The two sides would have us believe that there’s no jarring note insofar as Internet protocol television is concerned.
The two sides would have us believe that there’s no jarring note insofar as IPTV (internet protocol television) is concerned. But, the truth is that IPTV continues to be caught between the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry and the department of telecommunications (DoT). Now, the I&B ministry has even decided to seek the view of the law ministry to obtain clarity on whether IPTV falls under the jurisdiction of I&B or DoT, it is learnt.
Interestingly, regulatory issues are cropping up at a time when telecom companies are racing to launch their respective IPTV services. While Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) recently launched its IPTV service in Delhi and Mumbai, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is planning to roll out its offering soon. Private players like Bharti are carrying out pilots across the country. Even, Reliance Communications has ambitious IPTV plans.
All these plans may face regulatory confusion if DoT and I&B can’t figure out who’s in charge.
Consider what the department of telecommunications has to say on who manages IPTV. A top representative of DoT recently told DNA Money, “anything to do with TV is obviously under the I&B ministry.” DoT does not want to meddle with that, he added.
On the same issue, a senior official in the I&B ministry pointed out, “by the very definition of IPTV, it falls under DoT”. Only the content carried in IPTV will be monitored by the I&B ministry, according to the I&B official.
But since the two ministries appear confused, it is learnt that the I&B ministry is seeking the opinion of the law ministry to obtain clarity on the legislative aspects of IPTV.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has already been studying the IPTV issue in order to clear the grey regulatory areas.
Recently, Trai chairman Nripendra Misra told this newspaper that it had “floated a consultation paper seeking industry views on IPTV regulation three to four months ago”. He added, “we have decided to address the issue with greater clarity through another consultation paper now. That paper has not been prepared yet.” Regulation for IPTV exists in the form of the Cable TV Act and the Telegraph Act, according to him. IPTV has to fall under them, he said.
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