Govt of India started auctioning FM frequency to private broadcasters to improve the coverage area in the country. It was planned to improve programme content, provide wider choice of programmes, improve broadcast quality, enhance technical features. FM Phase-I Policy was approved by the Government in July, 1999. The FM Phase-I Policy provided for selection of successful bidders through open option. The Phase-I policy met with the limited success. A total number of 21 channels are operational in 12 cities under this scheme.
Preparation of a conceptual project report covering the preliminary design of the project.
Cost estimate of the project technical and strategic advice
Selection of site / building & evolving of detailed design for making it suitable for the project.
SACFA Clearance Acoustic work of Studio and interiors for office block
Ventilation, Power Supply, Fire equipment, Security control devices
Procurement of equipment including drawing of specifications of Transmitter,Speech input,Antenna,Tower,Feeder cable,Studio equipment,Power supply etc
Only companies registered under the Companys Act, 1956 are eligible for bidding and obtaining permission for FM radio channels. However, following types of companies are not eligible to apply:-
(a) Companies not incorporated in India.
(b) Any company controlled by a person convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude or money laundering/drug trafficking, terrorist activities or declared as insolvent or applied for being declared insolvent;
(c) A company which is an associate of or controlled by a Trust, Society or Non Profit Organization;
(d) A company controlled by or associated with a religious body;
(e) A company controlled by or associated with a political body;
(f) Any company which is functioning as an advertising agency or is an associate of an advertising agency or is controlled by an advertising agency or person associated with an advertising agency;
(g) Subsidiary company of any applicant in the same City;
(h) Holding company of any applicant in the same City;
(i) Companies with the Same Management as that of an applicant in the same City;
(j) More than one Inter-Connected Undertaking in the same City;
(k) A company that has been debarred from taking part in the bidding process or its holding company or subsidiary or a company with the same management or an interconnected undertaking ;
(l) The defaulters of conditions under Phase-I & Phase-II, who have contested the revocation of their Letters of Intent/License Agreements/ Bank Guarantees, thereby continue to be debarred from participating in any future bidding process.
Minimum Net Worth required as per City Category in each region:
D category Cities and cities with population upto 1 lakh : Rs. 50 Lakhs.
C category Cities : Rs. 1 Crore.
B category Cities : Rs. 2 Crore.
A category Cities : Rs. 3 Crore.
A+ category Cities : Rs. 3 Crore.
All categories of Cities in all regions : Rs. 10 Crore.