The National Communications Authority (NCA) has served a notice to Multichoice Ghana Limited, operators of Pay TV service DSTv and GOTv in Ghana, of its intention to suspend the company’s authorization to operate in the country.
A statement on the NCA’s website said Multichoice has been notified of intentions to suspend its Subscription Management Service for a Satellite Television Broadcasting (Pay TV Direct-to-Home Bouquet) Authorisation pursuant to Section 13 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
Those notice is in keeping with an earlier warning by the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George to Multichoice, asking them to reduce their subscription prices by 30% of the NCA will start the process to suspend their license on August 7.
In issuing that warning, the Minister said the DSTv subscription fees were way higher that what the company charges in six other African countries, and that amounts to “stealing” from Ghanaians.
Following the Minister’s warning, Multichoice issued a statement describing the Minister’s stance as “regrettable”, saying that they cannot reduce prices in the manner the Minister was asking for. They then proposed further engagement with the NCA on the matter.
The Minority in Parliament had also issued a statement calling for negotiations on the matter,
Between the time of the warning and today, the Minister has put out a number of social media posts, responding to Multichoice and the Minority, and also insisting that his August 7 deadline is non-negotiable.
In their notice therefore, the NCA said “This regulatory action is subsequent upon the company’s pricing model which is deemed inimical to the public interest.”
It added that “By this notice, Multichoice Ghana has thirty (30) days within which the company may present its views, or provide remedial action, and submit a written statement of its objections to the suspension of the authorisation.”
