MIB cautions IPTV players against middlemen, says self-declaration process is free, direct

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a clarification cautioning telecom operators and cable service providers against engaging third-party intermediaries for IPTV service approvals, reiterating that the process is simple, free, and requires no external assistance.

The ministry referred to its existing policy guidelines for IPTV services, first issued on September 8, 2008, which mandate that all telecom licensees and cable operators, including MSOs and LCOs, must submit a self-certified declaration prior to commencing services.

This declaration, to be filed with the Ministry of I&B, the Department of Telecommunications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, includes basic details such as licence or registration information, proposed date of launch, area of operation, and network infrastructure.


No role for consultants

In its latest clarification, the ministry emphasised that the prescribed self-declaration proforma is “simple and self-explanatory,” requiring only factual inputs.

“As such, no facilitation, assistance, or engagement of third-party consultants or intermediaries is necessary,” the ministry said, adding that no fee is payable for submission of the declaration.


Warning against fraudulent claims

The ministry also issued a strong warning against entities claiming to influence or expedite the approval process.

“It is unequivocally clarified that no third party has any role whatsoever in the processing of self-declarations for IPTV services, nor can any such entity influence or expedite the process,” it stated.

Stakeholders have been advised to remain vigilant against such “unscrupulous elements” and to engage only with designated officials of the ministry for any related matters.

IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. It refers to delivering television content over internet networks (using IP) instead of traditional formats like satellite or cable. This allows features like on-demand viewing, pause/rewind, and streaming across devices.