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GMA
Network Inc. is blocking the bid of rival ABS-CBN
Broadcasting Corp. to offer digital television service
to consumers.
In a
filing with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC),
GMA said ABS-CBN’s application to convert its existing
analog frequency channel to digital is really a move to
operate a new service and not just a conversion.
“Unfortunately, ABS-CBN misleads the affected parties by
designating its petition as one for migration and
conversion to digital service,” said GMA.
ABS-CBN
is currently applying for a new frequency, preferably
within the 500 to 506-megahertz range, which is not yet
assignable for broadcast use. This frequency bandwidth
is presently within the band for trunked radio service.
In its
application, ABS-CBN said it intends to provide digital
TV-terrestrial (DT-T) service in the said frequency, as
maybe available and assignable by the NTC, or preferably
Channel 19. The proposed conversion, it added, will
initially be a migration to operate analog and digital
services concurrently until such time that the NTC
mandates termination of all analog TV broadcast
transmissions.
GMA
opined that ABS-CBN is actually applying for a new
frequency, which it can use to operate another station
simultaneous with its Studio 23 analog broadcast
service. No migration or conversion to digital service
will actually take place as ABS-CBN’s real intention is
to operate DWAC-TC Channel 23 as its analog service and,
at the same time, operate a digital TV station using a
different channel until the mandatory analog switch-off
date, GMA pointed out.
“The
instant petition should be denied on the obvious ground
that no migration or conversion to digital service is
contemplated herein. ABS-CBN is not applying for a
migration to conversion to a digital service but for an
entirely new digital broadcast service, in addition to
its analog service utilizing Channel 23,” said GMA.
Furthermore, the frequency bandwidth being eyed by ABS-CBN
has not yet been reallocated by the NTC for broadcast
use.
“What
ABS-CBN is in effect doing in this application is to
stake a claim on a frequency not presently within the
domain of broadcast TV spectrum, and at the same time,
preserve its privilege over Channel 23. This should not
be countenanced by the NTC,” said GMA.
The
broadcast company also has a pending application with
the NTC to transform its Channel 27 UHF (ultra-high
frequency) TV station to digital broadcast service.
“With
the advances in technology, particularly the
introduction of digital technology in the broadcasting
service, it is imperative and in the interest of public
service that GMA must take measures in order to meet the
growing public demand for and address the technological
challenge of digital TV broadcast service,” said GMA in
its application.
The TV
network said it is financially capable to adopt a
digital terrestrial TV broadcast platform, and to
acquire, operate and maintain the necessary equipment
for use in the broadcast of quality TV programs. It
presented to the NTC a proof showing its financial
capacity. GMA’s capital was recently increased to P6.5
billion from P5 billion.
“The
Securities and Exchange Commission has approved recently
the increase of authorized capital stock from P5 billion
divided into 3.5 billion common shares with the par
value of P1 each and 7.5 billion preferred shares with
the par value of P0.20 each to P6.5 billion divided into
5 billion common shares with the par value of P1 each
and 7.5 billion preferred shares with the par value of
P0.20 each,” said GMA. |
