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India
Establishing a digital radio service
It is widely felt that the quality of service on FM radio is inferior; therefore, digital audio broadcasting, which offers a better quality of service, has started to make headway in the radio broadcasting sphere. At present in India, only the satellite form of digital audio broadcasting is available. In order to regulate the industry, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued the Draft Policy Guidelines for Satellite Radio Service.
Telecommunications
India
The Department of Telecommunications recently took steps for environmental protection by issuing guidelines on green technology standards. Among other things, the guidelines impose obligations on service providers for the increased utilisation of renewable energy technologies and 'green passport'-certified equipment in the telecommunications network.
The Department of Telecommunications issues a variety of licences for different types of telecommunications service. Recent discussions have focused on a possible reduction of the multiplicity of licences offered. Revised recommendations issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority suggest that the various licences be recategorised as unified licences, class licences and licensing through authorisation.
The Department of Telecommunications recently issued the 2012 National Telecommunications Policy. Although the policy does not change the existing law, it sets out the objectives and strategies that the government intends to adopt when introducing changes in the sector. Furthermore, it sets out the overall direction that the government is expected to take in regulating the sector.
Debut of new telecommunications policy
The Department of Telecommunications has recently issued a draft of the National Telecommunications Policy 2011. As well as continuing the provision of affordable and effective access to telecommunications for all, the draft policy introduces strategies for streamlining licensing and permitting spectrum pooling, sharing and trading, looking to raise the standards of telecommunications services to a higher level.
The availability of bandwidth is vital for the operation of telecommunications services, but it is a scarce resource. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India has therefore proposed guidelines for the adoption of spectrum sharing. It is hoped that this will lead to optimum utilisation of this resource and enable licensed telecommunications operators to expand their services in the country.
The Department of Telecommunications recently issued a notification amending the licence for security-related concerns for the expansion of telecommunications services in India. The notification supersedes all previous amendments issued by the department in respect of security clearance and makes a telecommunications licensee company completely responsible for the security of its network.
