Convergence & Broadcasting (C&B) Division
Work Responsibilities:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Broadcasting
- Convergence
- Distributed Ledger Technology/ Blockchain
- Emerging Technologies
- National Working Group 9
1. Artificial Intelligence:
Open Consultation:
S.No. | Subject | Date of Issue | Details | Comments sought by |
1 | Draft Standard for assessing and rating Artificial Intelligence Systems for fairness | 29-12-2022 |
13-02-2023 (email to: |
Background:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) applications are increasingly being used in all domains. Unintended biases in their predictions or outcomes is a big concern. One important requirement of Responsible AI is that the AI/ ML System should be unbiased or fair. In achieving the objective of Government of India of building public trust in AI/ ML Systems (#AIforAll), TEC has initiated Fairness Assessment of AI/ ML Systems on Voluntary basis.
- C&B Division TEC held public consultations through an interactive webinar on 22nd March 2022 followed by Consultation Meeting on 1st September 2022 for framing procedures for assessing fairness for different types of AI/ ML Systems, and for issuing fairness rating/ certification to AI/ ML Systems, as a benchmark of fairness.
- As a consequence to the public consultations, TEC constituted a working Group of members from Industry, Academia, Researchers, subject experts from Government departments, etc for preparing the initial draft of the proposed Standard for assessing fairness of AI Systems.
Documents and links:
- TEC OM dated 14-10-2022, 28-09-2022 & 19-09-2022 regarding constitution of a Working Group for preparing the initial draft of the proposed Standard for fairness assessment and rating of AI systems.
- Record of Discussions- Consultation Meeting held on 01-09-2022 on Framework for Fairness Certification of Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Systems
- Video recording of the TEC Webinar held on 22-03-2022 on Framework for Fairness Certification of Artificial Intelligence Systems
- Brochure of the TEC Webinar held on 22-03-2022 on Framework for Fairness Certification of Artificial Intelligence Systems
- TEC letter dated 22-02-2022 inviting inputs for creating Framework for Fairness Assessment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) Systems #AIforAll
- News coverage of TEC's initiative regarding Fairness Assessment of AI/ML
- Reference:
2. Middleware for delivering content to portable devices through WiFi or WLAN:
Open Consultation:
S.No. | Subject | Date of Issue | Details | Comments sought by |
1 | Draft Standard for Generic Requirements of Middleware for delivering broadcast content to portable devices through Wireless LAN | 29-12-2022 |
29-01-2023 (email to: avinash.70@gov.in dircb.tec-dot@gov.in) |
Background:
TEC releases draft Standard for consultation for receiving live television and other audiovisual content to portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets through WLAN/ WiFi without consuming internet/ mobile data. No extra hardware, software, or app required at the user end. No special phone or chipset required. The proposed middleware extends the live TV signals broadcast through conventional means of DTH/ DTT/ CATV, and on-demand content to ordinary mobile devices through WLAN/ WiFi interface. TEC Standard will enhance access to television especially in rural areas, public utility places, moving vehicles, etc. Broadcast access will be cost-effective for end-users and will not load mobile networks. It can be deployed alongwith BharatNet WiFi and also in airports, railway stations, shopping malls, stadiums, trains, buses, etc.
3. Conditional Access System (CAS) and Subscriber Management System (SMS):
- TRAI has designated TEC as the Testing and Certification Agency for Conditional Access System (CAS) and Subscriber Management System (SMS) used for Broadcasting and Cable TV services as per order dated 20-09-2021. Convergence & Broadcasting Division is the Nodal Division in TEC for the work related to CAS and SMS testing and certification.
- C&B Division has issued the Test Guides for CAS & SMS, prepared after detailed stakeholder consultations.
- C&B Division floated Expression of Interest (EOI) on 24-06-2022 for accreditation of Labs for testing of CAS & SMS.
- C&B Division organised an Open House Session on 04-08-2022 with Labs, Multiple system operators (MSO), Broadcasters, TRAI, BIS, concerned Government departments and other stakeholders for consultation and discussion on finalisation of process for accreditation of Labs and setting of Labs for testing of CAS and SMS.
- M/s Salka Global Technologies Pvt Ltd designated for testing of CAS and SMS.
Documents and links:
- Certification procedure for certification of CAS and SMS
- Procedure for designating domestic testing lab for testing of CAS & SMS
- Letter regarding designation of M/s SALKATECH for testing of CAS & SMS
- Records of Discussion of Open House Session held on 04.08.2022 for discussion on accreditation of Labs for testing of CAS & SMS.
- TEC invites proposal for accreditation of Labs for testing of CAS & SMS.
- Test Guide of Conditional Access System (CAS) dated 15-06-2022
- Test Guide of Subscriber Management System (SMS) dated 15-06-2022
- Previous drafts of Test Schedule & Test Procedures for consulations: TSTP draft for CAS dated 25-03-2022, TSTP draft for SMS dated 25-03-2022, TSTP draft dated 11-01-2022, TSTP draft for CAS & SMS dated 27-12-2021, TEC letter dated 27-09-2021 seeking comments on TSTP for CAS & SMS
- TRAI Notification dated 20-09-2021 designating TEC as testing & certifying agency for CAS & SMS
- TRAI Notification - The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2021 dated 11-06-2021
- TRAI Consultation Paper On Framework for Technical Compliance of Conditional Access System (CAS) and Subscriber Management Systems (SMS) for Broadcasting & Cable Services 22nd April 2020
4. Broadcasting:
- C&B Division is nodal for framing the Generic Requirements (GR)/ Interface Requirements (IR)/ Service Requirements (SR)/ Standards (SD)/ Essential Requirements (ER) and associated Test Schedule & Testing Procedures (TSTP) for Convergence & Broadcasting products/ services. These include Standards on voice, video and data IP applications over cable TV networks (IPCablecom); interactive cable television service; high-speed data services; IP-based television and video-on-demand distribution (IPTV service), next-generation cable modems, interactive content formats, common application programming interfaces (APIs) for broadcasting services, methods for evaluating audio-visual quality, home network, and Internet Protocol (IP) broadcasting.
- Essential Requirements (ER) for Hybrid Set-top Boxes finalised through public consultations.
- C&B Division released the New Standard (No. TEC 57030:2022) for Generic Requirements of "Band Pass Filter for C-Band Satellite Earth Receivers in 3700-4200 Mhz Guard Band" on 04-08-2022 to address possible interference from 5G to the satellite earth receivers used for DTH television broadcasting by MSOs, etc.
Documents and links:
- Standard for Generic Requirements for "Band Pass Filter for C-Band Satellite Earth Receivers in 3700-4200 Mhz with 30 MHz Guard Band" (No. TEC 57030:2022)
- Essential Requirements (ER) for Hybrid Set-top Boxes released on 01-07-2022.
- Inputs received for Draft Essential Requirements of Hybrid Set Top Box - agenda for the online meeting held on 06-04-2022
- Draft Essential Requirements (ER) for Hybrid Set-top Boxes issued for public consultations on 17-03-2022
- Record of Discussions- Open House Session on Role of Standard Setting organization for Broadcasting Sector in India
5. National Working Group 9:
- TEC letter dated 25-02-2022 regarding Reconstitution of NWG-9 (National Working Group 9) corresponding to ITU-T Study Group 9 “Broadband Cable and TV”
- National Working Group-9 reconstituted under chairmanship of DDG (C&B) TEC. Please visit NWG-9 page for details.
6. Other Activities:
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TEC Website development and maintenance
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New portals development and integration