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GMA Network Inc. said telecom companies have no basis
offering mobile-television (TV) services.
Felipe Gozon, GMA Network
chairman, said telcos offering broadcast services like mobile TV is
a “legal issue.”
He said mobile TV service offers
audio-visual and moving pictures. “They can’t engage in
broadcasting. Telecom companies have no broadcasting authority on
their franchise,” he said.
Section 4 of the Republic Act
7925, or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines
states that no single franchise shall authorize an entity to engage
in both telecommunication and broadcasting, either through the
airwaves or by cable.
The broadcasting network has
applied before the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for
authority to replace its existing equipment and allow it to
initially offer mobile TV services in Makati, Ortigas, Tagaytay,
Calumpit and Angeles.
GMA Network is also seeking
authority to construct, install and maintain additional transmitting
stations.
In a related development, the NTC
last Thursday issued an order directing Smart Communications Inc.,
360Media and National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) to respond to the
complaint filed by the Philippine Cable TV Association (PCTA)
against myTV.
The NTC earlier gave Smart and
360Media a demo permit to offer mobile TV only until October 15, but
the PLDT unit sought an extension.
In its 19-page complaint, PCTA
said 360 Media has no authorization to provide any kind of
broadcasting service whereas Smart is barred by law from engaging in
broadcasting.
“[U]nder existing rules and
guidelines, only cable television companies are allowed to engage in
the provisioning of pay TV. None of the respondents posses the
necessary authorization to engage in the provisioning of pay TV,”
it added.
Earlier, a source from NTC said
it is considering the classification of mobile TV as a value added
service (VAS). If the service is classified as VAS, “the broadcast
entities just have to establish subsidiaries and register as VAS
providers,” the source added.
 --Darwin
G. Amojelar
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