20000331

Cable TV network:

application date

extended to April 15

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has extended application dates for establishing terrestrial cable TV distribution system in the country till April 15, 2000.

According to PTA sources, the office of PTA, Islamabad set up to deal with the matters of cable TV system issued more than 250 prescribed forms after receiving deposit of Rs 500 and more than 1,000 forms were issued by Lahore and Karachi offices for this purpose.

The forms were issued to interested companies in the country including twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad besides NWFP and Balochistan because there is no PTA dealing office in the two provinces.

The PTA has already invited applications to develop and establish terrestrial cable TV distribution service in the country.

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

The Cabinet in its meeting on January 21, chaired by Chief Executive Gen. 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 parametres for the issuance of licenses.

As per announcement for extending date to apply, registered companies or firms having financial capability and technical know-how and experience to develop and establish terrestrial cable TV distribution network can apply for license by April 15, 2000.

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 and documents may be submitted to the Authority by the said 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 directors PTA, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad have been authorised to deal with the cases. APP