India’s Fast Way rapped by regulator
July 4, 2012
By Chris Forrester
Indian cable giant MSO Fast Way has been told it must stop “bullying” broadcasters. India’s Competition Commissioner has issued a strong warning to all cable MSO’s not to abuse their dominant position in the supply of TV channels to local users. Fast Way trades as Fast Way Transmission, Hathway Sukhamrit Cable and Creative Cable.
To back up its warning it has fined Fast Way a total of Indian Rupees 84 million ($1.4m) for abusing its position in the Indian states of Punjab and Chandigarh where fast Way enjoys an 85 per cent market share, and in violation of the Competition Act 2002. The fine is equal to 6 per cent of Fast Way’s average turnover measured from the last 3 years of trading.
Complaints had come from broadcasters, denied access to the cable systems.