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Policy Bars Karnataka's Plan to Enter Cable Services.
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BANGALORE: The state government’s plan of entering the cable television network services, citing high tariff charged by private cable TV operators, may come to a naught.
The Central policy does not allow state governments or any other Central or state bodies to broadcast or enter into distribution of cable TV channels through regulated and licensed technologies like terrestrial, cable or satellite systems.
Time and again, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has rejected requests for permission to carry out broadcasting and distribution activities by several state governments namely Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
It had also denied permission to the HRD Ministry to telecast educational content under the National Mission on Education.
Further, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended to MIB that the entry of state governments in broadcasting or distribution of TV channels should not be allowed.
According to TRAI: “It would not be fit for state governments to enter into cable TV operations as a competitive service provider. In fact, in all developed democratic countries, governments are explicitly debarred from entering into broadcasting systems as it is inconsistent with the basic principles of democracy.”
Minister for Information Roshan Baig’s contention that the Tamil Nadu government-owned Arasu Cable TV network is providing cable TV services is true, but it is yet to get the Digital Addressable System (DAS) licence from MIB.
A cable TV industry expert said: “This (Tamil Nadu’s cable TV services) is illegal and against the existing policy. They are providing 100 channels, charging `70 per month. Hence, the TN government has now requested the Modi government to review the existing policy as the status of the Arasu cable licence has been pending before the MIB for a long time.” An MIB source said that according to the DAS rules, each MSO (multi-system operator) should provide 100 channels for `100 per month.
The state government is, in fact, the regulator and can take action against MSOs who are charging more, like Maharashtra.
The source said instead of controlling the MSOs to regulate the tariff structure as empowered by the Centre, the state government is trying to enter the industry that is controlled by political parties, national, regional and foreign channels and of course, the mafia.
The ball is in the state government’s court to enforce a pricing policy for the cable TV industry, the source added.
“This industry is so volatile and unregulated that each operator may even cut the cables of the other during infighting. Now when national MSOs who control cable TV distribution are finding it difficult to manage, how will the state government deal with both national and international private TV channels? Further, is it possible to enter into an agreement with these providers or give into the demands of pay channels?” the MIB source asked.
MIB Forms Panel
In 2013, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting set up an inter-ministerial committee to look into TRAI recommendations on the licensing issue. If this committee has sought the opinion of all the stakeholders, TRAI too has sought and solicited written comments from all the stakeholders of the industry on many issues affecting the broadcasting industry. The ministerial committee’s final report is yet to be submitted.
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Ref: Policy Bars Karnataka's Plan to Enter Cable Services -The New Indian Express
=======================================
BANGALORE: The state government’s plan of entering the cable television network services, citing high tariff charged by private cable TV operators, may come to a naught.
The Central policy does not allow state governments or any other Central or state bodies to broadcast or enter into distribution of cable TV channels through regulated and licensed technologies like terrestrial, cable or satellite systems.
Time and again, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has rejected requests for permission to carry out broadcasting and distribution activities by several state governments namely Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
It had also denied permission to the HRD Ministry to telecast educational content under the National Mission on Education.
Further, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended to MIB that the entry of state governments in broadcasting or distribution of TV channels should not be allowed.
According to TRAI: “It would not be fit for state governments to enter into cable TV operations as a competitive service provider. In fact, in all developed democratic countries, governments are explicitly debarred from entering into broadcasting systems as it is inconsistent with the basic principles of democracy.”
Minister for Information Roshan Baig’s contention that the Tamil Nadu government-owned Arasu Cable TV network is providing cable TV services is true, but it is yet to get the Digital Addressable System (DAS) licence from MIB.
A cable TV industry expert said: “This (Tamil Nadu’s cable TV services) is illegal and against the existing policy. They are providing 100 channels, charging `70 per month. Hence, the TN government has now requested the Modi government to review the existing policy as the status of the Arasu cable licence has been pending before the MIB for a long time.” An MIB source said that according to the DAS rules, each MSO (multi-system operator) should provide 100 channels for `100 per month.
The state government is, in fact, the regulator and can take action against MSOs who are charging more, like Maharashtra.
The source said instead of controlling the MSOs to regulate the tariff structure as empowered by the Centre, the state government is trying to enter the industry that is controlled by political parties, national, regional and foreign channels and of course, the mafia.
The ball is in the state government’s court to enforce a pricing policy for the cable TV industry, the source added.
“This industry is so volatile and unregulated that each operator may even cut the cables of the other during infighting. Now when national MSOs who control cable TV distribution are finding it difficult to manage, how will the state government deal with both national and international private TV channels? Further, is it possible to enter into an agreement with these providers or give into the demands of pay channels?” the MIB source asked.
MIB Forms Panel
In 2013, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting set up an inter-ministerial committee to look into TRAI recommendations on the licensing issue. If this committee has sought the opinion of all the stakeholders, TRAI too has sought and solicited written comments from all the stakeholders of the industry on many issues affecting the broadcasting industry. The ministerial committee’s final report is yet to be submitted.
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Ref: Policy Bars Karnataka's Plan to Enter Cable Services -The New Indian Express
