**Summary:**
On August 6, 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), under the Ministry of Communications, hosted a workshop at its New Delhi headquarters to enhance the quality of audits within the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) ecosystem. The workshop targeted the 43 TRAI-empanelled audit firms and broadcasting industry stakeholders. The goal was to reinforce regulatory compliance and promote transparency in television broadcasting distribution. The workshop addressed industry requests for periodic auditor training on audit processes/procedures and improving audit report quality by aligning outcomes with technical and commercial requirements. Regulations mandate annual audits of Subscriber Management Systems (SMS), Conditional Access Systems (CAS), and related systems by TRAI-empanelled auditors or Ms BECIL for all television channel distributors; noncompliance may result in financial penalties. TRAI Chairman, Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, emphasized the importance of these audits in ensuring system conformity to technical requirements and promoting transparency, accuracy, and accountability. The workshop included presentations by BECIL, audit firms, and industry stakeholders. The Release ID for this announcement is 2153162.
Key Entities Referenced
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India: The regulatory body in India that organized the workshop for the training of empanelled audit firms for Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) audit.
Digital Addressable Systems: A system related to television broadcasting distribution, the audit of which was the focus of the workshop.
New Delhi: The location of the TRAI Headquarters where the workshop was held. It is a city and a union territory of India.
Subscriber Management Systems: A system (SMS) audited by TRAIempanelled auditor.
Conditional Access Systems: A system (CAS) audited by TRAIempanelled auditor.
BECIL: Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited, an entity alongside TRAIempanelled auditors that can conduct the annual audit.
Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti: Chairman of TRAI, who spoke about the objective of TRAI and the role of auditors.
Ministry of Communications: The government ministry that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reports to.
Ministry of Communications
TRAI Hosts Workshop to Improve Quality of Audit in
DAS Ecosystem
Posted On: 06 AUG 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today organised a workshop for the training of
empanelled audit firms for Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) audit. Held at TRAI Headquarters in New
Delhi, the workshop marks a significant step in reinforcing regulatory compliance and advancing transparency
across the television broadcasting distribution ecosystem.
With a total of 43 TRAI-empanelled auditors and broadcasting industry stakeholders, the day-long workshop
provided a platform for auditors and other stakeholders to share their observations, learnings, and experiences
during audit processes.
As per Regulations, all distributors of television channels are mandated to undergo an annual audit of their
Subscriber Management Systems (SMS), Conditional Access Systems (CAS), and other related systems by a
TRAI-empanelled auditor or M/s BECIL. Non-compliance may lead to the imposition of financial
disincentives.
“TRAI's objective is to create a fair and equitable environment for all the stakeholders. Our regulatory
measures aim to maintain a balanced approach among diverse stakeholders, while keeping the consumers at
the forefront,” said Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, TRAI.
He added, “The audit, by empanelled auditors, is necessary to ensure that the systems deployed by a DPO
conform to the technical requirements as prescribed. Empanelled auditors must function not merely as
technical reviewers but as guardians in enforcing transparency, accuracy, and accountability.”
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 other industry stakeholders.
****
Samrat/Allen
(Release ID: 2153162)