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Tag: AIDCF

  • AIDCF submits recommendations to I&B; asks for removal of 8% AGR on cable broadband

    AIDCF submits recommendations to I&B; asks for removal of 8% AGR on cable broadband

    MUMBAI: Broadband is the way forward for multi system operators (MSOs) who are looking at improving their average revenue per user (ARPU). Understanding the pain areas of the operators who are looking at expanding their broadband base, the newly formed MSO association- All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), recently met the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) on the issue of 8 per cent AGR being charged on MSOs offering broadband services.

     

    During the meeting a five point recommendation was submitted to the Ministry, which later will be submitted to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The recommendation reads:

     

    1)      Remove the 8 per cent AGR applicable for MSOs who are offering broadband services.

     

    2)      It has requested the Government to support MSOs for right of way and protection of infrastructure laid on ground. MSOs offering broadband services feel that the pole charges levied by some states are huge. Also, to set up the broadband service, expensive equipment needs to be installed on streets and poles. According to AIDCF, as of now, there are no rules per se, to protect the equipment which costs anywhere between Rs 7000 to Rs 10,000. The association, through the recommendation, is asking the Government to protect the expensive equipment, so that the MSOs can start installing the infrastructure.

     

    3)      The association has asked the Government to rationalise import duties on network equipment. While the Government has plans for ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India’, there are still certain infrastructure related products which are not being manufactured in the country, and hence have to be imported. The association has thus asked the Government to rationalise the import duties being charged on these goods, until someone from the country starts manufacturing them.

     

    4)      It has requested the Government, like in the case of Telecom, to provide infrastructure status to the cable broadband network. With the infrastructure status, MSOs will become eligible for easy bank financing, in addition to overseas fund raising to expand their broadband base.

               

    5)      Allow use of Universal Service Obligation (USO) fund for wireline network rollout in the country.

     

  • All India Digital Cable Federation condemns ET hike in Delhi

    All India Digital Cable Federation condemns ET hike in Delhi

    MUMBAI: The Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party is currently dealing with a lot of criticism, especially from the cable and direct to home (DTH) sector. This, after it presented its budget for the national capital on 25 June. Of the many decisions, the government has decided to increase the entertainment tax on cable and DTH services from the current Rs 20 to Rs 40. While it is the consumers who have to bear the burden of the increased taxes, both the cable operators and DTH players have come out heavily on this decision.

     

    The newly formed All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) through a statement said, “The Delhi government’s recent announcement proposing to double the entertainment tax on the cable TV and DTH services in the budget is an added burden on the common man whose main source of entertainment is television. Aam Aadmi Party, which had promised to control the prices by reducing electricity and water charges is negating by the proposed hike. Due to this, the common man will have to bear the brunt of yet again, an additional tax, as cable TV operators will have no choice but to pass on this hike to the common man.”

     

    The statement further said, “It should be noted that cable TV is the biggest medium for news, entertainment and education. It should also be noted that the common man is already burdened by an increase in service tax from June 2015. The said proposal of Delhi government is like giving a piece of bread with right hand and snatching back the same from left hand. All India Digital Cable Federation strictly condemns the proposed hike.”

     

    In an earlier statement, even the DTH Operators Association of India, a body consisting of all private DTH players had condemned the hike. Association president and Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera had then said, “The recent announcement of doubling of entertainment tax on cable TV and DTH services made by the Aam Admi Party government seems unfair and illogical. DTH as a platform is considered as critical to citizen’s right to information, news, education and entertainment. The sector is already saddled with high tax, where 33 per cent of revenues are taxed between the Centre and State. DTH operators that comprises Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV, Videocon d2h, Sun Direct and Reliance Big TV, will have no choice but to hike their tariffs in Delhi to accommodate this hike in entertainment tax and the load will finally fall on the customer. By dropping electricity prices on the one hand and increasing entertainment tax on DTH on the other, does not seem like a move in favour of the aam aadmi! Is this how we plan to achieve a balance budget and reduce fiscal deficit?”

  • AIDCF to hold a meeting to discuss Star’s RIO deal implementation

    AIDCF to hold a meeting to discuss Star’s RIO deal implementation

    MUMBAI: Just 10 days after its formation, the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) under the presidentship of Siti Cable CEO VD Wadhwa is all set meet for the second time on 31 October in New Delhi. The meeting will be attended by the leading multi system operators (MSOs) and has a set agenda for the day.

     

    The meeting which is being held just a day after the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) accepted Star India’s 10 November deadline for implementation of the RIO deal by MSOs is not co-incidental.

     

    “The platform operators are meeting in Delhi in order to decide on the modus operandi for implementation of the RIO deal, the deadline for which is 10 November,” says a MSO, who is likely to be a participant of the meeting.

     

    The TDSAT in its order has asked the MSOs to sign the RIO deals with Star before 10 November, failing which the broadcaster can disconnect its signals.

     

    The meeting is likely to be attended by Manthan, Siti Cable, GTPL, Hathway among others.

     

  • Siti Cable CEO VD Wadhwa appointed as president of the new All India Digital Cable Federation

    Siti Cable CEO VD Wadhwa appointed as president of the new All India Digital Cable Federation

    MUMBAI: In a significant move to organise the digital cable industry for the overall benefit of all stakeholders and to facilitate and further create momentum for digitisation for phase III and IV, major Indian multi system operators (MSOs) have come together under the aegis of the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF).

     

    The newly formed federation held its first meeting on 15 October 2014 in New Delhi, which  was attended by all the leading MSOs i.e. Hathway, Den Network, Siti Cable, In Cable, Digi Cable, Fastway, GTPL, ICNCL and Manthan.  With the formation of new Digital Cable Federation, the earlier forum of MSO Alliance has been dissolved.

     

    The members have unanimously elected SITI Cable executive director and CEO VD Wadhwa as the president of the federation (AIDCF) for an initial term of two years.

     

    The federation will work towards the overall growth of this sector and create environment for not only complete digitisation of cable TV under regulatory guidelines but also will deliver the benefits of digital services including broadband and other value added services to the people of India thus fulfilling the dream of ‘True Digital India.’

     

    AIDCF will be the official voice for the Indian digital cable TV industry and will interact with ministries, policy makers, regulators, financial institutions and technical bodies. It will also provide a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas between these bodies and the service providers, who share a common interest in the development of digital cable TV in the country.

     

    It will collaborate with other industry associations such as IBF, CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM association etc., with the objective of presenting an industry consensus view to the government on crucial issues relating to the growth and development of the industry.

     

    The federation has invited all MSOs who have minimum one lakh digital cable TV subscriber base and who are following TRAI QOS norms to become members, so that entire industry speaks in one voice and works for common objective.

     

    The members of federation will also work out the business model for phase III & IV digitisation and create the healthy business environment for all stakeholders.