PEMRA holds bidding to award cable TV licences
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media regulatory Authority (PEMRA) held bidding here on Thursday to award cable TV licences in 12 Tehsils of the country to provide quality entertainment, information and education to masses in nooks and corners of country.
The PEMRA had invited this competition soliciting Expression of Interests (EoIs) through print media and initially EoIs were solicited for 116 tehsils. A large number of investors took keen interest but only 20 companies could qualify as per criteria for bidding in 12 tehsils.
Inaugurating the session PEMRA Director General Licensing briefed that Section 19 of PEMRA Act confers exclusive powers to Authority to issue licences for any broadcasting / distribution services medium through open and transparent bidding to applicants those who fulfill requisite criteria. PEMRA has initiated issuing of cable TV licences through bidding in Tehsils to professional companies registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan in order to cater quality services even in remote areas. He further told that so far nearly 3,000 cable licences have been issued on case to case basis to applicants having simply a registered firm from “Registrar of Firms”. The idea was to facilitate investments in cable TV sector but it did not yield desired result since most of the cable TV licensees lacked professionalism and failed to offer quality services.
The bidding was held to award the licences for Talagang, Chua Syden Shah, Jand, Pindi Gheb, Silanwali, Sohawa, Bhalwal, Taxila, Murree, Quaidabad, Joharabad and Hassanabdal Tehsils of Pakistan. The successful companies would require starting operation soon after the award of licences. The highest bid amount of Rs. 550,000/- was offered by M/s Rose Plus Communication Pvt. Ltd. for Hassanabdal whereas, M/s Tele Alliance Pvt. Ltd. turned another highest bidder for Murree. They offered the bid amount of Rs. 526,000/-.
PEMRA chairman concluding the ceremony urged the successful bidders to ensure the healthy flow of information, entertainment and education to the public but in due adherence and conformity to national interest. Chairman PEMRA extended his deepest gratitude and felicitation to the successful bidders for carrying forward the PEMRA’s vision and urged the earliest expedition of project.
Source: Daily Times
Date:10/28/2011
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