An Overview of Temporary Uplinking

A temporary Uplinking facility is available to TV channels (other than news channels) that want to go live. As the name suggests, the temporary uplinking is available for a limited duration and will come into effect only when the authority grants permission. Temporary Uplinking approval is granted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Simply put, a temporary Uplinking is a time-bound broadcasting service available to non-news channels.

Who can apply for Temporary Uplinking approval in India?

Any non-news TV Channel that falls under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting can apply for this approval. The application for the same is available on the authority’s portal. 

But it is just not the TV channel that requires this approval. The organizer seeking a live telecast of a given event also needs to secure this permission.

Temporary Uplinking approval requires when a non-new TV channel wants to broadcast a special event, match, or ceremony. 

Documents to be arranged for Temporary Uplinking

The documents that one needs to arrange to secure the approval of Temporary Uplinking are as follows:

• Authorization letter authenticating the applicant to address licensing formalities.
• Authorization letter (issued by the organizer) confirming the applicant's authenticity.
• Consent letter concerning the TV channel on which you want to telecast the event (If the applicant is other than the TV channel)
• Consent letter of the firm accountable for rendering the temporary Uplinking equipment.
• WPC license that conforms to the quality of the equipment proposed to be used for temporary Uplinking.

Process of obtaining the Temporary Uplinking in India

The listed below is the elaborative procedure for securing Temporary uplinking approval in India:

Step 1: Documents arrangement

Documents play a vital role in any licensing procedure. You can refer to the aforementioned list to know about the documentation. Each document listed above should be in pristine condition before uploading to the portal.

Step 2: Application Filling

Application filing is the next step in this process. For this, you need to visit the authority’s portal and get access to the e-form after logging in.

The application for the temporary uplinking is divided into four major heads as shown below:

• Applicant company details
• Event Details
• Equipment Details
• Application fee details

Each section requires the applicant to fill in some mandatory details. So, be watchful while doing the same as any wrong or missed entry can unnecessarily extend the registration process

Step 3: Inspection of application and document

After the successful submission of the application and document, the inspection step shall arrive. The authority will vet the submitted application and document for any potential error or misleading information.
Step 4: Grant of approval

If the authority fails to identify any error in the form and document, they will proceed to the final step i.e. grant of approval. This means that the applicant can commence the temporary uplinking for a stipulated timeline.

Revamped Guidelines issued by the Authority Concerned

Last year, the Union Cabinet stamped its approval on the fresh guidelines relating to the Uplinking and Downlinking TV channels.

The guidelines aimed at mitigating the common problems of the broadcasting sector relating to the following:

• Approval to the companies in India for downlinking and uplinking
• Establishment of teleports/teleport hubs
• Utilization of Electronic News Gathering (ENG) systems
• Utilization of Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG
• Utilization of Satellite News Gathering (SNG)
• Uplinking by news agencies
• Temprory uplinking

Let’s have a look at the potential benefits offered by these Guidelines:

1. Norms relaxation for the permit holder.
2. Mitigation of the requirement that mandates the TV channel to secure approval for the live telecast. The applicant is now required to secure the prior registration of events.

• There is no need to secure prior approval for a change of language or conversion of the mode of broadcasting from HD to SD or vice versa. From onwards only prior intimation would be sufficient.

1. In case of emergency, the company/LLP is eligible to alter their top management comprising directors/partners, subject to security clearance, to enable decision making
2. A company/LLP now have permission-free access to news-gathering devices such as mobiles, backpack, optic fiber, and so on.
3. Entities falling under the LLP Act 2008 can apply for broadcasting permission

• LLPs/companies now have permission to uplink overseas channels from the domestic teleport. This will help create ample job opportunities in India.
• The news agencies can now enjoy 5 years duration to stay operational.

1. Broadcasters are now free to use any number of teleport/satellites for uplinking
2. New penal provisions have been introduced to make the legal framework more robust than ever. This is against the previous framework that provides for the uniform penalty.

Team up with Corpbiz to get your approval in no time

It has been almost a decade since Corpbiz marked its entry into the licensing regime. Our unparalleled commitment to rendering quality services has poised us today as one of the most reputed legal advisory and licensing consultants in India.

Our expertise lies in document handling and compliance fulfillment relating to the application. With robust liaisoning with almost all government authorities, we ensure prompt grant of the licenses so that your business journey stays seamless from the day it begins.