MIB seeks TRAI views on reasonable restrictions on MSOs, LCOs

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has sought views of TRAI on measures to prevent monopolistic operations by MSOs and LCOs. The ministry has requested TRAI to provide its recommendations under Section 11 (1)

(a) on whether any restriction should be imposed on MSOs/LCOs to prevent monopolies/accumulation of interest in order to ensure fair competition, improved quality of service and equity. If restrictions are required, the ministry wants to know what kind of restrictions should be imposed and what should be the form, nature and scope of such restrictions.

It has been observed that the cable TV distribution is virtually monopolised in some states as the entire cable TV network is dominated by a single entity in that state. At present, there are no restrictions on the issue of accumulation of interest in terms of market share in a city, district, state or country by individual MSOs and LCOs in the cable sector. MSOs and LCOs are free to operate in any area(s) of their choice after obtaining registration from the ministry. It is felt that such monopolies may not be in the interest of consumers and may have serious implications in terms of competition, pricing and healthy growth of cable TV sector in that market.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/cable-news/item/282-mib-seeks-trai-views-on-reasonable-restrictions-on-msos-lcos.html