TRAI Telecommunication Regulations, 2026

Aspects

Provisions

Audit Timeline

• Annual audit to be conducted on a financial year basis and audit report to be submitted by 30^th September every year.

Audit Transparency

• Broadcasters allowed to depute representatives during audits.

Clarification Mechanism

• Broadcasters can seek clarifications on discrepancies through DPO.
• Auditors must respond within a time limit.

Re-Audit Provision

• If unsatisfied, the broadcaster may conduct an audit at its own cost after TRAI approval.

Non-submission of Audit Report

• If the distributor fails to submit the report by 30th September, the broadcaster can cause an audit of the distributor.

Small Distributors

• Annual audit is optional for DPOs with less than 30,000 subscribers.
• Here, the broadcasters may audit at their own cost.

Infrastructure Sharing

• Separate SMS and CAS/DRM instances are required for each distributor for entity-wise reconciliation.

Logo & Watermarking

• Infrastructure provider to insert network logo watermark at encoder end for all pay channels.
• Seeker to provide logo via Set-Top Box (STB)/middleware; preferably, only two logos visible.

Audit Framework

• Revised Audit Manual to be issued in line with amended regulations.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

• It is a statutory body established by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
• Aim – To regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government.
• The TRAI Act was amended in 2000 to establish the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
• TDSAT – Adjudicates any dispute between,
  • A licensor and a licensee,
  • Two or more service providers,
  • A service provider and a group of consumers,
  • And hears and disposes of appeals against any direction, decision or order of TRAI.