The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today organised a workshop for the training of empanelled audit firms for Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) audit. Hosted at TRAI Headquarters in New Delhi, the workshop underscores a major step toward promoting regulatory compliance and fostering greater transparency across the television broadcasting distribution ecosystem.

Attended by TRAI-empanelled auditors and representatives from the broadcasting industry i.e. broadcasters as well as Distribution Platform Operators, the day-long workshop served as a valuable platform for exchanging observations, insights, learnings, and experiences gained during audit processes. The workshop was attended by 81 participants in physical mode and 52 participants through online mode.

To address the issues related to audit framework, amendments to the Interconnection Regulation and audit Manual have been issued this year which are effective from 1^st April 2026. The salient features of the amended regulation include:

 

• Clearly defined timelines for audits; wherein distributors have to conduct audit and submit audit report to broadcasters by 30^th September every year.

 

• Audit is to be done on financial year basis in place of earlier calendar year.

 

• Broadcasters can depute their representative during audit to ensure transparency and credibility of the audit process.

 

• If broadcasters find inadequacies/discrepancies in audit report, they can seek clarifications from the auditor through DPO. Auditors must address the same in a time-bound manner.

 

• If broadcaster is not satisfied with these clarifications, it can get the audit conducted at its own cost, after obtaining approval of the Authority.

 

• In case a broadcaster does not receive the audit report by 30^th September from the distributor, it can cause audit of such a distributor.

 

• To promote ease of doing business, the requirement of annual audit at DPOs cost has been made optional for distributors with fewer than 30000 subscribers. However, broadcasters can get such DPOs audited at broadcasters’ cost.

 

Quote from TRAI Chairman

“TRAI’s primary objective is to foster a fair and equitable environment for all stakeholders. Its regulatory decisions reflect a commitment to balancing the interests of broadcasters, distributors, and other service providers, while placing consumer welfare at the heart of the decision-making process,” said Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, TRAI.

He added, “Audits conducted by TRAI-empanelled auditors are essential to ensure that the systems deployed by Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) conform to the prescribed technical requirements. The annual audit process verifies the accuracy of both technical and commercial reports, including subscriber declarations and compliance with addressable system requirements relating to Conditional Access Systems (CAS), Subscriber Management Systems (SMS), fingerprinting, and other regulatory provisions. By ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to established standards, these audits play a vital role in strengthening and sustaining a trust-based broadcasting ecosystem.”

The workshop was convened following industry requests made to the Authority for periodic training of auditors on audit processes and procedures, and for improving the quality of audit reports by aligning audit outcomes with technical and commercial requirements. Sessions featured expert presentations by BECIL, audit firms, and industry stakeholders.

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NJ/AR

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