BANGLADESH B’CAST & CABLE TV SERVICES SEVERELY DISRUPTED BY INTERFERENCE
Satellite, broadcasting and cable TV providers meet with government to propose solution

Dhaka, May 24, 2012 – Bangladesh’s broadcasting and cable and satellite TV operators, in co-ordination with the international satellite communications industry, have called for the Government of Bangladesh to take rapid action to halt the disruption of TV services suffered by millions of Bangladeshis.

The industry bodies said the technical interference is being caused by wireless broadband operators using newly introduced “WiMAX” technology.

The Bangladeshi and international industry organizations — the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), the Global VSAT Forum (GVF), and the regionally-based Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) — met last week in Dhaka. The organizations are in co-ordination with the World Broadcasting Unions – International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG).

The industry groups said they are deeply concerned that wireless bandwidth used to distribute television services across the country and the rest of the region in the 3.5 GHz range — and now shared in Bangladesh with recently launched WiMAX operators — could close down hundreds of TV channels across the country.

“For instance, the largely unanticipated implications of the introduction of WiMAX services at 3.5 GHz is causing widespread transmission failures throughout the country and can be especially serious for news broadcasters which use the lower end of the Standard C-band spectrum” said Gregg Daffner, Chairman of CASBAA’s Wireless Action Group.

“However, there is a solution to this very serious problem,” said David Hartshorn, Secretary General of GVF. “The interfering WiMAX services can use other, less crowded frequencies.”

In other markets, WiMAX operators have successfully migrated from the 3.5GHz band, “so we know we can resolve the crisis in Bangladesh,” said Hartshorn.

The meeting was hosted in Dhaka by APT Satellite, a Hong Kong-based satellite operator, which has conducted extensive field tests to confirm that the source of the interference is from WiMAX operators. APT now provides satellite capacity to most of the TV channels in Bangladesh.

“APT Satellite Company is committed to helping our customers and the Bangladesh government to resolve this issue, so that interference-free broadcast and cable services can be restored,” said Huang Baozhong, Vice President of APT Satellite.

The meeting was endorsed by CASBAA and the GVF who exchanged views and information with Bangladeshi industry and government officials, including representatives of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

# # #

According to a joint GVF-CASBAA paper released during the meeting, the WiMAX interference problem has been experienced in numerous countries throughout the world, where the most effective solution applied by national administrations has been to remove WiMAX services from C-band altogether. Click here to read the full GVF-CASBAA position paper, as endorsed by the World Broadcasting Unions – International Satellite Operations Group: “Eliminating WiMAX Interference.”

ABOUT CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia for the past two decades. Spanning 18 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 420 million connections through a footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content through industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

ABOUT GVF – www.GVF.org

Headquartered in London and with a regional office in Washington, D.C., GVF is a non-profit satellite communications trade association that comprises more than 200 companies from every major region of the world and from all sectors of the industry. The organisation’s mission is to facilitate improved access to satellite communications through effective regulatory, policy and spectrum-management approaches. The organisation also provides training, capacity building, type approvals, network validation, disaster preparedness, and other services for the international satellite communications community.

CONTACTS:

CASBAA
Adela Chen/Desmond Chung
Communications
Tel: +852 2854 9913
Fax: +852 2854 9530
Email: pr@casbaa.com

GVF
David Hartshorn
Secretary General
Tel: +1 202 390 1885
Email: david.hartshorn@gvf.org

Hong Kong, 11 May 2012 – CASBAA this week confirmed two new Corporate Memberships of the Association, law firm Olswang Asia in Singapore and China-based CA vendor SMIT.

With a focus on its Technology, Media and Telecoms practice, Singapore-based Olswang Asia is a full service law firm providing corporate, commercial, IP and dispute resolution advice.

http://www.olswang.com/around-the-world/offices/singapore/

SMIT (Shenzhen State Micro Technology) enables secure digital content delivery for the pay-TV industry allowing authorized subscribers access to protected content on any device, any place, anytime. Specialising in the design and development of conditional access modules (CAMs), SMIT enables delivery of premium content to digital TVs without the need for a set-top-box (STB).

http://www.smit.com.cn/index.php?lang=en

[SatNews] Imagine the thought of having to pay taxes retroactive to 1976!

A host of international business associations from a wide range of India’s major trading partner and investment partner countries have urged the Indian government to abandon to impose sweeping retroactive taxation affecting a large number of industries. CASBAA has taken up advocacy on behalf of the international satellite industry.

Both satellite operators and their Indian customers and consumers would suffer from the planned imposition of new tax rules. In its letter to the Indian Finance Ministry, CASBAA noted:

as far as the satellite industry is concerned – retroactivity could not be justified on the basis that the government was merely “clarifying” existing tax law.

Said CASBAA: “certain concepts that are fundamental to satellite services (i.e. satellite, up-linking, amplification, conversion for down-linking of any signal)…were not prevalent in India in 1976 and thus, it is inconceivable to think that a concept that did not exist in 1976 was intended to have been present in the legislation.”

Source: http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=901104838

[SatNews] Imagine the thought of having to pay taxes retroactive to 1976!

A host of international business associations from a wide range of India’s major trading partner and investment partner countries have urged the Indian government to abandon to impose sweeping retroactive taxation affecting a large number of industries. CASBAA has taken up advocacy on behalf of the international satellite industry.

Both satellite operators and their Indian customers and consumers would suffer from the planned imposition of new tax rules. In its letter to the Indian Finance Ministry, CASBAA noted:

as far as the satellite industry is concerned – retroactivity could not be justified on the basis that the government was merely “clarifying” existing tax law.

Said CASBAA: “certain concepts that are fundamental to satellite services (i.e. satellite, up-linking, amplification, conversion for down-linking of any signal)…were not prevalent in India in 1976 and thus, it is inconceivable to think that a concept that did not exist in 1976 was intended to have been present in the legislation.”

Source: http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=901104838

Hong Kong, 26 April 2012 – The power of multichannel TV continues to resonate throughout the Asia Pacific. Attracting over 130 representatives from advertising agencies, clients and networks, CASBAA’s TV Upfronts – The Kuala Lumpur Screenings on April 19th was the most recent stopover for the CASBAA Advertising roadshow.

Building on the success of recent events in Singapore and Hong Kong, the KL Screenings offered a platform for networks to promote the power of advertising on multichannel TV in Malaysia.

“While TV Upfronts are traditionally held by individual broadcasters, CASBAA has brought together the biggest international networks and platforms to illustrate the power of multichannel TV advertising to media buyers and clients with a united front,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA.

Participants in the showcase included local platform Astro along with BBC, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, FOX One Stop Media, the History channel, SPE Networks-Asia and Universal Networks International who unveiled up-coming programming to illustrate the unique appeal of multichannel TV to targeted markets and demographics. Agency participants included Carat, GroupM, Mindshare, OMD, Maxus, UM and Zenith Malaysia, while participating clients included Abbott, Chevron, Citibank, L’Oreal, Malayan Banking and Proton Holdings.

A significant force in the region, multichannel-TV channels in Malaysia tallied an estimated US$394 million in 2010 in advertising and subscription revenues – experiencing a double digit annual increase of 13.5% from 2009.

With new platform and content offerings driving competition, multichannel TV now accounts for nearly 3.25 million non-terrestrial TV connections, or 53% of all TV homes in Malaysia.

Spurred by a positive media environment, multichannel TV has benefitted from an effective regulatory body in the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and capable copyright and legal protection of content.

“With strong growth opportunities, Malaysia is, naturally, a key stop for CASBAA as we continue to coordinate the TV Upfronts Screenings across the region,” added Twiston Davies.

###

About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia for the past two decades. Spanning 18 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 420 million connections through a footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content through industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

—

For enquiries, please contact:

Desmond Chung, PR & Communications Manager, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

Adela Chen, Director, Marketing & Communications, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1711
Email: adela@casbaa.com

Hong Kong, 26 April 2012 – The power of multichannel TV continues to resonate throughout the Asia Pacific. Attracting over 130 representatives from advertising agencies, clients and networks, CASBAA’s TV Upfronts – The Kuala Lumpur Screenings on April 19th was the most recent stopover for the CASBAA Advertising roadshow.

Building on the success of recent events in Singapore and Hong Kong, the KL Screenings offered a platform for networks to promote the power of advertising on multichannel TV in Malaysia.

“While TV Upfronts are traditionally held by individual broadcasters, CASBAA has brought together the biggest international networks and platforms to illustrate the power of multichannel TV advertising to media buyers and clients with a united front,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA.

Participants in the showcase included local platform Astro along with BBC, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, FOX One Stop Media, the History channel, SPE Networks-Asia and Universal Networks International who unveiled up-coming programming to illustrate the unique appeal of multichannel TV to targeted markets and demographics. Agency participants included Carat, GroupM, Mindshare, OMD, Maxus, UM and Zenith Malaysia, while participating clients included Abbott, Chevron, Citibank, L’Oreal, Malayan Banking and Proton Holdings.

A significant force in the region, multichannel-TV channels in Malaysia tallied an estimated US$394 million in 2010 in advertising and subscription revenues – experiencing a double digit annual increase of 13.5% from 2009.

With new platform and content offerings driving competition, multichannel TV now accounts for nearly 3.25 million non-terrestrial TV connections, or 53% of all TV homes in Malaysia.

Spurred by a positive media environment, multichannel TV has benefitted from an effective regulatory body in the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and capable copyright and legal protection of content.

“With strong growth opportunities, Malaysia is, naturally, a key stop for CASBAA as we continue to coordinate the TV Upfronts Screenings across the region,” added Twiston Davies.

###

About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia for the past two decades. Spanning 18 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 420 million connections through a footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content through industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

—

For enquiries, please contact:

Desmond Chung, PR & Communications Manager, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

Adela Chen, Director, Marketing & Communications, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1711
Email: adela@casbaa.com

April 11, 2012 – A host of international business associations from a wide range of India’s major trading partner and investment partner countries have urged the Indian government to abandon to impose sweeping retroactive taxation affecting a large number of industries. CASBAA has taken up advocacy on behalf of the international satellite industry. Both satellite operators and their Indian customers and consumers would suffer from the planned imposition of new tax rules. In its letter to the Indian Finance Ministry, CASBAA noted – as far as the satellite industry is concerned – retroactivity could not be justified on the basis that the government was merely “clarifying” existing tax law. Said CASBAA: “certain concepts that are fundamental to satellite services (i.e. satellite, up-linking, amplification, conversion for down-linking of any signal)…were not prevalent in India in 1976 and thus, it is inconceivable to think that a concept that did not exist in 1976 was intended to have been present in the legislation.”

To view articles on this issue, please visit:

http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/04/10/new-sat-tax-could-cripple-indian-broadcasting/

http://www.spacenews.com/policy/120405-sat-operators-protest-indian-tax.html

For CASBAA Members Only: Copies of the letters to the Finance Minister by CASBAA, and by the international business associations, can be found on thispage.

April 11, 2012 – A host of international business associations from a wide range of India’s major trading partner and investment partner countries have urged the Indian government to abandon to impose sweeping retroactive taxation affecting a large number of industries. CASBAA has taken up advocacy on behalf of the international satellite industry. Both satellite operators and their Indian customers and consumers would suffer from the planned imposition of new tax rules. In its letter to the Indian Finance Ministry, CASBAA noted – as far as the satellite industry is concerned – retroactivity could not be justified on the basis that the government was merely “clarifying” existing tax law. Said CASBAA: “certain concepts that are fundamental to satellite services (i.e. satellite, up-linking, amplification, conversion for down-linking of any signal)…were not prevalent in India in 1976 and thus, it is inconceivable to think that a concept that did not exist in 1976 was intended to have been present in the legislation.”

To view articles on this issue, please visit:

http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/04/10/new-sat-tax-could-cripple-indian-broadcasting/

http://www.spacenews.com/policy/120405-sat-operators-protest-indian-tax.html

For CASBAA Members Only: Copies of the letters to the Finance Minister by CASBAA, and by the international business associations, can be found on this page.

Hong Kong, 3 April 2012 – In recognition of its remit to increase the diversity of video distribution, CASBAA added seven companies to its membership roll in Q1 2012 as well as recording an upgrade to Patron Status.

Dutch Broadcast Solutions Specilist Exset joined as a Patron Member along with New Corporate Members including Japanese multichannel operator Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM), US satellite manufacturer Orbital Science Corporation and broadcaster Setanta Sports and a Fashion One TV upgrade to Patron Membership.

Further additions of India-based global communications provider Tata Communications, publishing and media company Haymarket Media Group and Swedish software systems supplier Accedo reflect CASBAA’s growing effectiveness as an industry representative within Asia and worldwide.

“While we are firmly rooted in the Asia Pacific, it is highly encouraging to see so many non-domestic companies recognizing the importance of the region,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA.

Exset is a Global Broadcast Technology and Solutions provider based in Holland with offices in the UK, Estonia and New Delhi, delivering  digital monetization and security solutions  to the global television industry. Exset’s philosphy extends to localization and partnerships reflecting social and economic factors as it works closely with customers to deliver tailored solutions through the most up to date technologies while maximizing returns on investment.

J:COM is Japan’s largest MSO providing cable television, high speed Internet access and telephony to customers throughout Japan.

Orbital is a developer and manufacturer of smaller space and launch systems, pioneering new classes of rockets, satellites and other space-based technologies.

Setanta Sports operates nine sports channels in 26 countries to over 30 million households. Specialising in rugby content in eight Asian markets, on ten platforms Setanta also distributes other sports genres.

Fashion One TV is a fashion and entertainment network broadcasting in 198 countries through free-to-air and direct-to-home satellites with over 300 new shows and 600 new clips each season.

Tata Communications delivers solutions to multi-national enterprises, service providers and Indian customers by leveraging its advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network.

Originally launched as a publishing and media company, Haymarket Media Group’s services now encompass business media, conferences, consumer media, customer media, exhibitions, forums and awards ceremonies.

As an enabler of Smart TV and IPTV applications, Accedo provides platforms, applications, tools and services to TV operators and other media companies, as well as to consumer electronics manufacturers as they deliver next-generation TV experience.

“Our newest members illustrate the global nature of multichannel TV and reinforce CASBAA’s commitment to promote the industry in both the local and global arena,” added Twiston Davies.

# # #

About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia for the past two decades. Spanning 17 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 420 million connections through a footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content through industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

—

For enquiries, please contact:

Desmond Chung, PR & Communications Manager, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

Adela Chen, Director, Marketing & Communications, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1711
Email: adela@casbaa.com

Hong Kong, 3 April 2012 – In recognition of its remit to increase the diversity of video distribution, CASBAA added seven companies to its membership roll in Q1 2012 as well as recording an upgrade to Patron Status.

Dutch Broadcast Solutions Specilist Exset joined as a Patron Member along with New Corporate Members including Japanese multichannel operator Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM), US satellite manufacturer Orbital Science Corporation and broadcaster Setanta Sports and a Fashion One TV upgrade to Patron Membership.

Further additions of India-based global communications provider Tata Communications, publishing and media company Haymarket Media Group and Swedish software systems supplier Accedo reflect CASBAA’s growing effectiveness as an industry representative within Asia and worldwide.

“While we are firmly rooted in the Asia Pacific, it is highly encouraging to see so many non-domestic companies recognizing the importance of the region,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA.

Exset is a Global Broadcast Technology and Solutions provider based in Holland with offices in the UK, Estonia and New Delhi, delivering  digital monetization and security solutions  to the global television industry. Exset’s philosphy extends to localization and partnerships reflecting social and economic factors as it works closely with customers to deliver tailored solutions through the most up to date technologies while maximizing returns on investment.

J:COM is Japan’s largest MSO providing cable television, high speed Internet access and telephony to customers throughout Japan.

Orbital is a developer and manufacturer of smaller space and launch systems, pioneering new classes of rockets, satellites and other space-based technologies.

Setanta Sports operates nine sports channels in 26 countries to over 30 million households. Specialising in rugby content in eight Asian markets, on ten platforms Setanta also distributes other sports genres.

Fashion One TV is a fashion and entertainment network broadcasting in 198 countries through free-to-air and direct-to-home satellites with over 300 new shows and 600 new clips each season.

Tata Communications delivers solutions to multi-national enterprises, service providers and Indian customers by leveraging its advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network.

Originally launched as a publishing and media company, Haymarket Media Group’s services now encompass business media, conferences, consumer media, customer media, exhibitions, forums and awards ceremonies.

As an enabler of Smart TV and IPTV applications, Accedo provides platforms, applications, tools and services to TV operators and other media companies, as well as to consumer electronics manufacturers as they deliver next-generation TV experience.

“Our newest members illustrate the global nature of multichannel TV and reinforce CASBAA’s commitment to promote the industry in both the local and global arena,” added Twiston Davies.

# # #

About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia for the past two decades. Spanning 17 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 420 million connections through a footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content through industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

—

For enquiries, please contact:

Desmond Chung, PR & Communications Manager, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

Adela Chen, Director, Marketing & Communications, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1711
Email: adela@casbaa.com