TRAI releases a draft DRM-based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual for broadcasting and cable services
9 October 2026
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India released a draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Rights Management based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026, and invited written comments from stakeholders.
Schedule X of the Interconnection Regulations specifies the requirements for DRM-based systems, which are used mainly by internet protocol television distribution platforms.
TRAI had issued a separate audit manual for conditional access systems, subscriber management systems and set top box based systems on 10th March 2026.
The draft sets out a section-by-section compliance check for Schedule X, the scope and procedure for pre-signal and annual subscriber audits, audit timelines, the roles of distribution platform operators, broadcasters and auditors, and standard formats for declarations and audit reports.
Comments are to be submitted by 30.10.2026 to advbcs-2@trai.gov.in and jtadvbcs-3@trai.gov.in.
The contact named for clarifications is Dr. Deepali Sharma, Advisor (B&CS), TRAI.
In plain words
DRM Digital Rights Management — Technology that controls how a subscriber can access and copy protected television content.
DAS Digital Addressable System — A system in which television signals are sent in encrypted form to identified subscribers.