The Government has earned a sum of Rs 803 million during the last six years by issuing licenses to radio and TV channels, fixed wireless, cellular mobiles, broadband, data communication and internet services, satellite broadcasting operators and cable TV distributors, Parliament was told yesterday.
Chief Government Whip, Water Supply and Drainage Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, responding to a question raised by UNP Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayake, said that licenses had been issued to 14 radio channels, 12 TV channels, one wireless service provider, one cellular mobile service provider, two broadband, data communication and internet service providers, three satellite broadcasting operators and three cable TV distributors during the last six years.
The Ministry of Media and Information had the authority to issue licenses to radio channels, TV channels and satellite boradcasting services. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) allocates the frequency spectrum for them. The TRC had the authority to issue licenses for cellular mobile operators, broadband operators and direct to home (DTH), fixed wireline, fixed wireless etc., he said.
The Island: