MIB issues clarification on permitted entities under uplinking downlinking policy

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a clarification regarding policy guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of satellite TV channels. The Ministry has been receiving requests from stakeholders seeking clarification on Clause 11(3) (f) of the Policy Guidelines, 2022. Some stakeholders have suggested that this clause could be misinterpreted to allow permission holders of Satellite TV Channels to provide signal reception decoders to various entities who were previously not permitted under the policy guidelines of 2011.

However, the Ministry's stance on this matter remains unchanged from the policy guidelines of 2011.

In an office memorandum issued dated March 24, 2023, the MIB reaffirmed that the permitted entities may only provide TV Channel Signal Decoders to the following:

1. MSOs/ Cable Operators registered under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
2. DTH Operators registered under the DTH guidelines issued by Government of India.
3. Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Service Provider duly permitted under their existing Telecom License or authorised by the Department of Telecommunications.
4. HITS Operator duly permitted under the Policy Guidelines for HITS operators issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.