South Africa's broadcasting regulator remains firm in repeating for a second time that the new Platco Digital's planned satellite TV service, OpenView HD, will be operating illegally and flouting South Africa's broadcasting regulations if it goes ahead with launching a commercial service in October without possible approval from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and a valid licence.
On Tuesday Platco Digital said in a press statement that it "won't engage in any licensable activities on its own behalf" and that the 15 to 20 TV channels - 5 of which it plans to broadcast in high definition (HD) will be legal as Platco Digital "merely provides technical platform services to licensed free-to-air broadcasters on the basis of their existing licences".
Icasa however, asked again on Tuesday about Platco Digital's plans, remains resolute and adamant that Platco Digital will need to apply for a license (although the regulator isn't currently issuing any and is busy with listening to applications and presentations for possible new pay-TV platforms in South Africa who applied months ago).
Icasa says it hasn't been aware of Platco Digital or of OpenView HD, nor any intended launch of any such free-to-air satellite service for the end of the year.
Icasa says the law and the regulations governing broadcasting and the TV industry in South Africa are very clear: first obtain a licence and keep to the licensing conditions, or face shut down and fines.
"The law is very clear that no broadcasting service can be provided without a valid broadcasting service licence issued by Icasa in terms of the Electronic Communication Act," says the regulator.
Platco Digital with its head office in Johannesburg and Maxwell Nonge as managing director is backed by e.tv's parent company Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI). HCI owns Sabido Investments, which holds a 67% interest in Platco Digital and a 63% stake in e.tv.
Platco Digital's national roadshow for OpenView HD is taking place today in Cape Town in a hotel in the city centre but journalists and the press covering television have not been invited.
Elsewhere on the continent Malawi's broadcasting regulator last month said that MultiChoice Malawi started and is operating its new GOtv digital terrestrial television (DTT) offering in that country illegally.
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority said MultiChoice Malawi started its digital TV service without any authorisation and said in a statement that MultiChoice officials "acknowledged that they didn't follow both the law and procedures in launching GOtv".
