Although there are only 700 licensed operators, according to MoIC, the number of total operators is estimated to be over 1,000. In addition, the operators who have obtained the license are also broadcasting foreign channels without obtaining necessary permission for the down link.[break]
Going by the existing regulation, a cable operator should pay Rs 25,000 per channel and it has to be renewed every year.
Sushil Ojha, joint-secretary at MoIC said, “We have started the monitoring after increasing number of complaints from the side of operators as well as customers.” Ojha said that in last three days they have initiated action against three unauthorized operators.
According to officials at MoIC, the illegal operations has not only discouraged the licensed operators because of unhealthy competition but has also hit the revenue of the country. The operators are charging customers for the service but not paying any royalty to the governement.
Anup Nepal, under-secretary at the ministry said that the provision allows the MoIC to scrap the license (if any), impose penatly and imprisonment depending upon the nature of the crime. “For the first time, we are simply warning them and if the operator is non compliant we will starte taking action as per the regulation,” added Nepal.
The ministry has initiated the monitoring in the capital and will soon launch monitoring in other districts with the help of District Administrative Offices.
Nepal said the problem was not simply about the license and renewal but a number of operators were also broadcasting advertisements without permission. The recent amendment made by the government requires the operators to seek separate permission if they wish to include advertisement in their transmission.
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