Broadcast and telecom regulator TRAI said it is taking various measures to ensure transparency, non-discrimination and equity across the broadcasting sector value chain, aimed at increasing efficiency and trust, while reducing reduce disputes amongst stakeholders.

Pointing out that India has made “significant progress in economic growth”, emerging as one the fastest growing economies in the world, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) stressed that a “business-friendly environment is a pre-requisite for the growth of any sector”.

In its annual report for the financial year 2022-23, put on its website yesterday, TRAI said, “An enabling business environment makes the country a favourite business destination. It not only leads to employment generation but also helps in the growth and development of a country.”

The regulator highlighted that it was committed to creating an enabling ecosystem for the “investment and growth” of the broadcasting sector.

The annual report goes on to list various initiatives of the regulator in the broadcasting and telecom sectors, apart from other administrative issues tackled by it during the year under review.

“The year 2022-23 has been another busy and eventful year for the broadcasting and cable services sector. India’s media and entertainment industries have always been an important part of our national story.

“Television broadcasting sector has become an important contributor to Indian economic prosperity. The demographic dividend comprising of more than half of the youth population in the country offers huge opportunity for information and entertainment services making the Indian M&E (Media and Entertainment) sector a sunrise sector of Indian economy. It has seen spectacular growth over the years,” TRAI said in the annual report.

The report went on to add that TRAI’s interventions in the telecom and broadcasting sectors came in many forms, ranging from recommendations to the government on key issues like licensing, spectrum valuation and competition to regulations on tariff, quality of service and consumer protection.

TRAI said it maintains a strong focus throughout the process of consultation on transparency, multiplicity of perspective and harmonisation of stakeholders’ interests, which are the cornerstones of a good regulatory system.

It added that even though television remains the largest segment, digital media has seen phenomenal growth with a 27 percent growth in digital subscriptions in 2022.