No progress in Tamil Nadu runs MSO Arasu application for DAS licence: MoS

[aravindan]

Friday, 28 November 2014 13:21

No progress in Tamil Nadu runs MSO Arasu application for DAS licence: MoS


There is no progress in the application of Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited for the MSO licence, if one goes by the reply given in Parliament by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore.

He said the matter is being examined in the light of the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding entry of government entities in the broadcasting and distribution activities. TRAI had in reports in 2008 and early this year reiterated that government entities and political parties should not be permitted to enter the broadcasting sector.

The Ministry had received a letter of 3 June 2014 from the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha for grant of multi system operator registration to Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited for operating in the Digital Addressable System (DAS) notified areas of Tamil Nadu.

Under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995, Cable Operators are required to get registrations from Post Offices. However, under the amendment in Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 2011, the multi system operators are required to get registration from the Ministry for operation in Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) notified areas.

Cable Quest

 

[HOUSE-MD]

Friday, 28 November 2014 13:21

No progress in Tamil Nadu runs MSO Arasu application for DAS licence: MoS


There is no progress in the application of Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited for the MSO licence, if one goes by the reply given in Parliament by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore.

He said the matter is being examined in the light of the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding entry of government entities in the broadcasting and distribution activities. TRAI had in reports in 2008 and early this year reiterated that government entities and political parties should not be permitted to enter the broadcasting sector.

The Ministry had received a letter of 3 June 2014 from the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha for grant of multi system operator registration to Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited for operating in the Digital Addressable System (DAS) notified areas of Tamil Nadu.

Under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995, Cable Operators are required to get registrations from Post Offices. However, under the amendment in Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 2011, the multi system operators are required to get registration from the Ministry for operation in Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) notified areas.

Cable Quest

This entire subject is highly confusing and questionable, if TN nationalises cable tv business legally with state powers then can they still deny them license or a permission?

So unless Arasu or TN Govt updates us on the same may be we can just think they don't care so they don't update?

 

[chermadurai]

Arasu cable update tender for chair

 

[HOUSE-MD]

Arasu cable update tender for chair

The North District has only Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram & Vellore. Does this mean Arasu would only serve these areas in North TN or Chennai already has a proper office so no need for chairs and tables?

It would be really helpful if Arasu can clarify its stand on extending its service in Chennai and surrounding areas.

 

[aravindan]

Recent News: Central, state govts not allowed to run TV channels: TRAI

In a development that will have immediate implications for various state governments including Tamil Nadu, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has held that central and state governments should not be allowed to enter the "business of broadcasting".

In recommendations that were submitted, TRAI said that not just governments but political bodies should also not be allowed to enter the broadcasting sector.

I&B secretary Uday Kumar Varma had on November 30th written to TRAI seeking recommendations on whether state or central governments or entities on which they have control could be allowed to enter broadcasting or distribution of channels.

In reply to Varma’s letter, TRAI’s secretary in-charge Sudhir Gupta said that central government ministries, departments, companies, joint ventures or entities which belong to or are funded by centre or state governments "should not be allowed to enter in to the business of broadcasting and or distribution of TV channels."

TRAI’s recommendations hold special implications for the TN government’s Arasu Cable TV Corporation Private Limited as it needs to obtain fresh permission from the I&B ministry after Digitisation of cable services is implemented in Chennai.

The Punjab government had approached the I&B ministry for setting up a TV station, while there were proposals from the Gujarat government and the HRD ministry to start channels.

The AP government had submitted a proposal for distribution of signals of Mana Tv through cable operators.

Source: News24 Online

 

[HOUSE-MD]

If Arasu can nationalise cable service as it already has 90% of the state under its control for the last 3 years then will these issues still hold weight?

Only Arasu can update us what they have planned to do as there is no signal that they would get a license nor a signal that they have Chennai on mind. Both I&B and Arasu seems to be super silent on this issue.

 

[aravindan]

If Arasu can nationalise cable service as it already has 90% of the state under its control for the last 3 years then will these issues still hold weight?

Only Arasu can update us what they have planned to do as there is no signal that they would get a license nor a signal that they have Chennai on mind. Both I&B and Arasu seems to be super silent on this issue.

I feel Arasu has several exceptions to receive DAS License.
One of the exception is

"Since TRAI have granted CAS License to Arasu cable in 2008, they are very much eligible to receive DAS License too (updated version of CAS License)"

Another one exception as you stated,
Keeping the benefit of 70+ Lakhs subscribers in mind, Arasu can be issued DAS License.
Same "public benefit" angle was used by SCV to get a stay at HC against their license cancellation by I&B.