MANU/TRAI/0051/2018

Department/Board : Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Press Release No. : 46/2018

Date : 18.04.2018

TRAI conducted an Open House Discussion (OHD) on Consultation Paper on "Empanelment of Auditors for Digital Addressable Systems"

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) convened an Open House Discussion (OHD) on Consultation Paper on "Empanelment of Auditors for Digital Addressable Systems" on 12th April, 2018. A number of stakeholders including associations, companies/organization/firms, service providers, individuals attended the OHD.

2. TRAI brought a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital addressable systems and notified the interconnection regulations namely the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 dated 3rd March 2017. These regulations have provisions relating to technical audit and subscription audit wherein it has been provided that the Authority may empanel auditors for this purpose. Presently, these regulations are sub-judice in the Hon'ble High Court of Madras and Hon'ble High Court of Delhi. TRAI floated a Consultation Paper on "Empanelment of Auditors for Digital Addressable Systems" dated 22.12.2017 seeking comments of stakeholders on the issues involved. This consultation paper is a preparatory work before calling proposals for empanelment of auditors, and has no bearing on the said regulations or ongoing litigations. The objective of this consultation process is to enable TRAI to prepare a comprehensive document to seek proposals from auditors in line with the industry requirement and formulate guidelines to auditors. Total number of 22 stakeholders including associations, companies/ organization/ firms, service providers, individuals had submitted their valuable comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper. During the OHD, the stakeholders have provided their comments on the issues discussed in the consultation paper.

3. For any clarification/ information, Sh. Anil Kumar Bhardwaj, Advisor (B&CS) may be contacted at Tel. No.: +91-11- 23237922.

(U. K. Srivastava)
Secretary (I/C), TRAI