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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:697
ANSWERED ON:27.4.202
FM RADIO SERVICES
Dhruvanarayana Shri R. ;Jakhar Shri Badri Ram
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) the details of FM radio stations functioning in the country, State-wise and location-wise;
(b) the details of the progress made by the Government regarding expansion of FM radio broadcasting services under the Phase-lll
policy, so far;
(c) whether there are any impediments to the rollout of FM radio broadcasting services in various parts of the country including in rural
areas;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefore, State-wise;
(e) the locations identified to provide the said services under the said policy in various parts of the country, State-wise and location-
wise; and
(f) the time by which the services of new FM radio stations under Phase-lll is likely to be operational in the country including Rajasthan,
State-wise and location-wise?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI
MANISH TEWARI)
(a): Presently, 242 FM channels are operational under existing Phase-ll Policy guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting
services through private agencies. State-wise and location-wise details are given in Annexure |.
In addition, FM stations of All India Radio(AIR) are functional at 246 places in the country. State-wise and location-wise details are
given in Annexure ll.
(b) to (d): The policy on expansion of FM Radio broadcasting services through private agencies (Phase-lll), was approved by the
Cabinet on 7th July, 20. Under the policy, 839 FM channels will be permitted in 294 cities through e-auction, on the lines followed by
Department of Telecommunication (DOT) in the auction 3G & BWA spectrum. Subsequently, certain issues that are either not covered
by the existing Cabinet decision or are beyond the competence of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, have arisen during the
implementation of Phase-lll policy. These issues are:-
(i) TRAI's recommendations to reduce inter-channel spacing to 400 KHz. from the existing 800 KHz;
(ii) Deviation in the 'Request for Proposal’ (RFP) used by Department of Telecommunication (DOT) for appointment of an e-
auctioneer.
(ili) Fee chargeable, if any, for migration of Phase-ll FM licensees to Phase-lll.
Recently, Government have reconstituted the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM), to which the issues mentioned above have
been referred for a decision.
As regards rollout of FM services of AIR, these sometimes face issues relating to availability of land; availability of spectrum etc.
(e) & (f):State-wise and location-wise list of private channels of Phase-lll including Rajasthan are at Annexure-lll. As per the Policy
approved by the Government, the permission holders will be liable to install the radio station and take action to obtain Wireless
Operating Licence (WOL) and operationalise the channel within the time frame prescribed as under:-
(i) Where it is a vacant channel of Phase-ll or additional channel in a city of Phase-Il and Common Transmission Infrastructure (CTI)
has been created: within a period of 72 months from issue of Letter of Intent (LOI).
(ii) Where suitable Land and Tower Infrastructure (LTI) of Prasar Bharati or any other agency is readily available: within a period of 8
months from the date of issue of LOI.
(iii) Where suitable LTI is not readily available: within a period of 24 months from the date of issue of LOI
As regards AIR, FM Transmitters are being installed at 230 more places in the country including 9 places in Rajasthan. State-wise
and location-wise details are given in Annexure-lV.