TRAI Hosts Workshop to Improve Quality of Audit in DAS Ecosystem

Information Note to the Press (Press Release No. 106/2026)

For Immediate Release

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

New Delhi, July 31, 2026 - 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 ThAI 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 1t 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 30th 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.

o In case a broadcaster does not receive the audit report by 30th 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

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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.

(Harinder Kumar)

Secretary, TRAI

www.traLgovin

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