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Tdsat asks Ortel to provide subscriber data in Sun TV case

By ANUSHREE BHATTACHARYYA
Indiantelevision.com Team

(8 July 2008 3:00 pm)

NEW DELHI: In an interim order in the case between Sun TV and Ortel Communications, the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat) has directed the Orissa-based multi-system operator (MSO) to provide relevant documents relating to its subscriber base in Vizag city.

Ortel had sued Sun TV for not providing it the decoders so that it can show the network channels in the naval dockyard at Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Sun TV has been urging Ortel to take signals from another MSO. Ortel, however, says it has an exclusive license to operate in the naval dockyard and Sun TV has been denying it the channels to carry on its cable network.

Sun TV has argued that as a broadcaster it has no issues in providing signals through any other MSO; but Ortel has not been able to prove its stand as a MSO in the regions of Vizag. Also, having a base in Orissa does not qualify Ortel as a MSO for any other region. Ortel should, therefore, provide documents which would fortify its position as an MSO in Vizag.

The case will come up for hearing after three weeks.

Ortel has been suing various broadcasters over the issue of not giving signals in its expanding area of operations. The MSO already has running operations in Raipur and a Kolkata-adjacent satellite township, Rajarhat. In both cases, it is Tdsat that had ordered the broadcasters, which included Zee and Sony, to give their signals to the MSO.