NDS submission to TRAI: Tariffs and DTH services
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Blog Archives
CASBAA members urge “graduated response” to online piracy in Hong Kong
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Frustration at the Pace of Hong Kong’s Digital Copyright Reforms
CASBAA told a panel of the Hong Kong legislature that digital copyright reform was taking too long. The Association urged that Hong Kong move forward now with a system of “graduated response” to deal with the massive problem of streaming pirated pay-TV content. View the submission here.
APEC and ASEAN discuss problems with signal piracy
Officials from a host of governments which are members of the APEC and ASEAN groups met in December 2009 to take an in-depth look at the problem of signal piracy. The “Seminar on Signal Piracy, Regulation and Enforcement in a Converged World” heard speakers from governments and industry. Spokesmen from some governments (Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, USA) discussed legal approaches that had seen some success, while industry reps from markets around the Pacific Rim described the myriad ways that broadcast signals can be stolen and re-sold in an increasingly wired (and wireless) world. The seminar was supported by the US Patent and Trademark Office, with major input from CASBAA and our member companies.
See more information here.
CASBAA submits to TRAI on FDI and Channel Caps
CASBAA wrote to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, urging TRAI to maintain its support for equalizing foreign investment limits for all pay-TV operators at the 74% level already applicable to IPTV/telecom firms. CASBAA also suggested that an artificial “cap” on the number of Indian TV channels was a bad idea. See the whole submission here.
Singapore Debating Content Exclusivity
Singapore’s “Today” newspaper published an excellent summary of the debate underway about content exclusivity in the island republic, in the wake of signature of the contract for English football for 2010-2013. Acting Minister Lui Tuck Yew told Singapore’s Parliament that the state had traditionally ensured that essential services are available for a fair price, but Premier League football has not been defined as essential. “Although I’m sure some consumers may disagree,” said the Minister, “…essentially, it is entertainment”. Read the article here.
ACMA Responds; Stresses Protection for Satellite Services
The Australian Communications and Multimedia Authority (ACMA) published a detailed response to comments received on its plans to move forward with licensing broadband wireless systems in the extended C-band. ACMA stressed that its policy is to use urban exclusion zones to ensure that existing services, such as satellite services, are sufficiently protected from broadband wireless systems. It also underlined that it has not made any decisions with respect to requiring earth stations to locate in “satellite parks.” Download the ACMA response paper here. Further information can also be found on the ACMA website.
Taiwan NCC Proposes to End Must-Carry Rule
Radio Taiwan International – Terrestrial TV stations may soon disappear from some households in Taiwan due to a new move by the National Communications Commission (NCC). The NCC has decided to stop forcing cable TV companies to carry terrestrial channels. In the future, the NCC says, cable providers must negotiate with the terrestrial channels such as Formosa TV and Taiwan Television Company for their programming.
CASBAA Joins Taiwan Think-Tank Briefing for NCC on Digital, Advertising Issues
CASBAA participated in a briefing/dialogue for NCC members in Taipei on results of a policy study by The 21st Century Foundation. Hosted by the Cable Broadband Institute in Taiwan (CBIT), the briefing considered industry trends and the gradual digitalization of Taiwan’s cable system, and offered suggestion for facilitative policy approaches. One key issue is whether advertising will be allowed on digital premium channels. CASBAA members can find a brief English summary, and the full Chinese-language report by The 21st Century Foundation, here.
CASBAA expresses concern about protection of satellite earth stations from wireless interference
In a submission to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, CASBAA stressed the importance of protecting existing satellite receiving stations from interference from new broadband wireless (BWA) systems. CASBAA also urged that an embargo on new satellite dishes be lifted in rural areas where there is no market support for new BWA systems, and expressed concern that Australia might be mulling forced moves for satellite dishes into “satellite parks.”