Multichoice Ghana Limited has been formally informed by the National Communications Authority (NCA) that its authorization to operate its Subscription Management Service for Satellite Television Broadcasting (Pay TV Direct-to-Home Bouquet) will be suspended.
Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, has directed that this regulatory action be taken.
The development comes after a stalemate between the Minister and Multichoice Ghana, which has charged that the business, which operates DStv, is charging Ghanaians excessive and unjust subscription costs.
He reaffirmed his intention to take regulatory action against the business, calling its pricing strategy predatory and inconsiderate of the state of the national economy.
Multichoice Ghana called the Minister’s direction to the NCA “regrettable” in a statement released on Sunday, August 3, adding that additional subscription cost reductions were not practical given the state of the market.
The Minister, however, dismissed the company’s justification, claiming that it did not adequately account for the financial struggles that the typical Ghanaian consumer is currently facing.
Section 13 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), is the legal basis for the regulatory action, according to a statement released by the NCA on Thursday, August 7. The NCA expressed concerns about Multichoice Ghana’s pricing plan, calling it “inimical to the public interest.”
Multichoice Ghana has been granted 30 days to reply, as mandated by law. The business has this time to voice its concerns, take corrective measures, or submit a written statement of objections to the proposed suspension.
According to the statement, “By this notice, Multichoice Ghana has thirty (30) days within which the company may present its views or provide remedial action and submit a written statement of its objections to the suspension of the authorisation.”
Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com