Ooredoo: Changes to rebroadcasting regulations pose obstacle to foreign investment

The amendment made by Maldives Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom) to the rebroadcasting regulations is an obstacle to foreign investments in Maldives, states Ooredoo Maldives.

In a meeting with the Parliament’s Regulations Committee on Tuesday, Ooredoo Maldives’ Chief Commercial Officer Hussain Niyaz said Ooredoo finds the amendment concerning and does not believe it falls in line with the standards for drafting laws and regulations.

The amendment restricts companies that can apply for rebroadcasting license to 100 percent Maldivian owned companies.

Niyaz said that at a time when laws are being created to promote trade and competitiveness, a restriction to trade due to a regulatory change is not the best decision.

“The regulations are far more expansionary than the Broadcasting Act,” he said.

Ooredoo Maldives’ Board Director Dheena Hussain said the company was seeking a rebroadcasting license as part of their efforts to expand services to the Maldivian people. She noted the amendment poses an obstacle to the company’s work.

Medianet’s Director Ahmed ‘ADK’ Nashid said the rebroadcasting sector is a highly competitive field. He said that a certain party had made multiple attempts to prevent the rights for the upcoming FIFA World Cup from being sold to Maldives.

Nashid said Medianet plans on purchasing content they share, and that though the people may be able to watch matches for free, it requires a huge expense from rebroadcasters.

Public Service Media (PSM) said earlier Tuesday that the initial offer for rights for the FIFA World Cup had come to them, but they later withdrew their bid due to lack of funds.

Medianet later purchased the rights for the FIFA World Cup.

PSM therefore decided to purchase the rights from Medianet, and charge a fee to air the matches.

The amendment to rebroadcasting regulations has closed the doors on Dhiraagu, the biggest telecom operator in Maldives. 52 percent of Dhiraagu’s shares are owned by Bahrain’s Batelco. 41 percent of shares are owned by the Maldivian government and the remaining seven percent by ordinary shareholders.

If the amendment remains in place, the license issued to DhiraaguTV will lapse starting January.

The Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee passed a motion earlier Tuesday to send a letter to BroadCom to clarify the facts surrounding the regulatory change.