Ending satellite-only regime: Implementation only pending step

Guest Column: Dr. Rabindra Narayan, Founder & MD, GTC Network, in a note to MIB Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, writes that there is a need to end mandatory satellite-only regime for TV channel delivery

by Dr. Rabindra Narayan
Published: Jul 17, 2026 12:50 PM | 3 min read

Dr. Rabindra Narayan, Founder & MD of GTC Network, urged MIB Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to implement TRAI's recommendations from January 15, 2025, which propose ending the mandatory satellite-only delivery for TV channels.
TRAI's recommendations allow broadcasters to use various terrestrial mediums for delivery, while maintaining a national-level regulatory framework and ensuring compliance with existing content and advertising codes.
The proposed changes aim to reduce costs for new channels, promote the use of Indian infrastructure, and align with global broadcasting standards, thus supporting the Digital India initiative.
Dr. Narayan emphasized the importance of central oversight in broadcasting for national security and law enforcement, advocating for the prompt notification of TRAI's recommendations by the MIB.

Dr. Rabindra Narayan, Founder & MD, GTC Network, writes a note to MIB Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on the implementation of TRAI Recommendations dated 15 January 2025 on Ground-based Broadcasters, stating the need to end the mandatory satellite-only regime for TV channel delivery

MIB initiated this reform. TRAI has delivered. Implementation is the only pending step.

MIB, vide its letter dated 22 May 2024, sought TRAI's recommendations on a Regulatory Framework for Ground-based Broadcasters under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997. TRAI ran a full consultation: Consultation Paper on 18 October 2024, Open House Discussion on 20 December 2024, and final Recommendations on 15 January 2025. Eighteen months on, the recommendations await notification.

2. What TRAI has recommended

- The 2022 Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines mandate satellite delivery to DPOs. TRAI recommends permitting delivery through any terrestrial medium: cable, fiber, cellular, microwave, Wi-Fi, internet and cloud, with no restriction on technology and freedom to use multiple systems as a business decision.
- GBBs and SBBs get a comparable framework. A broadcaster can switch between or combine satellite and terrestrial delivery with Central Government permission.
- Service area stays at the National level. TRAI's own reasoning: a national-level, technology-neutral and transmission-medium-agnostic regime enables easy monitoring, while state-level permissions would create monitoring challenges for the Government. Content regulation, programme code and advertising code obligations remain fully intact.

3. Why early notification serves the national interest

- Foreign exchange. Every channel today must lease satellite transponder capacity, largely from foreign operators, paid in US dollars, year after year. Fiber, broadband and cloud delivery moves this spend to Indian infrastructure, in rupees.
- Entry costs. Satellite uplinking is the largest fixed cost for a new channel. Terrestrial delivery cuts it to a fraction, opening broadcasting to regional players and smaller language markets. Direct alignment with Ease of Doing Business.
- Technology. Cloud playout and IP delivery are the global broadcast standard. The mandate locks Indian broadcasters into legacy workflows.
- Digital India. BharatNet, 5G and Indian data centres can carry this traffic today. The reform keeps the value chain within India.
- No regulatory dilution. TRAI has designed the framework to mirror the 2022 Guidelines minus only the satellite-specific provisions. MIB oversight is unchanged.

4. Request

MIB may kindly accept and notify the TRAI Recommendations of 15 January 2025 and amend the 2022 Guidelines to make satellite delivery optional. This completes a reform process MIB itself set in motion in May 2024.

5. A note from the undersigned

The undersigned participated in TRAI's Open House Discussion of 20 December 2024 and argued that broadcasting is a national subject with law and order and national security dimensions, and must remain under a central body at the national level rather than fragment state-wise. TRAI's final recommendations reflect this position. The framework before the Ministry is sound, security-conscious and ready for notification.