Remove analogue RIOs from websites: TRAI to broadcasters

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed all broadcasters to ensure that no reference interconnect offers (RIO) for analogue platforms are either executed or displayed on their websites and no offers are made – directly or indirectly – for making their signals of TV channels available on analogue cable television networks. 

Carriage of analogue signals and unencrypted signals after March 31, 2017 is a violation of Section 4A of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995. The Government had notified March 31, 2017 as the last date for implementation of Phase IV of the Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS), therefore, with effect from April 1, 2017 only digital encrypted signals can be carried on the cable TV network in the country. 

However, TRAI has observed that some broadcasters’ RIOs for analogue platforms were being displayed on their website. Hence, the regulator has issued the directive to such broadcasters individually. 

Further, all multi-system operators (MSOs) and cable operators have been advised to ensure that no unencrypted signals are carried on their cable television network.