The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on 20th July 2022, has issued a consultation paper on “Renewal of Multi-System Operators (MSOs) Registration. The Consultation paper aims to seek comments of the stakeholders on the relevant issues pertaining to renewal of MSO registration including the quantum of fee to be paid for such renewal.
As per the existing guidelines Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) grants registrations to operate as MSO under the Rule 11A-11F of The Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. The applicant deposits a processing fee of INR One lakh (Rs. 1,00,000/-) online on Bharatkosh portal, and then along with the fee receipt and other requisite documents applies online on Broadcast seva portal for registration as MSO. Post scrutiny of eligibility and documents, security clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is obtained before grant of the registration.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) issued the first new registrations to Multi System Operators (MSOs) during the digital addressable system (DAS) implementation in June 2012, which becomes due for renewal/extension in June 2022. The Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, however, do not mention provision about renewal of MSO registrations. In view of this, The Authority has received a reference from MIB seeking recommendations on the issues pertaining to MSO Renewal procedure.
This Consultation Paper has been prepared to seek the comments/views of the stakeholders on the issues related to renewal of MSO registration. It is also noted that at present there is no provision for renewal in the existing Guidelines for Registration for HITS services. TRAI is of the view that in order to maintain uniformity amongst different distribution platforms, the policy guidelines should have a provision for renewal for HITS services also. Accordingly, TRAI may initiate a separate consultation for renewal of HITS services, either on a reference from MIB regarding this or on suo motu basis, as may be necessary.
As per the extant provision under the CTN Rules, an MSO registration has a validity period of 10 years. There is no provision for an extension or a renewal, implying that at the end of the 10-year period of validity, the registration expires.
Further, it is important to note that such renewal/ re-registration process has to be a time-bound activity as it needs to be completed before the expiry of existing registration. This is necessary as the existing service providers have large number of consumers. Therefore, any registered MSO should strive to apply for renewal at least few months before the expiry of registration. Furthermore, in case an existing service provider has applied for renewal and the decision of renewal is pending, then in the interest of consumers, the service provisioning may be allowed to continue on provisional basis.
