Question : VIOLATION OF DTH GUIDELINES

(a) whether there are any restrictions in the Direct to Home (DTH) guidelines on cross holding in a company licensed to provide DTH service;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the names of companies found to be violating such guidelines;

(c) whether violation of DTH license conditions in any manner including cross holding by any DTH Service provider makes it liable for imposition of penalty including revocation of licence;

(d) if so, whether it has to come to the notice of the Government that many companies are violating the licence conditions;

(e) if so, the details thereof indicating the nature of violation, company-wise; and

(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to check such violations?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI ANAND SHARMA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir.The eligibility conditions prescribed under guidelines for DTH service and also the schedule to the License agreement forming terms and conditions of license have provided that Broadcasting Companies and/or Cable Network Companies shall not be eligible to collectively own more than 20% of the total equity of applicant company at any time during the license period. Similarly the applicant company not to have more than 20% equity share in the broadcasting and/or cable network company.The DTH licensee M/s Bharati Telemedia Ltd. has been found to be violating this provision.

(c): Yes,Sir.

(d) & (e): Yes,Sir. M/s Bharti Telemedia Ltd. has been warned of complying with terms & conditions of License agreement.Further Ministry has been receiving complaint about violation of interoperability provisions under Article 7 of the License Agreement by DTH licensees.

(f): The Government has entrusted Bureau of Indian Standards BIS to specify technical details for Set Top Boxes (STBs) to be used by DTH service provider in order to ensure that there is effective technical interoperability between various service providers.