Zee all set to launch country's first DTH platform

[icernet-admin at listserv.cddc.vt.edu]

 The formalities for setting up the country's first Direct-To-Home (DTH)
platform next month were completed with the signing of the final license
document by the ZEE'S ASC Enterprises Limited with the Information and
Broadcasting Ministry. Under DTH, which will mean installation of a small
dish antennae outside every subscriber's home and a set top box, any
subscriber can receive as many as 200 channels through Ku band without
passing through an intermediary such as a cable operator. The approval
permitting the introduction of this technology in the country had been given
by the Cabinet almost three years ago and there are two other contenders in
the field - Star TV whose project is stuck in a Court Case in Gwalior and
Doordarshan which hopes to launch its platform early next year. 

In a major step towards effective convergence of technologies, the
government had, in November 2000, lifted the ban on setting up of DTH
platforms on Ku Bandwidth. The lifting of the ban on the Ku Bandwidth
permitted the use of frequency bands above 4800 MHz not only for DTH but
also other sectors like telecom and the information technology sector, with
the country proceeding fast towards convergence of infotech, communications
and entertaiment (ICE).

According to the guidelines issued by the government in January 2001, the
foreign equity holding including FDI, non-resident Indians, overseas
corporate bodies and FII, investment should not exceed 49 per cent. Foreign
direct investment was capped at 20 per cent. Broadcasting companies or cable
network companies are not eligible to collectively own more than 20 per cent
of the total equity of the applicant company, which itself must not have
over 20 per cent equity share in a broadcasting or cable network company.

It was also stipulated that management control of the applicant company must
rest with the Indian partner, with majority representatives on the board and
the chief executive being a resident Indian. Furthermore, it was stipulated
that the signals would be mandatorily updated from Indian earth stations.
The licensee has to pay an annual fee equivalent to 10 per cent of its gross
revenue as reflected in the audited accounts in the company for that
particular financial year. The license will be valid for 10 years from the
date of issue.

Source:
http://sify.com/news/othernews/fullstory.php?id=13253451