The airing of seven new television channels is still in limbo as allotment of radio spectrum has not been settled yet for over two years.
The channels awaiting government approval are Channel 21 of Broadcast World Bangladesh Limited, Millennium Television and TITAS Television of Millennium Multimedia Limited, Green Television of Green Multimedia Limited, Amar Gaan of Media Bangladesh Limited, BSB Foundation Cambrian Television, and Channel 52 of Bengal Television Limited.
When inquired, an official of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission recently said all the seven channels had applied for radio spectrum over two years ago but they have not yet received clearance from intelligence agencies.
According to BTRC regulations, the commission will provide the spectrum within 60 days after receiving clearance from the Home Ministry and intelligence agencies.
As per the BTRC spectrum committee meeting recommendations, if the intelligence agencies do not give the clearance within the stipulated time, the regulatory body will serve a notice to the agencies concerned which the BTRC has already sent to the agencies and it is waiting for a reply.
When asked, the official requesting to remain unnamed, said it was uncertain when the commission will receive the clearance for the channels.
In a recent commission meeting, the BTRC took a decision to serve a final notice to the intelligence agencies for security clearance of the channels.
The meeting fiurther decided that if the agencies concerned do not provide the clearance after the final notice, the BTRC will take the next steps necessary.
In the meeting, the regulatory body also informed the commissioners that Channel 21 has filed a writ petition with the High Court to resolve the spectrum allotment issue.