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DTH TRIALS EXPECTED BEFORE
END FEBRUARY
The Indian Cab&Sat Reporter's email alert
last week talked about the I&B minister Pramod Mahajan's outline
of what could end up being DTH policy. The government has
added that there is likely to be a six-month lock-in period
before any service is allowed to start, once clearance is
given. This is to prevent any allegations that the DTH ban
is being lifted for Star TV from being hurled at the BJP-led
government. The I&B ministry is expected to present a note
on the DTH policy and the lifting of the DTH ban to the group
of ministers, which was formed to give recommendations on
DTH policy, before this weekend. The ministerial group is
slated to meet immediately after that.
However, hectic activity is on in Delhi with
almost all senior Star TV personnel from its Mumbai office
stationed there. Some 200 employees of ISkyB, who have been
put onto Channel V distribution in India over the past year,
are believed to have started working on the DTH project again.
Star TV has announced that its 50% partner in this venture
will be the Ispat group, which has a relationship with Hughes
for a basic telecom service.
Sources indicate that ISkyB is likely to
have a trial run of its DTH service before the end of this
month. This is to demonstrate the service's capability to
the government and rid it of its fears about DTH.
I&B minister Pramod Mahajan has proposed
the following for DTH television players:
DTH licence fees at Rs 1,000 million ($25
million). Revenues to be shared with the I&B ministry.
Uplinking from India not mandatory for DTH service providers.
DD channels carriage a must.
DTH settop boxes should be rented out to subscribers and not
sold.
Six month lock-in period for launch after clearances are given
Advertising and programming codes to be drawn up in Cable
TV act. The same will be applicable for DTH services.
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