TRAI issues consultation paper on reserve prices for FM radio auction

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released a Consultation Paper (CP) on “Reserve Prices for auction of FM Radio channels”.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) vide its reference dated 19thMarch 2024 has sought TRAI’s recommendations on reserve price for auction of FM Radio channels in 18 cities/towns in the states of Himanchal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir for the expansion of Private FM Radio. MIB has decided to introduce a new category ‘E’ for these cities. MIB has proposed that all the technical parameters applicable for category ‘D’ cities, except for Effective Radiated Power (ERP) may apply to category ‘E’ cities. MIB has proposed the ERP for Category ‘E’ as 750 Watt to 1 Kilo Watt.

MIB has also requested TRAI to recommend the reserve price the cities of Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), Rourkela (Odisha) and Rudrapur (Uttarakhand).

Accordingly, this Consultation Paper has been prepared to seek the comments/views of the stakeholders on the determination of reserve prices for auction of FM Radio channels, under FM Phase-Ill Policy. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 29th August 2024. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by 12th September 2024.

For report, click here.