FM co-location: AIR completes feasibility study

Our eFE Bureau in New Delhi

The feasibility study for sharing of All India Radio (AIR) towers with FM radio licencees in metros has been completed, according to sources. But, say AIR officials, the feasibility study is still being finalised.

Even as there is indication of hurdles in the way of resource-sharing arrangement between AIR and FM radio players in metros, AIR officials have deferred a decision on the issue by a day or two. Some high-level meetings have been scheduled for Tuesday to deliberate on the issue.

AIR has been re-examining the feasibility of sharing its towers with private FM radio companies in metros following some apprehensions over the capacity of AIR towers. Prasar Bharati had made an offer to the FM licencees for co-location of their transmitters on AIR towers in metro cities, about a month ago.

While the metro region plans of AIR-FM resource sharing are yet to take off, AIR is focussing on non-metros instead. To begin with, AIR is signing a memorandum of understanding with Ispat Group’s Music Broadcast Private Ltd (MBPL) for its Lucknow station on Tuesday. Star is supplying content for MBPL and also marketing it. It will be the second FM station for MBPL, after the one in Bangalore.