The license for CR is 100 watt transmitter and going by guidelines, it reaches 10 kilometers.
WPC, when it says there are a certain number of frequencies reserved for CR stations within a certain "circle" it defines a circle as 100 kilometers (because this works for private FM stations - 3000 watts). This is what I have been told. I'm not sure Assuming it's true: For every circle, only 30% (approx) can be covered by CR. Assuming licensing is fast-tracked like crazy, because it is a "thrust" area for the government, even then, if these numbers are extended, CR as a movement, can only cover 30% of India, because frequencies will not be "available" The only two solutions would be: 1) Reduce the size of the circle to 50 kilometers - and then we can have 3 frequencies reserved for CR in each circle, that's fine 2) Increase the reservation in terms of number of frequencies..It was 6 earlier, then became 4, now it is 3. If it 100 kilometer circle, then at least 6-7 frequencies should be reserved for CR per circle. It appears that MoIB is sympathetic, but occasional help from them just won't help the case here. This is DoT's thing, and we need to take it up with them - specifically, WPC, and SACFA. I heard someone saying that according to the rule books, SACFA is a committee, where govt has the power to involve members of the public as well. But i don't see this happening. Sajan has mentioned that there's a workshop on the 2nd of Nov in Delhi, where licensing issues will be sorted out. Can CRF or someone else, perhaps raise this issue at this workshop? Or get Ms. Sahu to address it? I do remember seeing that someone from WPC also will be there. Although usually, they never turn up. Of course, there is another option, apply for a broadcasting license, with transmitter strength of 10 watts or even 5 watts- and we might find even DoT being more charitable with frequencies. But I don't think we'll see too many buyers for low-powered community radio. best, Ram On Mon, Oct 17, 2011 at 10:03 PM, Michelle Chawla <[email protected] > wrote: > Dear All, > > Tamarind Tree a non profit located in Dahanu, Maharashtra has applied > for a CR license in May 2011. Our Home Ministry check was completed in > June. > > However on follow up with the MIB in June, we were told that the WPC has > rejected our application on grounds of non availability of frequencies! > Dahanu is located 150 kms north of Mumbai and is an entirely > rural-tribal region, declared a schedule area. MIB mentioned that there > may be several private radio stations operating in our area. We > clarified that there are none -- and unlikely to come up soon in this > tribal belt. We were asked to recheck our geo-coordinates and see if > there was some mistake. We did that and informed MIB that there was > nothing wrong with the coordinates. > > Post this interaction, we were told that there are several such > applications pending and the WPC is reconsidering them. > > I called Mr Grewal today and he mentioned that they are working with the > WPC and asking them to review their policy of allocation of > frequencies. > > However, It seems like its going to be a long wait... > > It would be good if the CRF could make a case for us and groups like > ours to the MIB on the ridiculousness of this claim of frequency > availability? > > Any suggestions? > > Regards, > Michelle > > Join the Community Radio Forum. For membership details, please go to > www.crforum.in
Join the Community Radio Forum. For membership details, please go to www.crforum.in
