The expansion of FM Radio through Phase III auction is among the top priorities of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Addressing a CEOs’ round table on FM Radio, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry, Uday Kumar Varma, Secretary, I&B Ministry, said Phase III auction was awaiting a decision by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on key issues. Once that is done, the Ministry will kick-start the auction that will be done through ascending e-auction.
“It is top on our priority list,” he said, adding that, “We are very positive on the growth of radio sector and expansion of FM radio in border and far-flung areas.”
The issues that need the EGoM’s nod include consideration of the telecom regulator’s recommendation on reducing the inter-channel spacing to 400 KHz from the existing 800 KHz, besides changes in the ‘Request For Proposal’ for selection of an e-auctioneer. It will also consider the migration fee, if chargeable, for migration from Phase II to Phase III.
The e-auction process for FM Phase-III in radio is aimed at adding another 839 stations in over 290 towns and cities and is likely to begin by the end of the current financial year.
Asked why the Government did not allow radio channels to use news feed of recognised agencies, Varma said, “We will begin with AIR and then start allowing more news. I do foresee that in the next five to seven years, with things happening the way we expect them to, there is nothing stopping radio to have news.”