ICASA flip-flops on mobile TV

Johannesburg, 02 Jun 2010

Correction

MultiChoice has pointed out a factual inaccuracy in this article.
It notes that the statement, “MultiChoice was so confident of its application that it broadcast advertising promoting the mobile TV offering before ICASA made its devastating announcement”, is incorrect.
“It is true that we have been advertising mobile TV on the DStv platform,” says the company. “However, the advert clearly states that it is only available in the following countries: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Namibia. MultiChoice already offers mobile TV in those countries and the advert is aimed at subscribers in those countries. Unfortunately, the advert can also be seen in SA, which is why it carries a disclaimer naming the countries.”
ITWeb apologises for the error.

In a move that stunned the industry, the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) has reissued the invitation to apply (ITA) for mobile TV licences.

This gives thwarted broadcasters another chance to bid.

Last week, the authority burst broadcasters' bubbles by disqualifying three of the four applicants pitching for a mobile TV licence, leaving only etv with the chance to provide the service before the kick off of the Soccer World Cup next week.

The first ITA was issued early in April, giving broadcasters three weeks to submit a full business plan, technical specifications and gather the R70 000 application fee. However, in the rush to get things together, broadcasters missed the mark of the requirements stipulated in the application.

ICASA decided to rush the process at the last minute, because access to mobile TV is a Fifa stipulation for the World Cup games.

The Mobile TV Consortium did not have a broadcast licence, which was a requirement for the application and remains one in the new ITA, forcing the authority to disqualify it. MultiChoice did not submit its application in time, and pay-TV newcomer, Super5Media, did not bind all the copies of the required documentation, disqualifying it.

Not ideal

During a briefing held by ICASA chairman Paris Mashile two weeks ago, he defended the regulator's decision to only license one broadcaster, saying that - while it was not an ideal situation - there was nothing the regulator could do.

“We have done everything in our power to create a level playing field. The fact that the broadcasters didn't comply with our requirements is not our fault,” Mashile said.

ICASA has not responded to ITWeb's query, or provided a reason for the reissue of the ITA.

The snubbed broadcasters joked after the session that they would probably see each other in the courts, and ICASA's new ITA was likely issued to prevent that from happening.

Broadcasters will now have until 28 June to complete their applications for the next round of licensing, which means those broadcasters will not be in time for the World Cup. Etv will already have started getting its mobile TV offering together; however, MultiChoice has been tipped as the only broadcaster ready to go ahead with its offering.

MultiChoice was so confident of its application that it broadcast advertising promoting the mobile TV offering before ICASA made its devastating announcement.