Telecom, cable operators requires no fresh licence for IPTV: TRAI

New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today said the telecom service providers (UASL or CMTS licencees), cable operators and ISPs with net worth of Rs 100 crore do not require any fresh licence for providing IPTV service.

In its recommendations, TRAI said the telecom licencees while providing TV channels through IPTV will transmit only such channels in exactly same form (unaltered) for which broadcasters have received up-linking/down-linking permission from the government.

Telecom service provider providing IPTV will show only those news channels which have been approved by Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

However, TRAI said up linking/down linking guidelines should be amended to enable the broadcasters to provide signals to all distributors of TV channels such as cable operators, MSOs, DTH operators, HITS operators, IPTV service providers.

IPTV is a new method of delivering and viewing television programmes using an IP network and high speed broadband technology.

Earlier, TRAI had sought comments of stakeholders up to September 21, 2007.

UNI