NEW DELHI – Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has extended the deadline for public comments on proposed changes to pay-TV interconnection rules, giving stakeholders an extra eight days to file submissions.
TRAI said it issued the draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Seventh Amendment) Regulations, 2025 on 22 September and initially sought comments by 6 October.
Following requests from some stakeholders, the last date has been moved to 14 October. TRAI said no further requests for extension will be considered.
TRAI’s interconnection regulations govern how broadcasters and distribution platform operators, such as direct-to-home and digital cable providers, carry television channels on addressable systems.
What is under consultation
The framework covers matters including the terms of carriage between parties, technical conditions for addressability and related compliance obligations. TRAI said the latest draft amendment forms part of its ongoing review of the interconnection regime for broadcasting and cable services.
The regulator has invited written comments from all interested parties, including broadcasters, multi-system operators, DTH providers, cable operators, technology vendors and consumer groups. Telecom regulator said comments should preferably be sent in electronic form to its broadcasting and cable services division by 14 October.
For clarifications, TRAI said stakeholders may contact the Advisor (B&CS) or the Joint Advisor (B&CS) at its headquarters in New Delhi.
Extensions to consultation windows are commonly granted when industry bodies or civil society groups seek additional time to analyse proposed changes and prepare submissions.
Why the extension matters
TRAI said the decision to extend the deadline was taken after receiving requests from some stakeholders for more time. The regulator said the extended window aims to facilitate wider participation while keeping the consultation timetable on track by setting a firm cut-off date.
India’s addressable broadcasting ecosystem is delivered through conditional access systems that allow subscribers to receive encrypted channels and packages. Interconnection regulations administered by TRAI set the broad ground rules for how channels are made available on these platforms and how parties enter into and implement interconnection agreements.
TRAI periodically amends these regulations after public consultation, citing the need to keep pace with technology and market practice. The current draft is the seventh amendment proposal to this framework.
TRAI set the broad ground rules
After the comment period closes on 14 October, TRAI typically publishes the submissions it receives and may invite counter-comments or hold open house discussions before finalising any amendment.
The regulator did not specify a date for issuance of the final regulations. It said that no further extension for filing comments will be entertained beyond the revised deadline.
The consultation is part of TRAI’s statutory process of rulemaking in the broadcasting and cable sector. The regulator said the draft amendment, the public notice and the contact details for filing responses have been circulated to stakeholders and made available for reference.
