BICMA did not explain how it would regulate the large number of Bhutanese already availing DTH television in Thimphu. Kuensel has learnt that a possible strategy under discussion is to legalise direct subscriptions, but charge an added fee or tax, in addition to the one that they already pay to India, to compel a switchover to a local service provider.

But BICMA is adamant that all existing users will comply without such a move. “There’s no question of regularising them,” said Ugyen Pem. “Existing DTH users are unauthorised.”

There are two primary reasons the media authority and watchdog wants to establish a local DTH service provider. Ugyen Pem said the primary reason “is to provide Bhutanese citizens with access to information, education and entertainment irrespective of geographical locations.” Although DTH is already being availed in rural Bhutan, albeit illegally, Bhutan broadcasting service (BBS) is not part of the bouquet of channels received. Its inclusion is one major criterion to be fulfilled by the local service provider.

Another is content control or regulation, which is not possible without a local DTH service provider. “There’s no need for BICMA to develop its capacity to block the channels as this responsibility will be entrusted upon the local/principal service providers as per the licensing terms and conditions,” she said. The local service provider will have to follow local content laws, meaning it will have to practice censorship similar to current cable operators. “Some channels may be excluded from the channel bouquet,” she added.