There is a strong probability that Anatel will review the circular letter sent to pay-TV operators a few weeks ago recalling the need to compensate their subscribers financially for signal interruptions. Its main concern is the possibility of unfair treatment for DTH operators. However, for the time being it?s merely reiterating the principle that subscribers shouldn?t be deprived of the service even for a few minutes and must be compensated if they are. The issue for DTH is meteorological in origin: it?s virtually impossible to ensure all subscribers receive the signal all the time, as adverse weather conditions can be a barrier to satellite reception. Operators are also complaining about the lack of clear criteria as to which channels are subject to compensation penalties in the event of interruption and under what conditions. For example, they don?t know whether the rule applies to must-carry channels such as those produced by Congress. In their view, Anatel should have issued draft rules for public consultation and review instead of a letter. Better still, it should have published the quality target plan for the industry, they say. The plan has been under discussion for over two years.
Targets
Sources inside Anatel say the target plan has been ready since February but hasn?t been published because of disagreement about the rules for so-called ?mass electronic communication services? (Portuguese-language acronym SCEMa). Now everything is on hold anyway because the Communications Ministry wants to revamp all the legislation affecting the media industry. So neither the SCEMa rules nor the pay-TV target plan will be finalized this year. Meanwhile, Anatel has to perform its oversight functions by means of circular letters, ordinances and the like. Having noticed the difficulties the industry faces in complying with all these orders, the mass communications department has decided to consolidate them into a single document. But the document won?t deal with anything not already established in the Cable Act and rules for specific services, assures the source.
