Trai plan to regulate internet TV triggers pushback from OTT, broadcaster groups
Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (Trai) move to examine whether internet-based television services should come under a formal regulatory framework has triggered pushback from digital industry groups and broadcasters, who warn that broad definitions could pull OTT platforms, social media video services and even news websites with video sections into a broadcast-style licensing framework, even though such services are currently governed under the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, and do not require licences to operate.
In a consultation paper released in April, Trai sought stakeholder comments on how application-based linear television distribution (ALTD) services and Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) platforms should be defined and regulated. The regulator coined the term ALTD as a broader category for apps and websites that stream scheduled television channels over the internet, with FAST services forming one subset of such offerings.
Also Read: Telcos urge TRAI to regulate OTT apps as spam shifts online
The regulator said such services, commonly available through smart TV interfaces and streaming apps, increasingly resemble traditional television distribution and sought stakeholder views on whether issues such as regulatory parity, content accountability and consumer protection warrant a formal framework.
FAST services typically offer free television channels supported by advertising and are increasingly available through smart TVs and streaming apps.
In counter comments to Trai, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) warned that definitions broad enough to include any platform distributing curated audio-visual content online could potentially bring every OTT platform, social media video service and news website with video content under a broadcast-style licensing framework. "Regulating them as telecommunications or broadcasting service providers would have no legal foundation and would open the door to regulating every website and application as a broadcast service," IAMAI said.
In a consultation paper released in April, Trai sought stakeholder comments on how application-based linear television distribution (ALTD) services and Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) platforms should be defined and regulated. The regulator coined the term ALTD as a broader category for apps and websites that stream scheduled television channels over the internet, with FAST services forming one subset of such offerings.
Also Read: Telcos urge TRAI to regulate OTT apps as spam shifts online
The regulator said such services, commonly available through smart TV interfaces and streaming apps, increasingly resemble traditional television distribution and sought stakeholder views on whether issues such as regulatory parity, content accountability and consumer protection warrant a formal framework.
FAST services typically offer free television channels supported by advertising and are increasingly available through smart TVs and streaming apps.
In counter comments to Trai, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) warned that definitions broad enough to include any platform distributing curated audio-visual content online could potentially bring every OTT platform, social media video service and news website with video content under a broadcast-style licensing framework. "Regulating them as telecommunications or broadcasting service providers would have no legal foundation and would open the door to regulating every website and application as a broadcast service," IAMAI said.
Next Story
