New Delhi, July 5: The Cable Networks Association (CNA) has suggested removal of the clause regarding auctioning of licences for local delivery services in the proposed Broadcasting Bill.This suggestion has come as a part of the comprehensive representation submitted to the joint parliamentary committee on the Bill. The removal of the clause has been demanded on the ground that there are already several cable network operators who have registered themselves under the Cable Networks Regulation Act, 1995.The draft Bill enjoins that the proposed Broadcasting Authority of India will be granting licences to the two highest bidders in a territory co-terminus with telecom circles for local delivery services.CNA has claimed that since the existing cable operators already have a ready subscriber base it will not be sensible to grant the licence to a new comer.Further, the association has claimed that since the existing cable operators have registered themselves under the existing act should be allowed to continue under their current licences.A similar line of arguement has been followed by some of the big cable network companies. Spokesman in Siti Cable said that the company feels claims of the cable operators registered under the prior legislation should be recognised by the joint select committee.The association has further urged that restricting a cable operator to a subscriber of 5000 is also not justified. In the memorandum, the association has asked a review of this aspect of the bill as well.CNA has also made certain suggestions to the committee to upgrade and consolidate the existing operators. They include making it mandatory for existing cable operators in each territory to organise themselves under one corporate entity.The association has also suggested that the Broadcast Authority of India should ensure minimum standards of service like carrier to noise ratio (CNR), composite second order (CSO) and composite triple beat (CTB).The association has, moreover, suggested that where it is technically and economically feasible, joint ventures between the corporate entities comprised of cable operators and the government departments like he DoT and MTNL should be encouraged.
