The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is aiming for India’s Digital rollout as it had previously released the consultation paper titled “Formulating a Digital Radio Broadcast Policy for Private Radio Broadcasters”, Suggestions have poured in from different corners of the industry. 

Suggestions from the Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI)
Various suggestions have poured in including the adoption of a Unified Digital Technology from the Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI) categorically for FM. Reasons like Cost Efficiency have been voiced by the association. 

Other suggestions from AROI include the continuance of Analog Receivers as long as the Digital Receivers are not adopted by more than 80% of the industry and the assessment of DRM and HD Radio for MW and SW bands by All India Radio. 

Suggestions from India Cellular and Electronics Association
ICEA has proposed for phased adoption of HD radio. It is because of its compatibility with multiple devices like Cras, Bluetooth Speakers, and most importantly Mobile Phones, the suggestion reads. 

Suggestions From the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
FICCI has suggested the adoption of HD radio through examples like the US and Mexico. It suggested following a unified technology in order to expedite the adoption and make it easier for the industry to acquire talent and make it easily accessible technology for the people. It would also cost less time, capital, and effort to follow a unified technology easing the rollout and also contributing to its efficiency. 

FICCI has further proposed to incentivize the transition by capping the annual license fee at 4% of Gross Revenue. 

Pace of Digitisation  
All India Radio (AIR) has already begun with the digitization of its broadcast network by replacing its 38 existing analog transmitters with digital ones along with conducting trials for digital technologies in the FM band. At the same time, such initiative from the Private sector in India remains nil. 

Current Situation and Advantage  
In India, analog terrestrial radio broadcasting currently operates on three spectrum bands: Medium Wave (526–1606 KHz), Short Wave (6–22 MHz), and VHF-II (88–108 MHz).

The key advantage of digital radio broadcasting is its ability to transmit three to four channels on a single frequency carrier while maintaining excellent audio quality for all channels. In contrast, analog broadcasting supports only one channel per frequency.

Accordingly, TRAI has initiated the consultation process for the same encouraging the industry to provide suggestions and comments on the consultation paper.