Panel backs DTH TV to break cable monopoly

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A parliamentary panel has recommended introduction of 'direct to home (DTH)' television service which may break the monopoly of the cable TV operators in the country, reports bdnews24.com.
The information ministry-related standing committee Tuesday observed that the DTH service would give the viewers better picture quality and more options on satellite channels.
The watchdog based the recommendations on the observation of a five-member parliamentary sub-committee headed by Awami League MP Ali Reza.
If introduced, the wireless DTH service provider will offer viewers different rates for different packages of channels. The providers will set a small dish antenna for every user.
"The committee has accepted the recommendation of the sub-committee and suggested implementation of the DTH services in phases," Obaidul Kader, the standing committee chairman, told the news agency Tuesday after the meeting at parliament building.
"There are some irregularities and corruption in the current analogue cable operation system," Kader said.
"The digital system will give the government better control over cable TV operation and collection of revenue from the sector".
He, however, said, "Like the movie piracy gang, there is a syndicate in the current cable TV operation. There is a danger in ruffling their (cable TV operators') feathers".
The chairman also said that the DTH facility would reduce the cost of watching cable TV channels, as well.
Md Touhid Hossain, managing director of cable TV operator 'Nation Electronics and Cable Operator', said that the DTH facilities would give viewers more channel options.
"The viewers are now forced to watch those channels that are served by cable operators," said Hossain, who has at least 600 users in Dhaka Cantonment area.
Allegations have it that the forum of the cable TV operators, the Cable TV Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), very often drops channels. Recently, the operators deprived viewers of watching ETV in many areas in capital Dhaka.
Hossain said that some big companies such as India's Tata Group and Bashundhara Group had already sought government permission to launch DTH facilities in Bangladesh.
The sub-committee in its recommendations, however, said, "The DTH and the cable TV operators are not competitors. A cable TV operator can be a DTH operator".