Telecom & Broadcasting

Telecom & Broadcasting

The firm has the leading Telecom & Broadcasting Regulatory Practice in the country:

  • The firm started its practice in telecom and broadcasting laws from the very birth of the field
  • Represents various telecommunication companies against the Government & regulatory bodies
  • Represents various broadcasters/distributers of television channels in relation to broadcasting regulatory affairs before judicial & quasi-judicial forums
  • Advises & represents broadcasters/distributors of television channels in respect of regulation of programming contentbefore various bodies (including Governmental & Autonomous) in India
  • Handles issues of licensing & content regulation for leading radio stations
  • Represents major media houses in contractual disputes
  • Has actively participated in regulation framing & other policy formation in the past & currently continues to support the regulatory Authorities & Government in policy drafting & amendments
  • Involved in all the leading matters relating to policy issues before the Tribunal and the Supreme Court of India
  • Has handled litigation, advisory, drafting and regulatory work for some of the biggest players in the telecom and broadcasting industry, such as Bharti, Vodafone, Tata Sky, You Telecom, Viacom 18, Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF), Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL), Times Internet, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Zee Turner Limited, Dish TV, Siti Cable (earlier known as Wire & Wireless India Ltd.), Taj Television etc.
  • Involved in major litigations regarding content regulation and defamation suit

Leading Telecom, Broadcasting & Regulatory Cases:

  • BSNL Vs. TRAI (Appeal No. 1 of 2004)- jurisdiction of TRAI to adjudicate disputes between Service Providers after amendment of TRAI Act was settled
  • BSNL Vs. TRAI (Appeal No. 1 of 2004)- Jurisdiction of TRAI to adjudicate disputes between Service Providers after amendment of TRAI Act
  • BSNL Vs. TRAI (Appeal No. 11 of 2002- whether TRAI has any jurisdiction to amend the Terms and Conditions of Interconnect agreement signed between two Service Providers and Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) in Telecom Sector
  • Bharti Telenet Vs. UOI (Appeal No. 1 of 2002)- Permissibility of near-end/far-end in offer of calls by the Service Providers
  • BSNL Vs. TRAI (Appeal No. 31 of 2003)-Issue of mandatory direct connectivity between two Service Providers
  • BSNL Vs. TRAI (Appeal No. 1 of 2006 & 8 of 2006) -carriage charged payable by service providers have to be on the principal of work done
  • Hathway Cable & Datacom Ltd. Vs. Taj Television- aspect of non- discriminatory must-provide regime in the regulatory broadcasting sector keeping in view the issue relating to competition
  • Dish TV vs ESPN (Petition No. 836(C) & 382(C) of 2012) - extent of right of DTH operator of package channels
  • IMCL vs Media Pro- permissibility of negotiated agreements in the regulated regime
  • BSNL vs UOI- applicability of sales tax on telecommunication services
  • Tata Sky vs State of M.P -applicability of entertainment tax on broadcasting services by DTH operator
  • Star India vs Sea TV- non-discriminatory access to the content and hierarchy of broadcasting distribution system
  • Star India Vs. Zee TV- The matter relating to interpretation of clause 3.2 (Must Provide)
  • BSNL Vs. Union of India (Supreme Court) and other matters- Payment of Entertainment Tax by DTH Operators
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