TRAI’s internet TV proposal raises concerns over wider OTT regulation, say legal experts

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) proposal to bring internet-based linear television distribution under a broadcasting authorisation framework has raised questions about the scope of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and whether its interpretation could have implications beyond television services for other content applications delivered over the internet, legal experts told ET.

“TRAI anchors its jurisdiction in a conjoint reading of Sections 2(g), 2(p) and 2(t) of the Telecom Act, concluding that a linear channel delivered over IP networks is a ‘telecommunication service’.