TRAI Holds Workshop to Enhance Audit Quality in Digital Addressable Systems
New Delhi, July 31 (TNT): The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday organised a workshop for its empanelled audit firms to enhance the quality of audits in the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) ecosystem and strengthen transparency and regulatory compliance in the television broadcasting distribution sector.
The day-long workshop, held at TRAI headquarters here, was attended by empanelled auditors, broadcasters and Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs).
A total of 81 participants attended in person, while 52 joined virtually, providing a platform to exchange experiences and best practices in the audit process.
The workshop focused on the revised audit framework following amendments to the Interconnection Regulations and the Audit Manual, which came into effect from April 1, 2026.
Under the amended regulations, distributors are required to complete audits on a financial year basis and submit audit reports to broadcasters by September 30 every year.
The revised framework also permits broadcasters to nominate representatives during audits to enhance transparency.
Broadcasters may seek clarifications from auditors in case of discrepancies and, if not satisfied, conduct independent audits after obtaining TRAI approval.
The regulations further make annual audits optional for distributors with fewer than 30,000 subscribers, while allowing broadcasters to commission such audits at their own expense.
Addressing the workshop, TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said the regulator’s objective was to maintain a fair and equitable environment for all stakeholders while keeping consumer welfare at the centre of its regulatory framework. He said audits conducted by TRAI-empanelled auditors were critical for ensuring compliance with technical and commercial requirements, including subscriber declarations, Conditional Access Systems (CAS), Subscriber Management Systems (SMS), fingerprinting and other regulatory norms.
TRAI said the workshop was organised in response to industry requests for periodic training of auditors to improve audit quality and ensure greater alignment of audit reports with technical and commercial requirements.
The programme featured presentations by BECIL, audit firms and industry stakeholders.
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