New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper on “Formulating a Digital Radio Broadcast Policy for private Radio broadcasters”. The paper is part of the TRAI’s efforts towards bringing in digital radio broadcasting in India, a PIB press release stated.
At present, radio broadcasting in India is carried out through medium wave (MW), short wave (SW), and VHF-II. The VHF-II band is popularly known as the FM band due to the use of frequency modulation (FM) technology in this band. Only private sector radio broadcasters are allowed to transmit programs in the FM frequency band (88–108 MHz).
The TRAI has noted that digital radio broadcasting has the capability of broadcasting three to four channels on a single frequency carrier with better audio quality. This is a significant advantage over analogue radio broadcasting, which only allows for one channel to be transmitted on a single frequency carrier.
The TRAI has sought feedback and recommendations from stakeholders on various issues related to the formulation of a digital radio broadcast policy for private radio broadcasters. The stakeholders are invited to submit written comments on the consultation paper by 28th October 2024.