License to DTH Operators now 20 years, Cabinet Approves Revision

On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet gave its nod to the revisions in the guidelines for offering DTH services in the country. As per the new guidelines, now DTH operators will be given license for 20 years as against 10 years provisioned previously.

Chaired by PM Modi, the cabinet has also given its nod to revise the licensing fee from 10% Gross Revenue to 8% Adjusted Gross AGR.

A government statement released on this matter states, “AGR will be calculated by deduction of GST from GR. License Fee will be collected on quarterly basis in lieu of presently annual basis. DTH operators shall be permitted to operate to a maximum of 5 percent of its total channel carrying capacity as permitted platform channels. A one-time non-refundable registration fee of Rs 10,000 per PS channel shall be charged from a DTH operator.”