‘Allow cable ops to start Internet TV’

Trai on Friday mooted allowing registered cable operators to provide Internet television without a fresh license, while proposing a revenue related license fee for telecom firms giving the service. In its final draft recommendation, Trai said cable TV operators registered under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995, will not require any further license. It said telecom service providers having license to provide triple play services and Internet service providers with net worth more than Rs 100 cr will not require any further registration to provide IPTV services.

Trai said telecom service providers providing IPTV would be subject to percentage of AGR as licence fee, which is presently 6 per cent, 8 per cent and 10 per cent for access service licencees in Category C, B and A circles and 6 per cent for ISPs. Under existing norms, service licensees are permitted to provide triple play services and IPTV is permitted under this provision.