The Hindu Business Line : Govt plans FM Radio sector expansion: Arora

NEW DELHI: Enthused by the tremendous response to the second phase of bidding for private FM radio, the government has decided to come out with a third phase to sell frequencies in up to 70 more cities, the Information and Broadcasting Secretary, Mr S K Arora said on Wednesday.

The government, which sold around 280 radio stations in about 90 cities in the second phase assuring it of revenues of about Rs 1,100 crore, is firming up plans to expand the FM radio sector further in newer cities.

"We are looking at coming out with a third phase of bidding for private FM radio, which may see frequencies being sold in about 60-70 'B', 'C' and 'D' cities, apart from some in 'A' cities," Mr Arora told PTI here.

He said to provide co-location facilities for private players on Prasar Bharati's infrastructure, the Government was in the process of erecting new towers as well as enhancing capacity on existing ones.

As per a notification before the second phase, the government had approved the co-location of Common Transmission Infrastructure (CTI), consisting of antenna, cable, combiners, buildings, power supply, water supply etc., in each city using Prasar Bharati 's infrastructure for setting up of FM transmission facilities for private FM broadcasters. - PTI

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