MIB amends DTH guidelines effective immediately requiring existing licensees to apply fresh for a license to provide DTH services

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) earlier today officially issued the revised guidelines for procuring a license for providing Direct-To-Home (DTH) broadcasting services in India effective immediately. The existing licensees in the country are now required to apply afresh to get a license for providing DTH services in India.

The issue of a fresh license will however be subject to the existing licensees clearing all dues and fulfilling all obligations under the terms and conditions of the existing license as well as those arising out of legal cases pending before the various Courts of Law.

The license as notified earlier will be valid for a period of 20 years from the date of issue of wireless operational license by Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of Ministry of Communications. The license may however be renewed for 10 years at a time. The Ministry will charge no license fee from the DTH operators holding licenses on the date of notification of these guidelines.

DTH licensees will be required to submit bank guarantee from any scheduled bank to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) for an amount of Rs 5 crores for the first two quarters.