Trai floats a consultation paper on various issues of FM Radio sector

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Thursday floated a consultation paper seeking views on various issues in the FM radio sector.

This included whether FM radio stations should be permitted to broadcast independent news bulletins. It also sought views on the annual license fee and license period for FM radio players as well as whether it should be made mandatory for all mobile handsets sold in the country to have in-built FM radio transmitters.

Currently, FM radio operators are allowed to carry the news bulletins of All India Radio in exactly the same format without any alterations. No other news and current affairs programmes are permitted.