20000221

Applications' date for cable TV licence extended

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has extended the date of applications for setting up terrestrial Cable TV distribution service throughout the country till March 25, 2000.

According to the PTA office, it has received more than 1,200 applications from all over the country submitted by various interested firms to get licence of Cable TV distribution service.

Earlier, the PTA which was authorised by the Federal Cabinet for granting licence to operate terrestrial Cable TV system fixed dated of applications till February 20.

The PTA, in pursuance of the Cabinet's decision for regulating the operation of terrestrial Cable TV distribution systems hereby invites applications from reputed registered companies or registered firms.

The firms would be eligible to apply if they have financial capability and technical know-how and experience to develop and establish terrestrial Cable TV distribution network.

Companies already operating such systems may also apply after fulfilling requirements of registration and having technical know-how and financial resources for putting up such a system.

The applications with requisite information/documents may be submitted to the PTA by the said extended date, along with fee of Rs 500 and evaluation fee of Rs 5,000 by depositing it in the PTA Account No. 24600-7, at the National Bank, Civic Centre Branch, Islamabad.

Offices of PTA directors Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad have been authorised to deal with the cases.

The PTA will also release rules and code of conduct within a week for establishing terrestrial Cable TV distribution system in the country, PTA sources said.

According to sources, rules and code of conduct for the above mentioned system being finalised following the decision of the Federal Cabinet.

The invitation of proposals comes in pursuance of the Federal Cabinet's decision for regulating the operation of terrestrial Cable TV distribution systems.

The Federal Cabinet in its meeting on January 21, chaired by Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf, had decided to regulate the Cable TV trade and directed the PTA to invite applications from the interested parties.

The Cabinet subsequently set up a committee comprising ministries of Communication, Finance, Information and Media Development and Culture to review comprehensively the rules and the specific parameters for the issuance of licences. APP