Section 20 in Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff Order, 2017
20. TRAI is a statutory body established under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the TRAI Act, 1997 and has been mandated to discharge the statutory functions prescribed under the said Act. The Act, as originally enacted, did not include "Broadcasting Services" within its ambit. However, the Parliament realizing the importance and the need to regulate this industry amended the TRAI Act and included the Proviso to section 2(1)(k) that enabled the Central Government to notify Broadcasting Services as a "telecommunication service". Pursuant to the said amendment in 2004, the Central Government issued two Notifications both dated 09.01.2004 that, among other things, notified "Broadcasting Services" as telecommunication service and affirmed the jurisdiction of the TRAI to regulate the said sector with regard to certain matters in addition to the powers available to it in terms of the Act. Moreover, S.O. 45 (E) issued as part of the Notification No. 39 dated 09.01.2004 in express terms entrusted the additional function to the TRAI of specifying standard norms for and periodicity of revision of rates of pay channels including interim measures.
