MULTICHOICE has voiced concerns that a court interdict brought against the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) to block the allocation of new channels to M-Net would delay the migration of pay TV to a digital broadcasting platform, it said yesterday.<\/p>\n
The interdict was brought by a consortium led by the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc).<\/p>\n
Last week the consortium said it would take Icasa to court over its decision to allocate new digital channels to M-Net, arguing that it entrenched M-Net’s monopoly and did not promote black empowerment. The consortium is expected to file the papers by next Friday.<\/p>\n
M-Net, e.tv and SABC are migrating from an old analog broadcasting signal to digital. The digital platform will create more space for new television channels and improve quality.<\/p>\n
Nolo Letele, the chief executive of MultiChoice, said: “I don’t understand their (Nafcoc’s) intervention. Its not like M-Net is being given special treatment.”<\/p>\n
Karen Willenberg, M-Net’s director of regulatory affairs, said that M-Net had not decided on whether it would participate in the court case between Icasa and Nafcoc.<\/p>\n
In the draft regulation on digital terrestrial television, Icasa proposed two multiplexes – one for SABC and the second to be shared by e.tv and M-Net.<\/p>\n
This was going to result in eight new channels – three for SABC, one for e.tv, two for M-Net and the remainder to community broadcasting as well as Trinity. Multiplex allows TV stations to air more than one channel at a time.<\/p>\n
In the final regulations released last Friday, Icasa introduced a new multiplex of which 50 percent would be allocated to M-Net in exchange for a switch to the digital platform within a year.<\/p>\n
According to the consortium, M-Net might end up with six channels. The remaining capacity would be allocated to M-Net’s new competitor.<\/p>\n
Asked whether the consortium would take that opportunity and apply for the remaining capacity, the spokesman for the consortium, Andisa Ramavhunga, said that was not an opportunity as M-Net would get a first mover advantage to roll out its digital strategy.<\/p>\n
“It will be unsustainable for the new entrants,” he said, adding that Icasa should allocate the channels to black-owned companies at the same time as M-Net, and also regulate the market to ensure sustainability of new entrants.<\/p>\n
Ramavhunga said: “Multiplex three was introduced through the back door.<\/p>\n
“Our members are interested in the pay TV multiplex as it offers best opportunities and alternatives.”<\/p>\n
In its submission to Icasa in April, the consortium, which includes entities only identified as NBA and Friends of the Media, urged Icasa to hold a public hearing on the inclusion of the third multiplex before issuing final regulations.<\/p>\n
M-Net said during the hearings in November that internationally the general approach was to give broadcasters many channels to motivate them to migrate and compensate for the costs.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Letele said that mobile television might not be ready in time for the the World Cup next June. Icasa said last week it would issue an invitation to apply for a licence before the end of the year. It would then hold public hearings before issuing the licences.<\/p>\n
Letele said: “Icasa’s time line is worrying. It might not be possible to cover the World Cup. MultiChoice has been running mobile television trials for the past two years.<\/p>\n