The government said on Tuesday it has started the process of reviewing foreign direct investment norms for various segments within the broadcasting sector following recommendations of regulatory body Trai.

In a written reply to a query in Lok Sabha, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which also monitors the broadcasting sector, has recommended a review of the FDI policy in a holistic manner.

The idea was to bring about greater consistency in the rules for various segments within the broadcasting sector and also in view of the likely convergence in future between telecommunication and broadcasting sectors, he added.

Based on Trai's recommendations, the government has initiated reviewing the existing FDI norms in consultation with the concerned ministries, he said. Currently, FDI up to only 20 per cent is allowed in FM radio and direct-to-home  services.

The limit of FDI in television news broadcasting segment is 26 per cent, in cable services 49 per cent and in telecom sector 74 per cent.

However, in case of Internet service providers, and non-news television broadcasters 100 per cent FDI is allowed. To another query, Dasmunsi said the government has signed agreements with private broadcasters for operationalisation of 122 FM radio channels by March 2008.

Besides, government has invited tenders for allotment of 97 vacant channels, he said. Dasmunsi also said the government plans to bring out policy guidelines to regulate the content shown by service providers on Internet Protocol Television.