Two companies to launch IPTV

KATHMANDU, JAN 05 -

 
Two companies — Orient Digital Media and Subisu Cable Net — are planning to launch Internet Protocol Television ( IPTV ) service for the first time in the country. 

Orient has already received the licence, while Subisu has applied for the permission from the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Through IPTV, television contents are delivered to viewers through internet instead of traditional terrestrial broadcast, satellite signal or cable television formats. Subscriber of IPTV can watch TV even in smartphones and tablets. 

Subisu, one of the leading internet service providers of the country, has said it will start the service by March with 15 channels. “We are hopeful to get the government permission within a week,” said Subisu CEO Sudhir Parajuli, adding the company is currently working on the packages to be offered.

Although Orient acquired the licence about eight months ago, it is yet to launch the service. “Orient Digital has not started the service, and Subisu is yet to complete the application procedure,” said Shailaja Regmi, chief of Audio-Visual and Broadcasting Section of the Communications Ministry. She said after receiving the permission, companies get a maximum of 18 months to start the service, and if they fail to do so within the time frame, their licence will be scrapped. 

The Communications Ministry has fixed the licence fee at Rs 25,000 per channel and the annual renewal fee at 10 percent of licence fee. 

Besides the two companies, state-owned Nepal Telecom (NT) too has expressed interest in operating IPTV service. “Although the service is in our plan, no concrete decision has been made so far,” said Guna Keshari Pradhan, spokesperson for NT. 

Based on local companies’ interest to provide the IPTV service, the government about two years ago had opened the licence. 

Sources at the Communications Ministry said Orient, which has investment from non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs), is facing legal hurdles, delaying the service launch. 

“We have heard the company is facing legal complication over the repatriation of earning made from here,” the source said. “The company has been permitted for  36 channels.”

Source: The Kathmandu Post