Since the beginning of the liberalization policy, India has been
witnessing a transformation of its telecom and media regime. In
keeping abreast of global trends and technologies, the Indian
authorities and regulators have tried to formulate policies and
guidelines which create a level playing field among industry
players without undue government interference and at the same time
adequately protect the interests of the end customer.
On 17 October 2007, acting upon a request by the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting ("I&B
"), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
("TRAI"), India's independent
telecom regulator, released its policy formulation recommendations
on Headend-In-The-Sky ("HITS"), a
multiplexing technology that enables satellite transmission of
multiple, digital broadcasting channels1. On 12 November
2009, the Cabinet, hoping to increase cable television penetration
into rural India, finally gave its nod to the HITS policy
guidelines ("HITS Policy").
