetTotalattheyearend-correspondingtoSched

ule8)

TOTAL(B)

Balan

cebeingexcessofIncomeoverExp

enditure(A-B)

TransfertoSpecialR

eserve(Sp

ecifyeach)

Transferto/fromGen

eralReserve

BALANCEBEIN

GSURPLUS/(D

EFICIT)CARRIEDTOCORPUS/CAPITALFUND


GPOLICIES

CONTIN

GENTLABILITIESANDNOTESONACCOUNTS

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

90,00,00,000 -

-

7,04,564

193,488

-

90,08,98,052

43,06,41,796

46,47,68,002 -

-

1,61,13,587

91,15,23,385

(1,06,25,333)

90,00,00,000

2,84,667

90,02,84,667

46,06,09,333

44,36,29,717

1,47,24,511

91,89,63,561

(1,86,78,894)

Sch

edule

Inco

me

-Sd/-

Pr.Advisor(F&EA)

-Sd/-

Chairperson

-Sd/-

Mem

ber

-Sd/-

Secretary

144

FORMOFFINANCIALSTATEMENTS(NON-PROFITORGANISATIONS)TELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIA

stSCHEDULESFORMINGPARTOFBALANCESHEETASON31 March2021

(3,92,85,802)

(1,06,25,333)

(4,99,11,135)

REVENUE

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

Balanceasatthebeginningoftheyear

Add:/LessContributionstowardsCorpus/CapitalFund

Add/(Deduct):Balanceofnetincome/(expenditure)

transferredfromthe

IncomeandExpenditureAccount

BALANCESHEETASATTHEYEAR-END

(2,06,06,908)

(1,86,78,894)

(3,92,85,802)

SCHEDULEI-CORPUS/CAPITALFUND

SCHEDULE2-RESERVESANDSURPLUS

NON-PLAN

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

-Sd/-Consultant(F&EA)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1. CapitalReserve:

AsperlastAccount

Additionduringtheyear

Less:Deductionsduringtheyear

2. RevaluationReserve:

AsperlastAccount



3. SpecialReserve:

AsperlastAccount



4. GeneralReserve:

AsperlastAccount



TOTAL

145

FORMOFFIN

ANCIA


NS)


st

SCHEDULESFORMIN

GPARTOFBALANCESHEETASON31

March2021

REVENUE

Curren

tYe

ar2020-21

PreviousYe

ar2019-20

a)Openingbalanceofthefunds

b)Additionsofthefunds:

i.Donations/gran

ts

ii.Incomefromin

vestmen

tsm

adeonaccountoffunds

iii.O

theradditions(Miscincome,receiptofad

vances)

(iv)FundsReceivedfromDOTfo

rbuilding

TOTAL(a+b)

c)Utilisation/e

xependituretoward

sobjectivesoffunds

i.C

apitalExpenditure

-Fixed

Assets

-Others

B

uildingad

vanceNBCC

Total

ii.R

eve

nueExpenditure

-Salaries,WagesandAllowan

cesetc

-Ren

t-OtherAdministrativeExp

enses

Total

TOTAL(c)

NETBALANCEASATTHEYEAR-END(a+b+c)

NIL -

-Sd/-

Consultan

t(F&EA)

Fund

ZZ

SCHEDULE3-EARMARKED/ENDOWMENTFUNDS

TOTAL

Notes

1)Disclosuresshallb

emad

eunderrelevan

theadbased

onconditionsattachingtothegran

ts

2)Thebalan

ceislyingincurren

tAccountofTRAIgeneralfundshownin

Ban

kbalan

cesatSched

ule11ofCurren

tAssetsloan

san

dadvances.

NIL -

Fund

YY

Fund

XX

Building

Fund

-

113,00,00,000

113,00,00,000

90,38,01,480

90,38,01,480

22,61,98,520

146

REVENUE

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

SCHEDULE4-SECUREDLOANSANDBORROWINGS

-Sd/-

Consultant(F&EA)

REVENUE

SCHEDULE5-UNSECUREDLOANSANDBORROWINGS

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(Amountin`)

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

1. CentralGovernment

2. StateGovernment(Specify)

3. FinancialInstitutions

4. Banks

a) TermLoans

-Interestaccruedanddue

b) Other-Loans(Specify)


5. OtherInstitutionsandAgencies

6. DebenturesandBonds

7. Others(Specify)

TOTAL

Note:Amountduewithinoneyear.




4. Banks

a) TermLoans






7. Others(Specify)

TOTAL

Note:Amountduewithinoneyear.

147

-

-

-

-

REVENUE

SCHEDULE6-DEFERREDCREDITLIABILITIES

-

-

-

-

-Sd/-

Consultant(F&EA)

REVENUE

SCHEDULE7-CURRENTLIABILITIESANDPROVISIONS

------------

57,01,8711,78,30215,631

92,00,0001,50,95,804

9,25,26,411

9,98,88,759

16,17,88,45635,42,03,62636,92,99,430

------------

79,92,5751,78,3025,46,363

7,93,30,0158,80,47,255

8,60,42,258

9,27,13,358

16,36,68,48034,24,24,09643,04,71,351

(Amountin`)

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

a) Acceptancessecuredbyhypothecationof

capitalequipmentandotherassets

b) Others

TOTAL

Note:Amountsduewithinoneyear.

A. CURRENTLIABILITIES 1) Acceptances 2) SundryCreditors a) ForGoods b) Others 3) AdvancesReceived 4) Interestaccruedbutnotdueon: a)Securedloans/borrowings b)UnsecuredLoans/borrowings 5) StatutoryLiabilities a)Overdue b)Others 6) OthercurrentLiabilities 1) ForTRAIGeneralFund(EMD) 2) ForTelemarketersRegistrationFees 3) ForCustomerEducationFees 4) PenaltyfromTelemarketersTOTAL(A)B.PROVISIONS 1. ForTaxation 2. Gratuity 3. Superannuation/Pension 4. AccumulatedLeaveEncashment 5. TradeWarranties/Claims 6. Other(Specify) ProvisionsforexpensesTOTAL(B)TOTAL(A+B)

148

SCHEDULE8-FIXEDASSETS

Asatthe

curren

tyear-end

Totalu

ptoth

eyear-end

Ded

uctio

ns

during

theyear

Add

ition

sdu

ring

theyear

Asatthe

be

gining

of

theyear

Cost/valua

tion

atth

eyear-end

ed

Ded

uctio

ns

during

theyear

Additio

ns

during

the

year

Cost/valuation

asatb

egining

ofth

eyear

A.F

IXEDASS

ETS:

1.LAND

a)Freeh

old

b)Leaseho

ld

2.BUILDIN

GS

a)OnFreeho

ldLan

db)OnLe

aseh

oldLa

ndc)Owne

rshipFlats/Prem

ises

d)Sup

erstructuresonland

notbelon

ging

toth

een

tity

3.PLA

NTM

ACH

INERY&EQUIPMENTS

4.VEHICLE

S5.FURNITURE,FIXTURES

6.OFF

ICEEQUIPMENT

7.COMPU

TER/P

ERIPHERALS

8.ELE

CTRICIN

STALL

ATIONS

9.LIBRARYBOOKS

11.AUDITORUM

TOTA

LOFCURRENTYEA

RPREVIO

USYEA

RB.CAPITALWORK-IN-PROGRESS

NETBLO

CKDEPR

ECIAT

ION

GROSSBLO

CKDES

CRIPTION

-Sd/

-Co

nsultant(F&

EA)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

27,84,30

351

,78,99

974

,30,83

95,41

,05,31

530

,27,96

963

,860

1,76

,72,39

49,02

,63,67

99,35

,01,81

0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

40,97,02

044

,04,22

668

,89,94

85,63

,23,41

725

,79,44

445

,791

1,33

,99,36

48,77

,39,21

09,02

,63,67

9

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

53,65,45

12,39

,81,43

43,62

,83,41

17,24

,51,53

891

,56,38

344

,01,76

786

,91,12

916

,03,31

,113

14,42,17

,526

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 0

10,42,18

7

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

7,79

,729

9,43

,463

31,40,29

564

,97,11

04,48

,525

31,435

42,73,03

01,61

,13,58

71,47

,24,51

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

45,85,72

22,30

,37,97

13,31

,43,11

66,59

,54,42

887

,07,85

843

,70,33

244

,18,09

914

,42,17

,526

13,05,35

,202

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

94,62,47

12,83

,85,66

04,31

,73,35

912

,87,74

,955

1,17

,35,82

744

,47,55

82,20

,90,49

324

,80,70

,323

23,44,81

,205

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 0

11,54,45

8

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,092

,446

168

,690

2,599

,404

8,715

,212

-13,36

6 -1,35

,89,11

81,15

,98,65

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

73,70,02

52,82

,16,97

04,05

,73,95

512

,00,59

,743

1,17

,35,82

744

,34,19

22,20

,90,49

323

,44,81

,205

22,40,37

,012

(Amountin`)

Asatthe

previous

year-end

TOTA

L

149

REVENUE

SCHEDULE9-INVESTMENTSFROMEARMARKED/ENDOWMENTFUNDS

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

REVENUE

SCHEDULE10-INVESTMENTSOTHERS

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-


(Amountin`)

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

1. InGovernmentSecurities

2. OtherapprovedSecurities

3. Shares


5. SubsidiariesandJointVentures

6. Others(tobespecified)

TOTAL



3. Shares




TOTAL

150

REVENUE

SCHEDULE11-CURRENTASSETS,LOANS,ADVANCESETC

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

26,385

3,00,801

1,77,694

15,318

92,00,000

43,65,00,000

-

-

-

44,62,20,199

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

66,822

20,84,12,360

1,78,302

5,46,363

7,93,30,015

-

-

-

28,85,33,862


(Amountin`)

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

A. CURRENTASSETS:

1. Inventories

a) StoresandSpares

b) Losetools

c) Stock-in-trade

FinishedGoods

Workinprogress

RawMaterial

2. SundryDebtors:

a) DebtsOutstandingforaperiodexceedingsixmonths

b) Others

3. Cashbalancesinhand(includingcheques/draftsandimprest)

4. BankBalances:

a) WithScheduledBanks

-OnCurrentAccountsTRAIGeneralfund

-OnCurrentAccountsRegistrationFees

PenaltyfromTelemarketers

-OnSavingsAccountCustomerEducationFees

-OnSavingsAccountFinancialDisincentive

b) Withnon-ScheduledBanks

-OnCurrentAccounts

-OnDepositAccounts

-OnSavings

5. PostOffice-SavingsAccounts

TOTAL(A)

151

Contd......

REVENUE

SCHEDULE11-CURRENTASSETS,LOANS,ADVANCESETC

31,11,912

77,76,372

7,39,122

1,16,27,406

45,78,47,605

30,93,074

84,63,189

8,31,745

1,23,88,008

30,09,21,870


(Amountin`)

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

B. LOANS,ADVANCESANDOTHERASSETS

1. Loans

a) Staff

b) OtherEntitiesengagedinactivities/objectivessimilartothatofEntity

c) Others(TA,LTCandFestivalAdvancestoOfficers&Staff)

2. Advanceandotheramountsrecoverableincashorinkindorfor

valuetobereceived:

a) OnCaptialAccount

b) Prepayments

c) Others

3. IncomeAccrued

a) OnInvestmentsfromEarmarked/EndowmentFunds

b) OnInvestments-Others

c) OnLoansandAdvances

d) Others

(includesincomedueunrealisedRs.)

5. ClaimsReceivable

TOTAL(B)

TOTAL(A+B)

152

1. EntranceFees

2. AnnualFees/Subscriptions

3. Seminar/ProgramFees

4. ConsultancyFees

5. Others(specify)

TOTAL

Note:AccountingPoliciestowardseachitemaretobedisclosed

REVENUE

SCHEDULE12-INCOMEFROMSALES/SERVICES

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

REVENUE

90,00,00,000

90,00,00,000

REVENUE

-

-

-

-

-

CurrentYear2020-21 PreviousYear2019-20


(Amountin`)

(Amountin`)



1) CentralGovernment

2) StateGovernment(s)

3) GovernmentAgencies

4) Institutions/WelfareBodies

5) InternationalOrganisations

6) Other(SwachBharat)

TOTAL

1. IncomefromSales

a) SaleofFinishedGoods

b) SaleofRawmaterial

c) SaleofScraps

2. IncomefromServices

a) LabourandProcessingCharges

b) Professional/ConsultancyServices

c) AgencyCommissionandBrokerage

d) MaintenanceServices(Equipment/Property)

e) Others(Specify)

TOTAL

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

SCHEDULE13-GRANTS/SUBSIDIES

(IrrevocableGrants&SubsidiesReceived)

90,00,00,000

90,00,00,000

SCHEDULE14-FEES/SUBSCRIPTIONS

-

-

-

-

-

153

REVENUE

SCHEDULE15-INCOMEFROMINVESTMENTS

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(IncomeonInvestmentfromEarmarked/

EndowmentFundsTransferredtoFunds)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

REVENUE

SCHEDULE16-INCOMEFROMROYALTY,PUBLICATIONETC

-

-

-

-

(IncomeonInvestmentfromEarmarked/

EndowmentFundsTransferredtoFunds)

-

-

-

-

REVENUE

SCHEDULE17-INTERESTEARNED

-

-

-

-

7,04,564

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

7,04,564

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-


(Amountin`)

(Amountin`)




1) Interest

a) OnGovtSecurities

b) OtherBonds/Debentures

2) Dividends

a) OnShares

b) OnMutualFundSecurities

3) Rents

4) Others(Specify)

TOTAL

TRANSFERREDTOEARMARKED/ENDOWMENTFUNDS

1. IncomefromRoyalty

2. IncomefromPublications

3. Others(specify)

TOTAL

1) OnTermDeposits


b) WithNon-ScheduledBanks

c) WithInstitutions

d) Others

2) OnSavingsAccount



c) WithInstitutions

d) Others

3) OnLoans

a) Employees/Staff

b) Others

4) InterestonDebtorsandOtherReceivables

TOTAL

Note-Taxdeductedatsourcetobeindicated

154

REVENUE

SCHEDULE18-OTHERINCOME

175,507.00

17,981.00

193,488.00

2,68,354.00

6,169.00

10,144.00

2,84,667.00

REVENUE

SCHEDULE19-INCREASE/(DECREASE)INSTOCKOFFINISHEDGOODS&WORKINPROGRESS

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

NON-PLAN

SCHEDULE20-ESTABLISHMENTEXPENSES

35,23,25,335

4,70,913

1,93,28,583

10,52,062

4,22,46,667

1,52,18,236

43,06,41,796

36,25,10,401

4,63,478

1,64,26,839

7,39,635

6,92,19,643

1,12,49,337

46,06,09,333


(Amountin`)




a) SalariesandWages

b) AllowancesandBonus

c) ContributiontoProvidentFund

d) ContributiontoOtherFund(specify)

e) StaffWelfareExpenses

f) ExpensesonEmployeesRetirementandTerminalBenefits

g) Others(LTC,MedicaltoOfficers&StaffandOTAtoStaff)

TOTAL

1. ProfitonSale/disposalofAssets

a)Ownedassets

b)Assetsacquiredoutofgrants,orreceivedfreeofcost

2. ExportIncentivesrealized

3. FeesforMiscellaneousServices

4. MiscellaneousIncome

5. RegistrationFeesfromTelemarketers

6. CustomerEducationFeesfromTelemarketers

7. PenaltyfromTelemarketers

8. FinancialDisincentive

TOTAL

a) Closingstock

-FinishedGoods

-Work-in-progess

b) LessOpeningStock

-FinishedGoods

-Work-in-progess

NETINCREASE/(DECREASE)[a-b]

155

REVENUE

SCHEDULE21-OTHERADMINISTRATIVEEXPENSESETC

19,75,235

1,95,686

1,06,68,605

30,01,02,796

14,74,332

1,16,51,249

17,83,148

2,22,98,087

1,30,333

57,15,398

-528,240

1,90,000

4,90,794

4,22,04,312

2,63,19,680

25,35,500

3,75,61,087

46,47,68,002

29,33,360

1,77,864

1,74,87,809

28,77,12,415

19,48,180

68,41,990

42,26,092

5,06,66,397

62,77,076

56,72,528

-5,68,38,592

1,90,000

11,67,139

4,08,80,848

3,65,33,080

47,14,834

3,30,38,697

44,36,29,717


(Amountin`)


a) Purchases

b) Labourandprocessingexpenses

c) CartageandCarriageInwards

d) Electricityandpower

e) Watercharges

f) Insuranceandbankcharges

g) Repairsandmaintenance

h) ExciseDuty

i) Rent,RatesandTaxes

j) VehiclesRunningandMaintenance

k) Postage,TelephoneandCommunicationCharges

l) PrintingandStationery

m) TravellingandConveyanceExpenses

n) ExpensesonSeminar/Workshops

o) SubscriptionExpenses

p) Priorperiodexpenses

q) AuditorsRemuneration

r) HospitalityExpenses

s) ProfessionalCharges

t) Consultationandtraining

u) SwachBharatexpenses

v) lossonsaleofassets

w) FreightandForwardingExpenses

x) Softwaredevelopexpenses

y) AdvertisementandPublicity

z) Others

(i) Others(PaymenttoSecurity,Housekeepingetc.)

TOTAL

156

REVENUE

a)GrantsgiventoInstitutions/Organisations

b)SubsidiesgiventoInstitutions/Organisations

TOTAL

Note:NameofEntities,theirActivitiesalongwiththeamountofGrants/Subsidiesaretobedisclosed

SCHEDULE22-EXPENDITUREONGRANTS,SUBSIDIESETC(Amountin`)

-

-

-

-

REVENUE

a)OnFixedLoans

b)OnOtherLoans(includingBankCharges)

c)Others(specify)

TOTAL

SCHEDULE23-INTEREST

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-




157

FORMOFFIN

ANCIA


NS)TELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIA

st

RECEIPTSANDPAYMENTSFORTHEPERIO

D/YEARENDED31

March2021

REVENUE

I.O

peningBalance

a)Cashinhand

i)Incurrentaccounts

ii)Indepositaccounts

iii)Savingsaccountspenalty

registrationfees

customereducationfees

Financialdisincentive

II.G

rantsReceived

a)FromG

overnmentofIndia

b)FromStateGovernment

c)Fromothersources(details

shownseparately)

III.IncomeonInvestm

entsfro

ma)Earm

arked/EndowmentFunds

b)OwnFunds(O

therInvestment)

IV.InterestReceived

a)OnBankDeposit

b)Loans,Advancesetc.

c)M

iscellaneous

VOtherIncome(Specify)

ToM

iscellaneousIncome

VIA

mountBorrowed

VII.A

nyotherreceipts(givedetails)

ToSecurityDeposits

otheradvances

ToSaleofAssets

Toregistrationfees

Tocustomereducationfees

Topenaltyfromtelemarketers

Tofinancialdisincentive

TOTAL

PAYMENTS

REVENUE

RECEIPTS

IExpenses

a)EstablishmentExpenses(correspondingtoSchedule20)

b)Administrativeexpenses(correspondingtoSchedule21)

IIPaymentsm

adeagainstfundsforvariouspro

jects

(Namethefundorprojectshouldbeshownalongwith

theparticularsofpaymentsm

adeforeachproject)

Paymentsm

adeforSwachBharat

III.Investm

entsanddepositsm

ade

a)OutofEarm

arked/Endowmentfunds

b)OutofOwnFunds(investments-Others)

IV.ExpenditureonFixedAssets&CapitalWork-in-pro

gress

a)PurchaseofFixedAssets

b)ExpenditureonCapitalWork-in-progress

V.Refundofsurplusm

oney/Loans

a)TotheGovernmentofIndia

b)TotheStateGovernment

c)ToD

oTforTelemarketerRegistrationfees

ToDoTforCustomereducationfees

ToDoTforPenaltyfromTelemarketeres

ToDoTforFinancialDisincentive

VI.FinanceCharges(Interest)

VII.OtherPayments(Specify)

Loansandadvancesandsecuritydeposits

VIII.ClosingBalances

a)Cashinhand

b)BankBalances

1)IncurrentaccountsTRAIGeneralfund

i)IncurrentaccountsR

egistrationfees


2)Savingsaccounts

i)customereducationfees

ii)penaltyfromtelemarketers

iii)financialdisincentive

66,822

20,84,12,360

5,46,363

1,78,302

7,93,30,015

90,00,00,000

113,00,00,000

7,04,564

7,21,728

7,60,602

1,39,382

5,108

15,631

92,00,000

233,00,80,877

51,388

28,45,83,956

10,85,281

53,15,405

6,33,07,463

90,00,00,000

16,313

43,30,506

3,80,624

1,78,302

5,46,363

7,93,30,015

133,91,25,616

41,30,18,567

47,12,79,323

90,38,01,480

22,61,98,520

21,03,01,480

1,35,89,118

5,108

5,46,363

7,93,30,015

22,90,705

26,385

3,00,801

1,77,694

15,318

92,00,000

233,00,80,877

44,19,80,936

52,64,72,712

1,15,98,651

53,15,405

10,85,281

6,33,07,463

8,31,306

66,822

20,84,12,360

1,78,302

5,46,363

7,93,30,015

133,91,25,616

CurrentYear

2020-21

PreviousYear

2019-20

CurrentYear

2020-21

PreviousYear

2019-20

158

SCHEDULE24-SIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES


1 AccountingConventions:

(a) Thefinancialstatementshavebeenpreparedinthe“UniformFormofAccounts”asapproved

bytheControllerGeneralofAccountsvidetheirletterNo.F.No.19(1)/Misc./2005/TA/450-rd490dated23 July2007forRevenueHead.

(b)Accountshavebeenpreparedonaccrualbasisforthecurrentyeari.e.,2020-21.Thereisno

changeinMethodofAccountingfromtheprecedingyear.

(c)Provisions for all theundisputedandknown liabilitieshavebeenmade in theBooksof

Accounts.

(d)Figureshavebeenroundedofftothenearestrupee.

(e) Contingentliabilitiesaredisclosedaftercarefulevaluationoffactsandlegalaspectsofthe

matterinvolved.

2 FixedAssets:

FixedAssetsarestatedatcostofacquisitioninclusiveofinwardfreight,dutiesandtaxesand

incidentalanddirectexpensesrelatedtoacquisition.

3 Depreciation:

(a) DepreciationonFixedAssetsisprovidedonStraightLineMethodattheratesspecifiedin

Part"C"ofScheduleIIoftheCompaniesAct,2013exceptforthecategoriesmentionedbelow

onwhichhigherratesofdepreciationhavebeenapplied:

Category Minimumprescribed Depreciationrateapplied

depreciationrateasper

CompaniesAct,1956

OfficeEquipments 19.00% 19.00%*

FurnituresandFixtures 9.50% 10.00%

ElectricalAppliances 9.50% 10.00%

Airconditioners 9.50% 10.00%

BooksandPublications 6.33% 20.00%

* OfficeEquipmentsincludesMobileHandsetsprovidedtotheofficersforofficialpurposes.Itth

hasbeendecidedbytheCompetentAuthorityvideOrderNo.2-1/97-LANdated04 May2007to

provide/write off these handsets in three years on the same pattern as DoT. Accordingly

depreciation on Mobile Handsets from the year 2007-08 onwards have been charged off

@33.33%.

(b) InrespectofadditionstoFixedAssetsduringtheyear,depreciationisconsideredonPro-rata

basis.

(c)Assetscosting 5,000/-orless,eacharefullyprovided.

4 ForeignCurrencyTransactions:

Transactionsdenominatedinforeigncurrenciesarerecordedattheexchangerateprevailingat

thetimeoftransaction.

159

5 RetirementBenefits:

(a) ProvisionforLeaveSalaryandPensionContributionupto31.03.21inthecaseofemployees

ondeputationshavebeenprovided in theBooksofAccountsat the ratesprescribedby

GovernmentofIndiaunderFundamentalRulesfromtimetotime.

(b) InthecaseofRegularemployees,ProvisionforLeaveEncashmentandGratuityfortheyear

2020-21havebeenmadeonthebasisofreportfurnishedbytheactuary.

6 Govt.Grant:

(a) Govt.grantsareaccounted foronthebasisofgrantsreceivedduringtheyear from the

Government.

(b)ThemoneyreceivedonaccountofRegistrationFee,CustomerEducationFee,Penalityon

TelemarketersandFinancialDisincentivehasbeenaccountedforoncashbasis.

SCHEDULE25-CONTINGENTLIABILITIESANDNOTESONACCOUNTS

1 ContingentLiabilities:

ClaimsagainsttheEntitynotacknowledgedasdebtsCurrentYear(Nil)(PreviousyearNil)

2 CurrentAssets,LoansandAdvances:

In the opinion of theManagement, the current assets, loans and advances have a value on

realizationintheordinarycourseofbusiness,equalatleasttotheaggregateamountshownin

theBalanceSheet.

3 Taxation:

Asperclause32oftheTRAIAct,1997,TRAIisexemptfromtaxonWealthandIncome.

4 Grants:

Duringthefinancialyear2020-21,asumof`90.00croreshavebeenreceivedasGovernment

GrantfromDoTformeetingthedaytodayexpensesinTRAI.

5 EarmarkedGrant:

Fromtimetotime,TRAIwasrequestingtheMinistryofCommunicationforallotingoffundsforthOfficespace.On26 November,2020. DoTvideletterno15-11/2012-Restgconveyed TRAI

regardingthe administrativeapprovaloftheCompetentauthorityforanareaof1,15,188/sq.

feetforOfficespace.Thereaftervideletterno1-15/2021-B/313DoTconveyedthesanctionfor

`113croreforallotmentofBuildingfunds.ThesaidmoneywasreceivedinthemonthofFebuary

2021andasumof 90,38,01,480.00waspaidtoNBCCforconstructionofofficespaceforTRAI.

Thesaidbuildingfundanditsutilizationhasbeendisclosedinschedule3oftheBalancesheet.

6 Previousyearfigures:

Corresponding figures for the previous year have been regrouped/arranged wherever

necessary. The expenditure/income relating to the previous year i.e prior period

expenditure/incomehavebeenroutedthroughcapitalfund.

160

-Sd/-

Pr.Advisor(F&EA)

-Sd/-

Secretary

-Sd/-

Member

-Sd/-

Chairperson

7 TransactionsinForeignCurrencies:

ExpenditureinForeignCurrency: NIL

(a) Travel: Nil

Asumof 54,35,575.00waspaidforparticipation

feesforforeigninstitutions

(b)RemittancesandInterestpaymenttoFinancialInstitution,BanksinForeignCurrencyNil

(c)OtherExpenditure: Nil

st8 Schedules1to25areannexedtoandformanintegralpartoftheBalanceSheetasat31 March,

2021andtheIncomeandExpenditureAccountfortheyearendedonthatdate.

161

AUDITEDCONTRIBUTORYPROVIDENTFUNDACCOUNTSOFTRAIFORTHEYEAR2020-21

C)

S eparateAuditReportontheAnnualAccountsofTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia-st

ContributoryProvidentFundAccountfortheyearended31 March,2021.

1. INTRODUCTION

We have audited the attached Balance Sheet of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India-stContributoryProvidentFundAccountason31 March,2021andtheIncomeandExpenditure

Account/ReceiptsandPaymentsAccountfortheyearendedonthatdateunderSection19(2)of

theComptroller&AuditorGeneral’s(Duties,Powers&ConditionsofService)Act,1971readwith

Rule5(5)of theTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityof India(ContributoryProvidentFund)Rules,

2003,issuedunderGovernmentofIndia,ExtraordinaryGazetteNotificationNo.GSR333(E)datedth10 April, 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Telecom Regulatory

AuthorityofIndia-ContributoryProvidentFundAccount’sManagement.Ourresponsibilityisto

expressanopiniononthesefinancialstatementsbasedonouraudit.

2. ThisSeparateAuditReportcontainsthecommentsoftheComptroller&AuditorGeneralofIndia

(CAG)ontheaccountingtreatmentonlywithregardtoclassification,conformitywiththebest

accounting practices, accounting standards and disclosure norms, etc. Audit observations on

financialtransactionswithregardtocompliancewiththeLaw,Rules&Regulations(Proprietyand

Regularity)andefficiency-cumperformanceaspects,etc,ifany,arereportedthroughInspection

Reports/CAG’sAuditReportsseparately.

3. WehaveconductedourauditinaccordancewithauditingstandardsgenerallyacceptedinIndia.

Thesestandardsrequirethatweplanandperformtheaudittoobtainreasonableassurancethat

thefinancialstatementsarefreefrommaterialmisstatements.Anauditincludesexamining,ona

testbasis,evidencesupportingtheamountsanddisclosureinthefinancialstatements.Anaudit

also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by

management,aswellasevaluatingtheoverallpresentationoffinancialstatements.Webelieve

thatourauditprovidesareasonablebasisforouropinion.

4. Basedonouraudit,wereportthat:

i. Wehaveobtainedalltheinformationandexplanations,whichtothebestofourknowledge

andbeliefwerenecessaryforthepurposeofaudit;

ii. TheBalanceSheetandtheIncomeandExpenditureAccount/ReceiptsandPaymentsAccount

dealtwithbythisreporthavebeendrawnupinthe‘UniformformatofAccounts’approvedby

theControllerGeneralofAccountsunderRule5oftheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia

(ContributoryProvidentFund)Rules,2003.

iii. Inouropinion,properbooksofaccountsandotherrelevantrecordshavebeenmaintainedby

theTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia–ContributoryProvidentFundAccount.

162

-Sd/-

(ManishKumar)



iv. We report that theBalance Sheet and the Income andExpenditureAccount/Receipt and

PaymentsAccountdealtwithbythisReportareinagreementwiththebooksofaccounts.

v. Inouropinionandtothebestofourinformationandaccordingtotheexplanationsgiventous,

the said financial statements, read together with the Accounting Policies and Notes on

Accounts,andsubjecttothesignificantmattersstatedaboveandothermattersmentionedin

Annexure-ItothisAuditReport,giveatrueandfairviewinconformitywiththeaccounting

principlesacceptedinIndia:

a. InsofarasitrelatestotheBalanceSheetofthestateofaffairsoftheTelecomRegulatorystAuthorityofIndia-ContributoryProvidentFundAccountason31 March,2021;and

b. InsofarasitrelatestotheIncomeandExpenditureAccountofthe‘ExcessofIncomeover

Expenditure’fortheyearendedonthatdate.

163

Annexure-ItoSeparateAuditReport

TelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia-ContributoryProvidentFundAccountfortheyearstended31 March,2021

Aspertheinformationandexplanationsgiventous,thebooksandrecordsexaminedbyusin

normalcourseofauditandtothebestofourknowledgeandbelief,wefurtherreportthat:

(1) AdequacyofInternalAuditSystem

The Internal Audit Report of TRAI-CPF accounts are available upto February, 2021 and got

approvedbySecretary,TRAI.TheinternalAuditofTRAI-CPFAccountswereconductedonlinefor

March,2021.TheInternalAuditSystemoftheorganizationisadequateandcommensuratewith

itssizeandnatureofitsfunction.

(2) AdequacyofInternalControlSystem

TheInternalControlSystemoftheorganizationisadequateandcommensuratewithitssizeand

thenatureofitsfunctions.

-Sd/-

(ManishKumar)



164

BriefnoteontheInternalControlSysteminTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia-

ContributoryProvidentFundAccount2020-21

AnevaluationoftheInternalControlSystemexistinginTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia

(TRAI)-CPFAccountwasdoneduringthecourseofcertificationoftheannualaccountsofTRAIfor

theyear2020-21andthereportonthesameisfurnishedbelow:

1. Introduction

TheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia-ContributoryProvidentFund(TRAI-CPF)Accountthwasestablishedwitheffectfrom5 May,2003inpursuanceofRule3(1)oftheTelecomRegulatory

AuthorityofIndia(ContributoryProvidentFund)Rules,2003,issuedunderGovernmentofIndia,

Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. GSR 333(E) dated 10 April 2003. TRAI has a total

sanctionedstrengthof237and180meninposition.Outofthis,48areondeputationand113are

onregularstrengthason31.03.2021.ThedeductionsfromsalaryonaccountofGPF/EPF/CPF(as

thecasemaybe)aremadefromtheemployeesondeputationandareremittedtotheirparent

officesaspertermsandconditionsoftheirappointment.InthecaseofregularstaffofTRAI,CPF

deductionsaremadefromtheirsalaryaspertheCPFRulesandemployees’aswellasemployer’s

contributionsareremittedtoTRAI-CPFAccount,byTRAIonamonthtomonthbasisalongwiththe

detailsofdeductionofeachemployee.

2. OrganizationalSetup

TRAI-CPFAccounthasnoseparateemployeesonitsown.TheentireworkofmaintenanceofTRAI-

CPFAccountisdonebytheBoardofTrustees,whichisconstitutedfromtheemployeesofTRAI

only.AsperdecisiontakenbytheTRAIAuthority,theDy.Advisor(F&EA)istheSecretarytothe

BoardofTrustees.ThefollowingarethetrusteesoftheBoard:

(i) Advisor(Administration) : President(Ex-officio)TRAICPFTrust

(ii) JointAdvisor(HR) : Trustee(Ex-officio)

(iii) DyAdvisor(NSL-II) : Trustee

(iv) Assistant(QoS) : Trustee

(v) Dy.Advisor(F&EA) : Secretary,CPF

TheSecretarytotheBoardofTrusteesisresponsibleformaintenanceofAccountsoftheTRAI-CPF

Account and conducting themeetings of theBoard of Trustees. All decisions of theBoard of

Trusteesaretakenintheirperiodicalmeetings.

3. ScopeandindependenceofInternalAudit

TRAIhasitsownInternalAuditdivisionheadedbyTechnicalOfficer(IAU).ThereportsofInternal

Audit, includingCPF-Accounts,aresubmitted to theSecretary forapprovalandare thereafter

forwardedtotherespectivedivisionsfornecessarycorrectivemeasures.Theactionstakenbythe

divisionsaremonitoredcontinuouslyandregularly.

165

4. ReceiptsandDisbursementofFunds

TheworkrelatingtoreceiptanddisbursementofthefundsisdonebyaSectionOfficerunderthe

supervisionofSecretarytotheBoardofTrustees.NocashtransactionisdoneinTRAI-CPFAccount

asallreceiptsandpaymentsaremadethroughchequesonly.ReceiptofCPFdeductionsfromTRAI

andpaymentsmadetothemembersofTRAI-CPFAccount,ifany,onaccountofCPFwithdrawalor

advanceareregularlyrecordedinbankbook.

5. Investments

ThefundsofTRAI-CPFAccountareinvestedinvariousSecuritiesasperGovernmentnorms.The

interestsaccrued/receivedonthesesecuritiesarecreditedininterestincome.Thedecisionsof

makinginvestmentsaretakenintheperiodicalmeetingsofBoardofTrustees.

6. Interest

InterestontheCPFdepositsofthemembersiscreditedtotheirindividualaccountsattherate

specifiedbytheCentralGovernmentfromtimetotimeforthepaymentofinterestonsubscriptions

totheGeneralProvidentFund.Deficit,ifany,intheinterestpayabletothemembersismetfrom

TRAIGeneralFund.

7. Withdrawal/AdvanceofCPF

ThemembersofTRAI-CPFAccountareentitledforwithdrawalorfortemporaryadvanceoutof

theirbalanceaspertheguidelinesofCPFRules.Inthecaseofadvancesgiventothemembers,the

DrawingandDisbursementOfficerofTRAIisinformedregardingthemonthlydeductionstobe

madefromsalaryoftheconcernedmemberstowardsrecoveryofadvances.

-Sd/-

(ManishKumar)



166

FORMOFFIN

ANCIA


NS)

THETELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIA

-CONTRIB

UTORYPROVID

ENTFUNDACCOUNT

st

INCOMEANDEXPENDITUREACCOUNTFORTHEPERIO

D/YEARENDED31

March,2

021

Curren

tYe

ar2020-21

Previou

sYe

ar2019-20

IncomefromSales/Services

Grants/Subsidies

Fee/Subscriptions

IncomefromInvestments(IncomeonInvestfromearm

arked/endow.

FundstransferredtoFunds)

IncomeforRoyalty,Publicationetc

InterestEarned

OtherIncome

Increase(decrease)instockofFinishedgoodsandworks-in-progress

TOTAL(A)

EXPENDITURE

EstablishmentExpenses

OtherAdministrativeExpensesetc

ExpenditureonGrants,Subsidiesetc

Interest

Dim

inutionValueofInvestmentsinM

utualFunds

Depreciation(NetTotalattheyearend-correspondingtoSchedule8)

TOTAL(B)

BalancebeingexcessofIncomeoverExpenditure(A-B)

TransfertoM

iscExpendituretotheextentnotwrittenoff-onaccountof

Dim

inutionValueofInvestments

Transferto/fromGeneralReserve

BalancebeingSurplus/(Deficit)carriedtoCorpus/CapitalFund


GPOLICIES

CONTIN

GENTLABILITIESANDNOTESONACCOUNTS

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Schedule

12,290,199.14

8,060,553.00

188,763.00

20,539,515.14

77,864.90

18,526,682.00

18,604,546.90

1,934,968.24

1,934,968.24

10,418,150.64

7,787,673.00

18,205,823.64

767,705.72

18,140,190.00

18,907,895.72

-702,072.08

-702,072.08

(Amountin`)

Inco

me Sd/-

MeetuGulati

Dy.Advisor(F&EA)

Secretary(CPF)

Sd/-

ReshmaS.U

smani

Asstt.(QoS)

Trustee

Sd/-

S.K.D

utta

Jt.A

dvisor(H

R)

Ex-OfficioTrustee

Sd/-

SanjeevKumarSharm

aAdvisor(Admin)

Ex-OfficioPresident

Sd/-

SoniaM

adan

Dy.Advisor(N

SL-II)

Trustee

167

FORMOFFIN

ANCIA


NS)


-CONTRIB

UTORYPROVID

ENTFUNDACCOUNT

stBALANCESHEETASAT31

March,2

021

TRAI-CPFM

EMBERS'ACCOUNT

RESE

RVESANDSURPLUS

EARMARKED/ENDOWMENTFUNDS

SECUREDLOANSANDBORROWIN

GS

UNSE

CUREDLOANSANDBORROWIN

GS

DEFERREDCREDITLIABILITIES

CURRENTLIABILITIESANDPROVISIONS

TOTAL

ASSETS

FIXEDASSETS

INVEST

MENTS-FROMEARMARKED/E

NDOWMENTFUNDS

INVEST

MENTS-OTHERS

CURRENTASSETS,LOANS,ADVANCESETC

MISCELLANEOUSEXPENDITURE

(totheextentnotwritten

offorad

justed

)TOTAL


GPOLICIES

CONTIN

GENTLIABILITIESANDNOTESONACCOUNTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11

24

25

292,965,139.00

6,388,213.50

440,226.00

299,793,578.50

280,600,000.00

19,193,578.50

299,793,578.50

Sch

edule

CORPUS/CAPITALFUNDANDLIA

BILITIES

260,833,399.00

4,453,245.26

4,871,152.00

270,157,796.26

250,202,274.00

19,955,522.26

270,157,796.26

(Amountin`)

Curren

tYea

r20

20-21

Previou

sYe

ar201

9-20

Sd/-

MeetuGulati

Dy.Advisor(F&EA)

Secretary(CPF)

Sd/-

ReshmaS.U

smani

Asstt.(QoS)

Trustee

Sd/-

S.K.D

utta

Jt.A

dvisor(H

R)

Ex-OfficioTrustee

Sd/-

SanjeevKumarSharm

aAdvisor(Admin)

Ex-OfficioPresident

Sd/-

SoniaM

adan

Dy.Advisor(N

SL-II)

Trustee

168

FORMOFFINANCIALSTATEMENTS(NON-PROFITORGANISATIONS)THETELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIA-CONTRIBUTORYPROVIDENT

stFUNDACCOUNTSCHEDULESFORMINGPARTOFBALANCESHEETASON31 MARCH,2021

260,833,399.00

32,131,740.00

292,965,139.00

(Amountin`)

Balanceasatthebeginningoftheyear

Deduct:Adjustmentsforpreviousyear

Add:ContributionstowardsMembers'Account

Add/(Deduct):Balanceofnetincome/(expenditure)

transferredfromthe

IncomeandExpenditureAccount

BALANCEASATTHEYEAR-END

218,732,073.00

42,101,326.00

260,833,399.00

SCHEDULE1-TRAI-CPFMEMBERS'ACCOUNT

SCHEDULE2-RESERVESANDSURPLUS

4,453,245.26

1,934,968.24

6,388,213.50

5,155,317.34

-702,072.08

4,453,245.26

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

1. CapitalReserve:

AsperlastAccount



2. RevaluationReserve:

AsperlastAccount



3. SpecialReserve:

AsperlastAccount



4. GeneralReserve:

AsperlastAccount



TOTAL

169

FORMOFFINANCIALSTATEMENTS(NON-PROFITORGANISATIONS)THETELECOMREGULATORYAUTHORITYOFINDIA-CONTRIBUTORYPROVIDENTFUNDACCOUNT

stSCHEDULESFORMINGPARTOFBALANCESHEETASON31 MARCH,2021

SCHEDULE3-EARMARKED/ENDOWMENTFUNDS(Amountin`)

Notes

1)Disclosuresshallbemadeunderrelevantheadbasedonconditionsattachedtothegrants.

2)PlanfundsreceivedfromtheCentral/StateGovernmentsaretobeshownasseparate

fundsandnottobemixedupwithanyotherFunds.

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

a) Openingbalanceofthefunds

b) Additionsofthefunds:

i. Donations/grants

ii. Incomefrominvestmentsmadeonaccountoffunds

iii. Otheradditions(specifynature)

c) Utilisation/exependituretowardsobjectivesoffunds

i. CapitalExpenditure

-FixedAssets

-Others

Total

ii. RevenueExpenditure

-Salaries,Wagesandallowancesetc

-Rent

-OtherAdministrativeexpenses

NETBALANCEASATTHEYEAR-END(a+b+c)

170

TOTAL



SCHEDULE4-SECUREDLOANSANDBORROWINGS(Amountin`)

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20




4. Banks

a) TermLoans






7. Others(Specify)

171



SCHEDULE5-UNSECUREDLOANSANDBORROWINGS(Amountin`)

a)Acceptancessecuredbyhypothecationofcapital

equipmentandotherassets

b)Others

TOTAL

Note:Amountsduewithinoneyear

SCHEDULE6-DEFERREDCREDITLIABILITIES(Amountin`)

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20




4. Banks

a) TermLoans


b) Other-Loans(Specify




7. Others(Specify)

TOTAL

Note:Amountduewithinoneyear

172



SCHEDULE7-CURRENTLIABILITIESANDPROVISIONS(Amountin`)

306,919.00

133,307.00

440,226.00

440,226.00

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

4,838,382.00

32,770.00

4,871,152.00

4,871,152.00

A. CURRENTLIABILITIES

1) Acceptances

2) SundryCreditors

a) ForGoods

b) Others

3) AdvancesReceived

4) Interestaccruedbutnotdueon:

a) Securedloans/borrowings

b) UnsecuredLoans/borrowings

5) StatutoryLiabilities

a) Overdue

b) Others

6) OthercurrentLiabilities

TOTAL(A)

B. PROVISIONS

1. For

2. Gratuity

3. Superannuation/Pension

4. AccumulatedLeaveEncashment

5. TradeWarranties/Claims

6. Other(PayabletoMEA/TRAI)

TOTAL(B)

TOTAL(A+B)

173

FORMOFFIN

ANCIA


NS)


-CONTRIB

UTORYPROVID

ENTFUNDACCOUNT

stSCHEDULESFORMIN

GPARTOFBALANCESHEETASON31

MARCH,2

021

SCHEDULE8-FIXEDASSETS

"Cost/v

aluationas

atbeg

innning

oftheye

ar"

Additions

duringthe

year

Ded

uctions

duringthe

year

Cost/

valuation

attheye

aren

ded

Asatthe

beg

inning

ofthe

year

On

Additions

duringthe

year

On

Ded

uction

duringthe

year

Totalu

ptothe

year

end

Asatthe

curren

tye

aren

d

SCHEDULE

GROSS

BLO

CK

DESC

RIPTIO

NNETBLO

CK

A.

FIXEDASSETS:

1.

LAND

a)Freeh

old

b)

Leasehold

2.

BUILDIN

GS

a)OnFreeh

oldLan

d

b)

OnLeaseholdLan

d

c)OwnershipFlats/P

remises

d)

Superstructuresonland

notbelongingtotheen

tity

3.

PLANTM

ACHIN

ERY&EQUIPMENT

4.

VEHICLES

5.

FURNITURE,FIXTURES

6.

OFFICEEQUIPMENT

7.

COMPUTER/P

ERIPHERALS

8.

ELECTRICINSTALLATIONS

9.

LIBRARYBOOKS

10.TUBEWELLS&W

ATERSUPPLY

11.OTHERFIXEDASSETS

TOTALOFCURRENTYEAR

PREVIO

USYEAR

B.

CAPITALW

ORK-IN-PROGRESS

TOTAL

(Notetobegivenastocostofassetsonhirepurchasebasisin

cluded

above)

Asatthe

previous

year

end

174



SCHEDULE9-INVESTMENTSFROMEARMARKED/ENDOWMENTFUNDS(Amountin`)

SCHEDULE10-INVESTMENTSOTHERS(Amountin`)

186,500,000.00

94,100,000.00

280,600,000.00

131,000,000.00

119,202,274.00

250,202,274.00

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20



3. Shares




TOTAL


-Long-termInvestments

-CurrentInvestments

2. OtherApprovedSecurities

3. Shares



6. Others(FixedDepositsinBanks/PSU)-Long-term

TOTAL

175



SCHEDULE11-CURRENTASSETS,LOANS,ADVANCESETC(Amountin`)

-

5,014,663.09

5,014,663.09

-

9,874,490.93

9,874,490.93

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

A. CURRENTASSETS:

1. Inventories

a) StoresandSpares

b) Losetools

c) Stock-in-trade

FinishedGoods

Workinprogress

RawMaterial

2. SundryDebtors:

a) DebtsOutstandingforaperiodexceedingsixmonths

b) Others

3. Cashbalancesinhand(includingcheques/draftsandimprest)

4. BankBalances:


-OnCurrentAccounts

-OnDepositAccounts(includesmarginmoney)

-OnSavingsAccount

b) Withnon-ScheduledBanks

-OnCurrentAccounts

-OnDepositAccounts

-OnSavingsAccount

5. PostOffice-SavingsAccounts

TOTAL(A)

176

Contd......



SCHEDULE11-CURRENTASSETS,LOANS,ADVANCESETC(Amountin`)

14,178,915.41

14,178,915.41

19,193,578.50

10,081,031.33

10,081,031.33

19,955,522.26

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

B. LOANS,ADVANCESANDOTHERASSETS

1. Loans

a) Staff

b) OtherEntitiesengagedinactivities/objectivessimilartothatofEntity

c) Other(Specify)

2. Advanceandotheramountsrecoverableincashorinkindorfor

valuetobereceived:

a) OnCapitalAccount

b) Prepayments

c) Others

3. IncomeAccrued

a) OnInvestmentsfromEarmarked/EndowmentFunds

b) OnInvestments-Others

c) OnLoansandAdvances

d) Others

(includesincomedueunrealisedRs.)

4. ClaimsReceivable-

TOTAL(B)

TOTAL(A+B)

177


stSCHEDULESFORMINGPARTOFINCOME&EXPENDITUREFORTHEPERIOD/YEARENDED31 MARCH,2021

SCHEDULE12-INCOMEFROMSALES/SERVICES(Amountin`)

SCHEDULE13-GRANTS/SUBSIDIES

(Amountin`)

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

1. IncomefromSales

a) SaleofFinishedGoods

b) SaleofRawmaterial

c) SaleofScraps

2. IncomefromServices

a) LabourandProcessingCharges

b) Professional/ConsultancyServices

c) AgencyCommissionandBrokerage

d) MaintenanceServices(Equipment/Property)

e) Others(Specify)

TOTAL

(IrrevocableGrants&SubsidiesReceived)

1) CentralGovernment

2) StateGovenemnt(s)

3) GovernmentAgencies

4) Institutions/WelfareBodies

5) InternationalOrganisations

6) Other(Specify)

TOTAL

178



SCHEDULE14-FEES/SUBSCRIPTIONS

(Amountin`)

SCHEDULE15-INCOMEFROMINVESTMENTS

(Amountin`)

(IncomeonInvest.fromEarmarked/EndowmentFundsTransferredtoFunds)

12,290,199.14

12,290,199.14

10,418,150.64

10,418,150.64

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

1. EntranceFees

2. AnnualFees/Subscriptions

3. Seminar/ProgramFees

4. ConsultancyFees

5. Others(specify)

TOTAL

Note:AccountingPoliciestowardseachitemaretobedisclosed

1) Interest

a) OnGovtSecurities

b) OtherBonds/Debentures

2) Dividends

a) OnShares

b) OnMutualFundSecurities

3) Rents

4) Others

TOTAL

TRANSFERREDTOEARMARKED/ENDOWMENTFUNDS

179



SCHEDULE16-INCOMEFROMROYALTY,PUBLICATIONETC(Amountin`)

SCHEDULE17-INTERESTEARNED (Amountin`)

7,883,605.00

176,948.00

8,060,553.00

7,593,493.00

194,180.00

7,787,673.00

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

1. IncomefromRoyalty

2. IncomefromPublications

3. Others(Specify)

TOTAL

1) OnTermDeposits



c) WithInstitutions

d) Others

2) OnSavingsAccount



c) WithInstitutions

d) Others

3) OnLoans

a) Employees/Staff

b) Others

4) InterestonDebtorsandOtherReceivables

TOTAL

180



SCHEDULE18-OTHERINCOME(Amountin`)

SCHEDULE19-INCREASE/(DECREASE)INSTOCKOFFINISHEDGOODS&WORKINPROGRESS

SCHEDULE20-ESTABLISHMENTEXPENSES

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

188,763.00

188,763.00

1. ProfitonSale/DisposalofAssets

a) Ownedassets

b) Assetsacquiredoutofgrants,orreceivedfreeofcost

2. ExportIncentivesrealized

3. FeesforMiscellaneousServices

4. MiscellaneousIncome

TOTAL

a) Closingstock

-FinishedGoods

-Work-in-progess

b) LessOpeningStock

-FinishedGoods

-Work-in-progess

NETINCREASE/(DECREASE)[a-b]

a) SalariesandWages

b) AllowancesandBonus

c) ContributiontoProvidentFund

d) ContributiontoOtherFund(specify)

e) StaffWelfareExpenses

f) ExpensesonEmployeesRetirementandTerminalBenefits

g) Others

TOTAL

181



SCHEDULE21-OTHERADMINISTRATIVEEXPENSESETC(Amountin`)

767,705.72

767,705.72

77,864.90

77,864.90

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

a) Purchases

b) Labourandprocessingexpenses

c) CartageandCarriageInwards

d) Electricityandpower

e) Watercharges

f) Insurance

g) Repairsandmaintenance

h) ExciseDuty

I) Rent,RatesandTaxes

j) VehiclesRunningandMaintenance

k) Postage,TelephoneandCommunicationCharges

l) PrintingandStationery

m) TravellingandConveyanceExpenses

n) ExpensesonSeminar/Workshops

o) SubscriptionExpenses

p) ExpensesonFees

q) AuditorsRemuneration

r) HospitalityExpenses

s) ProfessionalCharges

t) ProvisionforBadandDoubtfulDebts/Advances

u) IrrecoverableBalancesWritten-off

v) PackingCharges

w) FreightandForwardingExpenses

x) DistributionExpenses

y) AdvertisementandPublicity

z) Others

DLIS

Bank&FinanceCharges

TOTAL

182

a)GrantsgiventoInstitutions/Organisations

b)SubsidiesgiventoInstitutions/Organisations

TOTAL

Note:NameofEntities,theirActivitiesalongwiththeamountofGrants/Subsidiesaretobedisclosed



SCHEDULE22-EXPENDITUREONGRANTS,SUBSIDIESETC(Amountin`)

a)OnFixedLoans

b)OnOtherLoans(includingBankCharges)

a)Others(specify)-InterestPayabletoMembers

FINANCECHARGES

TOTAL

SCHEDULE23-INTEREST

(Amountin`)

18,526,682.00

18,526,682.00

18,140,190.00

18,140,190.00

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

CurrentYear2020-21

PreviousYear2019-20

183

1 AccountingConventions:

i) The financial statements have been prepared in the “Uniform Format of Accounts” as

approved by the Contro l l er Genera l o f Accounts v ide the i r l e t ter No .

F.No.19(1)/Misc./2005/TA/450-490dated23.07.2007.

ii) Accountshavebeenpreparedonaccrualbasisforthecurrentyeari.e.,2020-21.Thereisno

changeinMethodofAccountingfromtheprecedingyear.

iii) InvestmentsdepictedinSchedule10(Investments-Others)arecarriedatcost.

ContingentLiabilities:

1 ClaimsagainsttheEntitynotacknowledgedasdebtsNIL.

NotesonAccounts

1 InvestmentshavebeenmadeonthepatternprescribedintheNotificationofMinistryofFinancend st(DepartmentofFinancialServices)dated2 March,2015effectivefrom1 April,2015.

2 InvestmentsdepictedinSchedule10(Investments-Others)includeinvestmentinGovernment

Securities amounting to ` 18,65,00,000.00 and Others (FDs in Banks/ PSUs) amounting to

`9,41,00,000.00.

3 Thewithdrawal/advancessantionedduringtheyearamountsto 49,56,199.00.Interestpaidto

membersamountsto 1,85,26,682.00andRefundoftheadvancesamountsto 6,42,450.00.

4 "ProvisiondepictedinSchedule7(CurrentLiabilitesandProvisions)includea)Anamountof

`3,06,919/-,asthesubscriptionavailableinhisCPFaccountalongwithinterest,ofShriOm

PrakashGiri,Ex-Driver,whowasremovedfromtheservicesofTRAIhasbeenshownaspayable

toMembers.b)Anamountof`1,33,307/-duespayabletoTRAIbyShriOmPrakashGiri,Ex-

Driver,hasbeenmadeaprovisionfromhisCPFaccountaspayabletoTRAI.c)Anamountof

`1,88,763/-theremainingTRAIContributionalongwithinterestavailableinhisCPFaccount,

afteradjustinghisduespayabletoTRAI,hasbeentransferredtoMisc.Incomeaccount."

5 Corresponding figures for the previous year have been re-grouped/ re-arranged wherever

necessary.

SCHEDULE24-SIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES

SCHEDULE25-CONTINGENTLIABILITIESANDNOTESONACCOUNTS

Sd/-MeetuGulati

Dy.Advisor(F&EA)Secretary(CPF)

Sd/-ReshmaS.Usmani

Asstt.(QoS)Trustee

Sd/-S.K.Dutta

Jt.Advisor(HR)Ex-OfficioTrustee

Sd/-SanjeevKumarSharma

Advisor(Admin)Ex-OfficioPresident

Sd/-SoniaMadan

Dy.Advisor(NSL-II)Trustee

184

FORMOFFIN

ANCIA


NS)


-CONTRIB

UTORYPROVID

ENTFUNDACCOUNT

RECEIPTSANDPAYMENTSFORTHEYEARENDED31-M

AR-2021

(Amountin`)

I.OpeningBalance

a)Cashinhand

b)BankBalances

i)Incurrentaccounts


iii)Savingsaccounts

II.GrantsReceived

a)FromGovernmentofIndia

b)FromStateGovernment

c)FromOtherSources(D

etails)

(Grantsforcapital&revenueexptoshownseperately)

III.IncomeonInvestm

entsfrom

a)Earm

arked/EndowFunds

b)OwnFunds(O

nInvestmentinM

utualFunds)

IV.InterestReceived

a)OnBankDeposits

b)Loans,Advancesetc.

c)Miscellaneous

d)interestonsavings

V.OtherIncome(Specify)

ToM

iscellaneousIncome(FinanceCharge)

VI.A

mountBorrowed

VII.AnyotherReceipts(GiveDetails)

Fees

CapitalFund

SalesofPublication

SaleofAssets

ContributionfromM

embers

ContributionfromTRAI

TransferofBalances

RepaymentofAdvances

MaturityofFDs/Encashmen

tofM

utua

lFun

dsTOTAL

PAYMENTS

RECEIPTS

1.Expenses

a)EstablishmentExpenses

b)AdministrativeExpenses

i)BankCharges&FinanceCharges

IIPaymentsm

adeagainstfundsforvariousprojects

(Namethefundorprojectshouldbeshownalongwith

theparticularsofpaymentsm

adeforeachproject)

III.Investm

entsandDepositsm

ade

a)OutofEarm

arked/Endowmentfunds

b)OutofOwnFunds(Investments-Others)

(Investments-FlexiAccount)

IV.ExpenditureonFixedAssets&CapitalWork-in-progress

a)PurchaseofFixedAssets

b)ExpenditureonCapitalWork-in-progress

V.Refundofsurplusm

oney/Loans

a)TheGovernmentofIndia

b)TheStateGovernment

c)O

therprovidersoffunds

VI.FinanceCharges(Interest)

VII.OtherPayments(Specify)

FinalPayments

AdvancesandW

ithdrawals

VIII.ClosingBalances

a)Cashinhand

b)BankBalances

i)Incurrentaccounts


iii)Savingsaccounts

9,874,490.93

5,184,262.00

10,891,658.06

176,948.00

188,763.00

37,987,081.00

9,909,214.00

440,226.00

642,450.00

33,302,274.00

108,597,366.99

359.90

3,540.00

75,735.00

63,700,000.00

34,846,870.00

4,956,199.00

5,014,663.09

108,597,366.99

721,450.87

7,093,612.00

10,051,272.78

194,180.00

36,207,189.00

10,280,097.00

32,770.00

1,121,210.00

80,649,393.00

146,351,174.65

767,705.72

116,900,000.00

9,661,982.00

9,146,996.00

9,874,490.93

146,351,174.65

Curren

tYe

ar

2020-21

PreviousYe

ar

2019-20

Curren

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ar

2020-21

PreviousYe

ar

2019-20

Sd/-

MeetuGulati

Dy.Advisor(F&EA)

Secretary(CPF)

Sd/-

ReshmaS.U

smani

Asstt.(QoS)

Trustee

Sd/-

S.K.D

utta

Jt.A

dvisor(H

R)

Ex-OfficioTrustee

Sd/-

SanjeevKumarSharm

aAdvisor(Admin)

Ex-OfficioPresident

Sd/-

SoniaM

adan

Dy.Advisor(N

SL-II)

Trustee

185

Annual Report 2020-21 - Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

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Transcript of Annual Report 2020-21 - Telecom Regulatory Authority of India