The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Thursday proposed allowing 74 per cent foreign direct investment in mobile television services, and said telecom firms need not seek a fresh licence for such operations on their own network.

In draft recommendations on issues relating to mobile television services, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said existing telecom licencees would not require any further license for offering mobile television services on their own network using spectrum already allotted to them.

Mobile TV services, which will allow subscribers to watch television on their handsets, can be provided through two routes -- using the telecom network with spectrum already allotted, or using broadcasting method. The choice of technology should be left to the service provider with a rider that it should be based on specific standards, TRAI said, while inviting public comments on the draft by January 10.

A mobile TV licence may be made mandatory for existing telecom firms if they want to use broadcasting technologies for offering mobile television services. For this purpose, they would be permitted to participate in the bidding process. Companies can participate in bidding for both types of licences, but successful bidders should be granted either terrestrial licence or the satellite-based one. Both licenses should be valid for 10 years.

Allocation of spectrum to mobile TV licensees should be automatic for successful bidders and should not require any further selection process, Trai said.

Mobile TV licensees should not allow any broadcasting company or group of broadcasting companies to collectively own more than 20 per cent of the total paid up equity in its company at any time during the license period. Simultaneously, the mobile TV licensee should not hold more than 20 per cent equity share in a broadcasting company.