New Delhi, Aug 9 (FN Bureau) Telecom and broadcasting regulator TRAI has sought views from stakeholders on issues relating to audit related provisions of Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection regulations and the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual. One of the prime objectives of TRAI is to create a fair and equitable environment for all stakeholders. Interconnection Regulation establish a trust-based system through third-party auditors to balance the diverse interests of various service providers, including broadcasters and distributors, while keeping the consumers at the forefront, TRAI said in the paper.
Independent Audit is one of the core principles of Interconnection Regulations. In this regard, some stakeholders have opined that certain amendments are required in the audit related provisions in the Interconnection Regulation 201, TRAI said. Further consequent upon acceptance of TRAI recommendations on “Sharing of Infrastructure in Television Broadcasting Distribution Sector” of March 2017, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued guidelines for infrastructure sharing. Therefore, it is pertinent to review the existing framework and incorporate the enabling provisions in the Interconnection Regulation 2017 and Audit Manual. The TRAI has sought views broadly on three issues such as i) amendments required in Audit related provisions in Interconnection Regulation 2017 (as amended); ii) amendments to Audit manual enabling provisions for infrastructure sharing in Interconnection Regulation 2017 and Audit Manual. In all the TRAI has raised 18 questions relating various clauses of audit and the stakeholders have been asked to submit their views by end of September this year.