Reps approve reduction of cable TV tariff

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, approved the Pay-Per-View, Pay-As-You-Go and price reduction for Digital Satellite Television Service and other cable satellite services in Nigeria.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of the reports and recommendation of the Ad–hoc Committee on ‘Non–implementation of Pay–As–You–Go and sudden increment of tariff plans by Broadcast Digital Satellite Service Providers’, chaired by Hon Unyime Idem.

The House called on the Federal Government as matter of urgency to expedite action on implementing the content of the National Broadcasting Code and the Nigeria information Policy of 2014.

The House noted that this would trigger healthy competition in the industry, adding that the entertainment industry had a wider spectrum with limitless opportunities for the teeming youths.

The lawmakers, who frowned at the visible absence of competitors in the industry, alleged that there was tacit approval of monopoly of the industry by the present operators.

While expressing concern over the under-utilisation of Nigerian NigComSat or Nigerian Satellite, the House urged the management of NigComSat to embark on the creation of awareness to companies and Organisations that made use of satellite facility waste.

The House advised satellite infrastructure users to look inwards and patronise the country’s satellite, reduce the cost of production and services and generate income for the Government.

The House stated that all obstacles that make use of NigComSat less attractive to the end-users must be looked into as utilisation of the Satellite was key to resolving the issue.

To this end, the House called for timely application of government regulatory intervention measures already articulated that will revolutionise the industry and meet the people’s yearnings on Pay-As-You-Go, Pay-Per-View and price reduction.

They further observed that moderate operations in the industry is to be fine-tuned to meet the 21st Century regulatory laws of the industry that is dynamic as the entertainment industry.

The House noted that the Commission that had the power to license and regulate the activities of service providers also has the power to moderate customer’s protection.

The House stated that there was little or nothing a regulator could do if he was handicapped by laws that were not properly tailored to the needs of the society.

According to the reports, price increase and reduction have always been contentious issues for producers and consumers in the business world.

The House also listed the factors responsible for the hike in subscription fee as the recent increment of VAT by 2.5 per cent by the Financial Amendment Act of January 13, 2020, the fluctuating foreign exchange rate in the country that affects the cost of content.

Others are; broadcast equipment, experienced hire and technical infrastructure increase in bouquets for a wider choice, inflation on the cost of production and need to maintain the workforce.

Also, not throwing many young men and women who are gainfully employed by Pay-Tv into the labour market were some necessary indices for the price hike.

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Reps approve reduction of cable TV tariff