Mumbai: TRAI has released a consultation paper to formulate a digital radio broadcast policy for private radio broadcasters.

Currently, analogue radio broadcasting in India takes place in medium wave, short wave, and VHF-II (FM) bands. While All India Radio operates across all three, private broadcasters are limited to the FM band (88-108 MHz).

Digital radio broadcasting presents several advantages, including the ability to transmit three to four channels on a single frequency while ensuring high audio quality. This is in contrast to analogue broadcasting, which allows only one channel per frequency. Digital radio also provides opportunities for broadcasters and additional services for listeners.

AIR has started digitising its analogue medium wave and short wave networks, replacing 38 analogue transmitters with digital ones and conducting trials for digital technologies in the FM band. However, digitisation efforts by private FM radio broadcasters are still pending.

In February 2018, TRAI recommended that stakeholders, including radio broadcasters and equipment manufacturers, collaborate to develop a digital radio broadcasting ecosystem. The Authority called for a detailed policy framework to guide the rollout of digital radio services.

In response to a request from the MIB on 23 April 2024, TRAI has initiated a consultation process to gather feedback on the digital radio broadcast policy. Stakeholders can submit written comments by 28 October 2024, with counter-comments accepted until 11 November 2024.