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http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48538
aytv-packages-to-be-reviewed
Pay-TV operators must revise their customer offerings, and may be compelled to restructure packages and pricing, after the issuing of compliance notices by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) last week.
Leading digital satellite television operator, MultiChoice and relative newcomer, TopTV will have to review their respective structures in terms of what they offer customers, under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
According to NCC commissioner Mamodupi Mohlala, the two entities need to revise the packages they currently offer customers in terms of section 13 of the CPA, which outlines the consumer's right to select suppliers, and includes legislation on the bundling of goods and services.
The Act states that bundled services are viable only if the supplier (i) can show that the convenience to the consumer in having those goods or services bundled outweighs the limitation of the consumer's right to choice; (ii) can show that the bundling of those goods or services results in economic benefit for consumers; or (iii) offers bundled goods or services separately, and at individual prices.
The implications of restructuring are that operators would have to consider finer categorising of channels according to specific genres, and offer individual channels to customers at a set price, rather than offering only channel bouquets, as is currently the case.
Jackie Rakitla, GM of corporate affairs for MultiChoice SA, would only confirm the company has received a compliance notice, and says it is ?currently considering it?.
Senior manager of regulatory affairs at TopTV Thato Mahapa says the company is communicating with the NCC on some of the procedural aspects. ?We have not yet taken a decision or adopted a view as regards the signing of the notice or opposing it. We will exercise that option at a relevant time, depending on the outcome of our interaction with the NCC.?
Mahapa says detailed comment will be provided at a later stage.
-courtesy of itweb -www.itweb.co.za[/b]]www.itweb.co.za
;D
http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48538
aytv-packages-to-be-reviewedPay-TV operators must revise their customer offerings, and may be compelled to restructure packages and pricing, after the issuing of compliance notices by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) last week.
Leading digital satellite television operator, MultiChoice and relative newcomer, TopTV will have to review their respective structures in terms of what they offer customers, under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
According to NCC commissioner Mamodupi Mohlala, the two entities need to revise the packages they currently offer customers in terms of section 13 of the CPA, which outlines the consumer's right to select suppliers, and includes legislation on the bundling of goods and services.
The Act states that bundled services are viable only if the supplier (i) can show that the convenience to the consumer in having those goods or services bundled outweighs the limitation of the consumer's right to choice; (ii) can show that the bundling of those goods or services results in economic benefit for consumers; or (iii) offers bundled goods or services separately, and at individual prices.
The implications of restructuring are that operators would have to consider finer categorising of channels according to specific genres, and offer individual channels to customers at a set price, rather than offering only channel bouquets, as is currently the case.
Jackie Rakitla, GM of corporate affairs for MultiChoice SA, would only confirm the company has received a compliance notice, and says it is ?currently considering it?.
Senior manager of regulatory affairs at TopTV Thato Mahapa says the company is communicating with the NCC on some of the procedural aspects. ?We have not yet taken a decision or adopted a view as regards the signing of the notice or opposing it. We will exercise that option at a relevant time, depending on the outcome of our interaction with the NCC.?
Mahapa says detailed comment will be provided at a later stage.
-courtesy of itweb -www.itweb.co.za[/b]]www.itweb.co.za
;D
