Multichoice Malawi admits operating GOtv illegaly – Macra
Multichoice Malawi, a digital television services provider, has admitted that it did not follow the law and procedures in launching GOtv, according to the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra).
Macra has since issued a warning against the company for rolling out GOtv services without authorization and licence contrary to Section 46 of the Communications Act.
“This warning follows a meeting that was held at Macra offices on 23rd April, 2013 between Macra and Multichoice officials where the latter acknowledged that they did not follow both the law and procedures in launching GOtv,” said Macra Director General Charles Nsaliwa.
Macra has, however, allowed Multichoice Malawi to continue providing GOtv services as the regulatory body is in the process of licensing the company.
The company launched GOtv in January this year which has several channels including Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) TV, but government through the ministry of information and civic education stopped the company from rolling out its low GOtv.
According to Information minister Moses Kunkuyu, government had similar plans to rolling out such low cost services of GOtv nature.
At the moment it is not clear if government will proceed with the said plans to roll out such services.
Malawi, which recently unveiled its Digital Migration Communication Strategy to provide a framework for communication of digital broadcasting migration project, will switch to digital broadcasting by December 2013.
Under digital transmission, all television service consumers will be required to have decoders to watch all television programming, including MBC.
The new technology will enable consumers to receive several television channels with high quality pictures and sound at once.-
