Sri Lanka to issue licenses to sat TV operators

June 29, 2006

Sri Lanka will be issuing licenses to satellite TV operators in the country for an annual fee of 500,000 rupees ($4,800).

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission said cable distribution networks and satellite communications networks would have to secure a license by July 21.

The annual fee is equivalent to 0.3% of total sales or a minimum of 500,000 rupees ($4,800). The five-year license is renewable, subject to performance and adherence to license conditions.

The move follows a government crackdown on three private satellite TV stations - LBN, CBNSat and SATNet - which operated without licenses.