Goverment Plans Law To Curb C-Band Dth Service

The government is planning to introduce legislation restricting the use of equipment through which C-band digitally compressed encrypted satellite channels can be accessed.

The information and broadcasting ministry has also agreed in principle to dilute the cross-media holding limit of 20 per cent, which was recommended in a cabinet note on the proposed broadcasting bill. The ministry has reportedly softened its stand after being petitioned by a delegation of media barons last month.

We cannot let foreign companies start a direct-to-home (DTH) service in India by circumventing the law, I&B minister C M Ibrahim told Business Standard after addressing a packed press conference here yesterday.

 

The minister emphasised that DTH services could not be started in any form in the country at this juncture. Those violating existing laws were liable for prosecution, he added.

On March 26, STAR TV had given a live demonstration of its proposed DTH service, during which it had demonstrated that such a venture can be started via C-band transponders too, instead of the KU-band transponders that are normally used.

However, while the size of a dish for KU-band service is very small, 3-feet antennae which are normally used by cable operators are required for C-band services.

Senior government officials are expected to meet on Monday to discuss restrictions on the use of equipment needed to access digital C-band service.