Major Ian Miles
THE Broadcasting Commission is working with the police to clamp down on illegal cable operators across the island. So says Major Ian Miles, Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission.
So far, 20 illegal operators have been advised to cease operations or run the risk of being arrested.
Those found guilty of operating illegally, Major Miles said, can be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both fine and imprisonment.
He explained that the Commission monitored broadcast and subscriber television licenses to ensure that they operated within the framework of the law, adding that when the Commission received complaints about illegal operations or that persons were operating in breach of the Broadcasting Act, the technical monitoring team would conduct investigations.
"The findings would then be reported to the police who have the authority to shut down the illegal operations," he said.
He told THE STAR that on-going public education and the monitoring of licencees were the main methods employed by the Broadcasting Commis-sion to reduce the number of illegal cable operators.
"The services offered by cable operators have improved because there are technical and operational standards that are required of the licensed operators and they are, to a reasonable extent, conforming to these standards," he said.
However, only months after many of the major channels such as STARZ and Direct TV, were taken off air, they are now being made available to customers once again.
A source at Cable Vision, however, told THE STAR they have no intention of airing Direct TV, which was one of the main bones of contention.
