PEMRA Approves DTH Auction Process

NewsDesk Published June 2, 2016

2 Min Read

In an important step forward, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, in its 114th meeting approved on Wednesday the process of Pakistan’s first Direct to Home (DTH) licensing.

The DTH licensing, that will introduce a new generation of technology and services for the viewers, will also bring investment to media industry and generate employment.

The process f0r license auction was approved on the recommendations of an in-house committee, legal due diligence report and the finding of an online public consultation process.

PEMRA will announce a detailed timeline once the Gazette notification of the Regulations is issued in this regard.

Market sources estimate that — with approval of DTH process in place — it won’t take more than 3-4 months till the completion of DTH licenses’ auction.

According to the spokesperson, PEMRA will ensure a transparent mechanism to complete the DTH process by inviting the media persons, representatives of NAB, FIA and intelligence agencies to be part of the process from the very beginning.

PEMRA Chairman has written letters to the heads of the state organizations to nominate their representatives to be part of PEMRA team overseeing this process.

It maybe recalled that PEMRA had shortlisted 8 companies for participation in the bidding for Direct to Home (DTH) Licensing and was scheduled for December 07, 2015. However, auction was postponed just three days ahead of scheduled plan after Absar Alam was appointed Chairman of the Authority.

Ten companies had submitted where initially 8 applicants for participation in the bidding for DTH license were cleared, which include;