Archive · 9 Oct 2026
TRAI Proposes Detailed Audit Rules for DRM-Based TV Systems
India’s telecom regulator has proposed a guide for checking systems that deliver TV channels using digital rights management.
The guide is especially relevant to IPTV providers.
TRAI is asking stakeholders to comment on the draft.
Rules already require TV distributors to have their systems audited each year.
An earlier manual explained checks for some systems, but stakeholders asked for similar guidance for DRM systems.
The proposed checks cover how subscribers are managed and how TV content is protected and delivered.
The guide also describes what documents and reports are needed.
It is a draft, not a final set of instructions.
TRAI released a draft 2026 audit manual for DRM-based digital addressable television systems and invited stakeholder comments.
The proposed guidance focuses particularly on DRM systems used by IPTV service providers and covered by Schedule X.
The 2017 regulations require annual audits of distributors’ CAS, subscriber management, DRM and related systems.
Proposed checks include subscriber management, content encryption, access controls, fingerprinting, and set-top boxes or software applications.
The draft sets out audit procedures, documentation, timelines, responsibilities and standard reporting formats for pre-signal and annual subscription audits.
- Who
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), with comments invited from stakeholders including IPTV operators, broadcasters and auditors.
- What
- TRAI released a draft audit manual for DRM-based digital addressable television systems.
- When
- Friday; the draft is titled the 2026 manual.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To clarify audit procedures for DRM systems, following stakeholder requests for guidance on systems covered by Schedule X.
- Draft document
- Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Rights Management (DRM)-based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026
- Regulator
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
- Relevant regulation
- Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017
- Systems covered
- DRM-based digital addressable systems, particularly those used by IPTV service providers
- Audit types
- Pre-signal compliance audits and annual subscription audits
- Proposed checks
- Subscriber management, content encryption, access control, fingerprinting, and set-top boxes or software applications
- Status
- Draft released for stakeholder comments; not a final framework
