(a) whether the Union Government proposes to undertake Broadcasting Service through
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) under the unified system of telecom;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether besides TV channels, Internet TV channels are also proposed to be provided
through the IPTV;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the manner in which it is proposed to control the broadcasting of pornographic contents
through the IPTV platform?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI P. R. DASMUNSI)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 175
FOR ANSWER ON 27.11.2007
(a) to (d): Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a means of using Internet Protocol to
deliver video stream to IP devices from a server. IPTV services have been permitted to
Access Service Licensees as per the service license issued to them by Department of Telecom.
Accordingly telecom licensees such as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar
Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) have been experimenting with IPTV services. Further Internet
Service providers (ISP) having a networth of more than or equal to Rs. 100 crores are also
permitted to provide PITV services after obtaining specific approval. Cable TV operators
registered under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 can also provide IPTV
services without requiring any further license or registration.
IPTV services have become possible due to advancements in technology and availability
of faster bandwidth speeds. The service is capable of providing content from diverse sources,
which may include broadcast channels, internet based content or content hosted on servers
apart from the above. The Government is in the process of formulation of policy guidelines
as to how such content from diverse sources is going to be regulated especially when it is
provided by the Access Service Licensees of Department of Telecom. A Joint Group of the
Department of Telecom and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting was set up to examine the
related issues and the Joint Group has submitted its recommendations to the Government which
are under examination. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has also floated a
consultation paper on provisioning of IPTV services and the issues relating thereto. The
recommendations of TRAI are also awaited on the issue.
(e): Objectionable/obscene contents are prohibited under rules made under Indian Telegraph
Act 1885 and license granted under Indian Telegraph Act. Further transmission of such
contents can be prohibited under the said Act. Further transmission of such contents can
be prohibited under the said Act. Such content also attracts the provisions of Information
Technology Act, 2000, as modified from time to time. As far as the cable operators are
concerned such content is prohibited under the Programme Code and Advertisement Code
prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the rules made
thereunder.