The ministry of communications and the ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) have almost prepared the draft agreement on the content, carriage, regulatory and the licensing jurisdiction regarding these new technologies in India. The emerging new technologies such as IPTV, mobile TV, and DTH are expected to get tough guidelines from the government in coming days.

According to the report, the regulations would bring lucidity and transparency for the functioning of these new technologies in future. On the question of the service providers, the two ministries, ministry of communications and I&B ministry, have been engaged in the altercation over this issue. The two ministries have also approached the law ministry to solve the matter.

Then, the government decided to establish the joint group on communication convergence. After repeated various meetings with the two ministries, the joint group also met with the PM’s principal secretary. Now the clear domains have been drawn.

According to the report, the communications ministry will work as the regulatory and licensing authority for the functioning of IPTV. The content provided by the broadcasters would be monitored by the I&B ministry.

On the other hand, the IPTV players would be allowed to carry channels those will be registered with the I&B ministry. The other services such as video on demand would need to get certification from the Central Board of Film Certification. While, the IT act would regulate the Internet-based content on IPTV.

When the Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India would come into effect, it would start monitoring the broadcasting services including content, issuing licences, permissions, registration. It would also lay down codes and technical standards for quality under the I&B ministry. MTNL, BSNL and Reliance Communications are some of the players that have either entered or have entered the IPTV space.

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