The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has advised local cable operators (LCOs) to refrain from offering services without prior and valid registration at post offices.

Simultaneously, taking a cue from the concerns raised by LCO industry bodies, the government has advised the Department of Posts to tell post offices that they should keep the LCO registration process simple and not insist on production of additional documents beyond mandated ones.

In India, a local cable operator can start an operation after completing a simple process of registration with the area post office.

“It has come to the notice of this Ministry that local cable operators are offering cable services without valid registration and, in many cases, after the expiration of their registration period,” a MIB communique said last week, advising LCOs to “adhere to the regulations and have valid registration” at the time of interconnect agreements with MSOs.

However, the Ministry also conceded that industry bodies have brought to the government’s notice challenges faced by operators during the registration and renewal process, citing difficulties arising from the request for additional documents, beyond those outlined by post offices in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.

“Head post masters of the Head Post Offices, i.e. Registering Authority for the LCOs, are also advised to seek only those information and documents as required under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 at the time of registration or renewal,” the advisory added, making it clear that the process should be kept simple.

Section 3 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 mandates that individuals can only operate a cable television network if they have obtained registration as a cable operator under this Act. LCOs receive their registrations in accordance with Section 4 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, and Rule 5 of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 from their area post offices.

The government has warned LCOs found to be operating without a valid postal registration shall be subject to appropriate action in accordance with existing regulations. MSOs have also advised to enter into agreements with only those LCOs who have valid registrations.