08/03/2010 14:28
“The Community Acquis does not forbid a semi-governmental organization, even Cyta, to claim a license in order to secure the second platform of terrestrial digital TV”, Electronic Communications and Post Office Regulator, Polys Michaelides stated today, presenting the budget 2010 of his office to the House Finance Committee.
“Besides, Cyta has the right to participate in the auction together with two more interested parties, the joint venture of the private TV stations and the Greek-Cypriot joint venture LRG”, he said. Responding to the MP’s questions whether Cyta’s action entails a monopoly, since the first platform will be administrated by CyBC, Mr. Michaelides said that it is a “political issue”.
“My service did not carry out any study to ascertain whether Cyta will have an additional benefit from the second platform”, he added.
At the same time, the Regulator revealed that the bids for the second platform were out 15 days ago and they are under examination by the competent committee of the Interior Ministry.
“The auction procedure will follow. In order to inform the public, the office of the Electronic Communications and Post Office Regulator will launch a campaign to inform the citizens on the digital TV, the cost of which will reach €700 thousand”, Mr. Michaelides said.
“The procedures are progressing normally so that the digital TV in Cyprus is adopted in July 2011”, he stressed.
The issue will be discussed by the House Communications Committee tomorrow. The House will also examine the proposal of DISY MP, Lefteris Christoforou and DIKO MP, Nicholas Papadopoulos according to which Cyta does not become actively involved in the sector of digital platform.
“Besides, Cyta has the right to participate in the auction together with two more interested parties, the joint venture of the private TV stations and the Greek-Cypriot joint venture LRG”, he said. Responding to the MP’s questions whether Cyta’s action entails a monopoly, since the first platform will be administrated by CyBC, Mr. Michaelides said that it is a “political issue”.
“My service did not carry out any study to ascertain whether Cyta will have an additional benefit from the second platform”, he added.
At the same time, the Regulator revealed that the bids for the second platform were out 15 days ago and they are under examination by the competent committee of the Interior Ministry.
“The auction procedure will follow. In order to inform the public, the office of the Electronic Communications and Post Office Regulator will launch a campaign to inform the citizens on the digital TV, the cost of which will reach €700 thousand”, Mr. Michaelides said.
“The procedures are progressing normally so that the digital TV in Cyprus is adopted in July 2011”, he stressed.
The issue will be discussed by the House Communications Committee tomorrow. The House will also examine the proposal of DISY MP, Lefteris Christoforou and DIKO MP, Nicholas Papadopoulos according to which Cyta does not become actively involved in the sector of digital platform.
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