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Cable operators cite TRAI guidelines & threaten to drag it to court saying governments are forbidden from starting channels or cable networks
Taking a leaf out of the Tamil Nadu government's book, the state government is thinking of plunging into the cable television network business. However, while a formal announcement seems a long way off, the move has already run into opposition. Not surprisingly, it is cable operators who are against the government's move.
Bangalore already has the highest number — nine — of multi-system operators (MSOs) among cities across the country. Approximately 23 lakh cable homes are supplied digital channels by one of these nine operators, with Hathway having the most subscribers. There are around 2,700 cable TV operators and they get their supply from one of the nine MSOs. The state government now intends to be the 10th MSO in Bangalore.While government monopoly is a fear that is at the back of the minds of cable operators, at the moment they are citing guidelines imposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that forbid governments from starting a television channel or operating cable networks.
"The government is collecting opinions," said a senior IAS officer. "These are just preliminary meetings, but the idea has been floated. As it involves statutory enforcement, we are still far from anything concrete. The idea has been derived from Arasu cable network that the Tamil Nadu government runs." Cable operators, though, say the government will fail. "There is no way the government can start a cable television network," VS Patrick Raju, president of the Karnataka State Cable TV Operators' Association, said. "TRAI rules are very clear that governments cannot start television channels or cable networks. See what happened to Arasu network in TN. It has been denied digital addressable system (DAS) licence. If the government goes ahead, we will move court."
CHANNELS BEHIND MOVE?
Raju suspects some television channels to be behind the government's move. "Earlier, there were two or three news channels. There are so many now. They have to pay money to MSOs to carry their channel. Sometimes, it is as high as Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore. The revenue for channels is very fragmented since there are a dozen channels now."
Govt’s cable TV network could be stillborn - Bangalore Mirror
..
Taking a leaf out of the Tamil Nadu government's book, the state government is thinking of plunging into the cable television network business. However, while a formal announcement seems a long way off, the move has already run into opposition. Not surprisingly, it is cable operators who are against the government's move.
Bangalore already has the highest number — nine — of multi-system operators (MSOs) among cities across the country. Approximately 23 lakh cable homes are supplied digital channels by one of these nine operators, with Hathway having the most subscribers. There are around 2,700 cable TV operators and they get their supply from one of the nine MSOs. The state government now intends to be the 10th MSO in Bangalore.While government monopoly is a fear that is at the back of the minds of cable operators, at the moment they are citing guidelines imposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that forbid governments from starting a television channel or operating cable networks.
"The government is collecting opinions," said a senior IAS officer. "These are just preliminary meetings, but the idea has been floated. As it involves statutory enforcement, we are still far from anything concrete. The idea has been derived from Arasu cable network that the Tamil Nadu government runs." Cable operators, though, say the government will fail. "There is no way the government can start a cable television network," VS Patrick Raju, president of the Karnataka State Cable TV Operators' Association, said. "TRAI rules are very clear that governments cannot start television channels or cable networks. See what happened to Arasu network in TN. It has been denied digital addressable system (DAS) licence. If the government goes ahead, we will move court."
CHANNELS BEHIND MOVE?
Raju suspects some television channels to be behind the government's move. "Earlier, there were two or three news channels. There are so many now. They have to pay money to MSOs to carry their channel. Sometimes, it is as high as Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore. The revenue for channels is very fragmented since there are a dozen channels now."
Govt’s cable TV network could be stillborn - Bangalore Mirror
..
