Govt to seek TRAI's help on FDI in Broadcasting sector

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) The Goverment has decided to seek the recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) on the existing foreign investment limits for various segments of Broadcasting sector, that may be retained or revised, including HITS and Cable TV service.

Head-end in the Sky (HITS) is a satellite based system in distributing TV signal via cable.

Trai earlier in its recommendations on November 17 last year had recommended that Foreign Investment Cap should be fixed at 74 per cent for HITS, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi today said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Government has proposed no change in foreign investment limits for cable sector. Downlinking Policy allows 100 per cent FDI and no change has been proposed for channels uplinked from abroad and downlinked in the country.

Mr Munsi said a meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Industry Policy and Promotion) on November 21 last year.

TRAI's recommendations are awaited. As such no limit can be given on such policy issues, the Minister said while replying to a question on whether the government has decided to allow 74 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and (HITS), while also permitting 100 per cent FDI in down linking of general and entertainment channels up-linked from abroad.

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