Private satellite dishes illegal but remain popular in city

Source:Global Times Published: 2009-9-17 4:21:13

By Lin Jiasi

Private satellite dishes are illegal in China – so why are they as common as bird cages on Beijing apartment balconies?

Like other "grey zones" in China, pertinent laws are rarely enforced. There are so many loopholes in the law that private satellite installers have no trouble doing business in Beijing despite the government's ongoing efforts to crack down on unauthorized and private installation of satellite TV receivers.

Zhu Hong, a spokesman for the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), told a press conference on Tuesday that all satellite installers in China must register and obtain a certificate from the SARFT.

"Under Chinese media law, individual households and unlicensed companies are not allowed to install satellite dishes for digital TV services at home," said Zhu.

However, a satellite TV sales installer, surnamed Chen, who runs a private business in Beijing told the Global Times there are at least three households per week calling him to help set up satellite dishes and devices.

"It costs about 2,000 yuan ($294) annually for a programming package consisting of 108 foreign channels," said Chen. "We also provide customized programming."

Apart from helping households install satellite dishes, Chen says his job is also to promote paid adult programming, which have become rather popular among new subscribers nowadays, he admitted.

"I always give my clients an 800-yuan discount to enjoy the programs," he said.

Chen is not alone. The Global Times found out Wednesday that another local satellite installation company, known as Dream Satellite TV Services, was also privately operated.

A salesman for the company said he is familiar with China's TV and media regulations but the police never stop him from doing business, even when they see him helping others set up dishes outside buildings.

"It is the Ministry of Culture's job to reinforce regulations," said the salesman. "But it's fine and safe to set one up at home because no one cares."

According to the Xinhua News Agency, China's regulations on satellite dishes, issued in 1993, prohibit individuals or work units from setting up satellite dishes to receive foreign programs. Only three-star and above hotels and expatriate office buildings are exempt from such restrictions.

In 2006, the Beijing Anti- Pornography and Anti-Piracy Office said it would target the production, distribution and installation of unauthorized satellite dishes and that individuals would be fined up to 5,000 yuan ($625) for installing a satellite dish.

The increasing demand for foreign TV programming among expats and local residents in Beijing has expanded the satellite TV market and gives opportunities for unauthorized installers to operate business under the table, an expert pointed out.

Miao Di, professor at the Communication University of China, said the regulations are not consistently implemented.

"The police has failed to root out unauthorized operators because they claimed it is beyond their jurisdiction," Miao commented.

"Therefore, owning one is not explicitly illegal in China."

 



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