CRTC calls for comment on mobile broadcasting undertakings

The CRTC is proposing to create a new exemption order for mobile broadcasting undertakings in the wake of its ruling not to regulate mobile TV services. The following is an edited excerpt of Public Notice 2006-48. In Public Notice 2006-47, the commission stated the view that there may be reasons for service providers to find alternative means of distributing these mobile television broadcasting services. It added that similar mobile television broadcasting services might be developed that are not delivered and accessed over the Internet. The commission noted that, in either case, these services would not fall within the scope of the New Media Exemption Order. Commission’s policy on exemption ordersThe commission noted in PN 2006-47 that, without regulation, mobile television broadcasting undertakings currently provide a predominance of Canadian channels. The commission also concluded that mobile broadcasting television undertakings can offer additional benefits to Canadian broadcasters by expanding the audiences for Canadian programming, and to Canadian producers by expanding the opportunities to create and license new content. In addition, as also noted in PN 2006-47, the commission considers that the mobile television broadcasting services, as described, are unlikely to compete significantly with traditional television broadcasting services due to the limitations of the wireless technology, the battery life and small screen size of the handset, the poor image and audio quality and the type and range of programming choices offered by the mobile broadcasters. For these reasons, the commission is satisfied that compliance with Part II of the Act, and any applicable regulations made thereunder, by persons carrying on mobile television broadcasting undertakings, as defined in the proposed exemption order set out in the appendix to this notice, will not contribute in a material manner to the implementation of the policy objectives set out in section 3(1) of the Act. This order is intended to capture undertakings offering the type of mobile television broadcasting services described in PN 2006-47, but whose services are not necessarily "delivered and accessed over the Internet." The Commission proposes, as one of the exemption criteria, that mobile television broadcasting undertakings be required to obtain the prior consent of any broadcaster for the retransmission of its signal. Exemption order for mobile TVThe commission pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Broadcasting Act, by this order, exempts from the requirements of Part II of the Act and any regulations made there under, those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the following criteria: PurposeThe purpose of these undertakings is to provide mobile television broadcasting services. DescriptionThe undertaking provides television broadcasting services that are delivered and accessed through mobile devices, including cellular telephones and personal digital assistants. The undertaking has obtained the prior consent of a broadcaster for the retransmission of its signal.

CRTC calls for comment on mobile broadcasting undertakings

News | April 19, 2006

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