The National Communications Council (NCC) recently held a two-day work meeting with cable distributors to discuss pressing issues affecting the industry. Key topics on the agenda included copyright of channels by national operators, exclusivity of certain program broadcasts, and the dismantling of national operator’s equipment.

In other to strike a balance the NCC on the first day of mission, had two separate meetings aimed at listening to both parties before bringing them together to find a common grown on which they could operate without hurting each other and making room for both distributors to grow in business.in this separate meetings they talked at length by addressing the accusations pointed at them as well as propose possible solutions to the crisis between them.

The second day of mission was to find a meeting point between the parties concern and from the proposals attained some resolutions were arrived at.

-The NCC should sanctions cable distributors who broadcast and sell content for which they do not have the rights, because that’s an act of theft and copyright

 -The NCC should help to supervise national cable distributors (Créolink, Swecom, Numéricable, TV+, Digitel) who are in contract with CANAL+, that all parties play fair and that there are regular meetings once semester under the supervision of the NCC, to improve relations between CANAL+ and these national operators;

-That CANAL+ refer the matter to NCC in the event of any fault observed by them before systematically dragging the accused operators before the courts to avoid the destruction of the latter’s equipment.

It was on this note that the president appreciated all participants for their contributions and dedication to see that the sector excels. The mission ended hitch-free and the working sessions officially declared closed by the president of the NCC.

1. Piracy of Channel Programs:

The issue of piracy has been a longstanding concern for cable distributors, as national operators have been known to pirate channel programs without permission. During the meeting, participants discussed the legal implications of piracy and the need for stricter enforcement of copyright laws. Possible solutions, such as implementing advanced encryption technologies and increasing cooperation between industry players, were also explored.

2. Exclusivity of Certain Programs:

The exclusivity of certain programs has been a contentious issue between cable distributors and national operators. The meeting addressed the pros and cons of exclusivity agreements and their impact on consumers. Participants debated whether exclusivity leads to better quality content or hinders competition and consumer choice.

3. Dismantling National Operator Equipment:

The question of dismantling national operator equipment was also discussed during the meeting. Cable distributors raised concerns about the costs and logistics of dismantling equipment, as well as the potential impact on service quality. Possible solutions, such as incentivizing national operators to upgrade their equipment or establishing a joint dismantling fund, were considered.

Conclusion:

The two-day work meeting between the NCC and cable distributors provided a platform for open dialogue and collaboration on critical industry issues. While some challenges remain, the discussions held during the meeting represent a positive step towards addressing piracy, exclusivity, and equipment dismantling concerns. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential for all stakeholders to work together to ensure a healthy and competitive market that benefits both providers and consumers.

                                                                                                                                                  Ndengkoh Solange Tanjong