Communications Commission of India (CCI), to be established as a regulatory authority in convergence of it, communication and broadcasting, is likely to be vested with powers for granting licences which are now held by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The commission, which is to facilitate and regulate all matters relating to carriage and content of communications, would also determine and enforce license conditions and fees including usage of spectrum wherever required.
The draft convergence bill cleared by the group of ministers of it and telecom last month has sought views from the concerned industry and public before finalisation of the bill likely to be introduced in the forthcoming Budget session of Parliament.
The commission shall also have power to adjudicate matters or disputes arising between two or more service providers, between service provider and consumer, on issues relating to spectrum interference, interconnectivity, denial of fair access and practices restrictive of fair competition. Under the draft, the commission will have the same powers as vested in a civil court under the code of civil procedure.

On content, the commission is to specify programme codes and standards concerning interests of the country, fairness in news and other programmes, promotion of Indian culture and Indian values, decency in portrayal of women and morality.
On the formation of the commission, the draft bill has proposed that it be comprised of a chairperson, seven persons to be appointed as members and spectrum manager as ex-officio member. The chairperson and not less than five members shall be whole time members, the draft bill said adding that chairperson and members (except ex-officio member) shall be appointed by the central government by notification from various specialised fields like broadcasting, telecommunications, information technology, finance, management and law.

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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) could be entrusted with larger responsibility in the convergence of three areas.

Though the commission has regulatory powers in content and carriage, in the event of war or any calamity of national magnitude, the Centre may, by notification, take over control and management of any communication service or any network infrastructure, suspend its operations or entrust any government agency to manage it. The Centre can also request the commission to direct any license to stop any broadcasting service which is prejudicial to sovereignty of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, decency or morality or communal harmony. Bureau Report