Set Top Box interoperability on top of TRAI's agenda for 2017

Broadcasting regulator TRAI hoped it would be able to implement Set Top Box interoperability this year to protect the interests of consumers who seek to change their service provider.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman R S Sharma held a meeting with leading broadcasters today and discussed the issue of interoperability of Set Top Boxes (STBs), among others.

Speaking after the interaction, Sharma said that Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has done quite impressive work on the issue of technical interoperability.

"I think we are nearing a solution to having an interoperable STB. That is one of the items on the agenda this year," Sharma said.

Interoperability means that STBs which are provided to a household by a DTH or cable operator would continue to function even if the consumer moves to another service provider.

The TRAI chairman said it was decided that the "friction points" in the broadcasting industry would be discussed and consultations in this direction would be held after which TRAI may come up with recommendations.

Sharma said that another issue which came up for discussion was that there should be more studies and data related to the broadcasting sector for better understanding.

The development of a portal for recording details of service providers was also discussed.

It is learnt that some broadcasters suggested according "infrastructure status" to the sector.

Some broadcasters brought up the issue of certain carriage services by bodies linked to state governments, a practice against TRAI guidelines.

Several other issues related to regulatory aspects and guidelines, including over-the-top content in broadcasting, were discussed in the meeting.