What is MSO License?

MSO License is mandatory for all multi-System operators seeking to render cable TV  network services on a digital addressable system. The application for this license is available in the online portal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting called Broadcast Seva.

What do you mean by Multi System Operator?

Can you imagine leaving a life without a TV? And even if you have one, does it makes sense without a good service provider? An MSO or Multi-Service Operator refers to a cable television service operator. It deals with various cables and direct broadcast satellite TV systems-rendering the end-users various TV channels.

Eligibility Criteria relating to MSO License in India

The eligibility criteria relating to an MSO license are as follows:

• The applicant must be Indian and should have attained legal age.
• The applicant can be a person or an entity such as a firm, society, or association.
• The applicant firm must be an incorporated entity and therefore have a proper registration in place.
• The applicant should have clean credit history without a track record of repayment or ongoing loan default.
• The applicant should adhere to a healthy mind as declared by a concerned court.
• The applicant should be free from any criminal offense.

Documents required for MSO License in India

Documents for MSO licenses vary as per the type of applicant.  The section below reflects the list of documents is the applicant’s types. 

If the applicant is an Individual

Identification related document

• Copy of Voted ID or Aadhar
• Copy relating to DOB Certificate
• Copy of PAN copy
• The income tax return copy
• Copy of Bharat Kosh Challan amounting to Rs 1 lacs
• Copy of Voter ID and Aadhar or passport as residential proof

Net Worth Requirements

• Net worth certificate enclosing the CA signature
• Profit and Loss A/c
• Balance Sheet

Authorization

• Copy of authorization letter for hiring agent tasked with application filing
• Copy of the undertaking printed on stamp paper worth Rs 10

For an Existing Cable Operator

• Copy relating to GST registration
• Copy relating to Entertainment tax registration, if applicable, in the area the individual operates.
• List relating to local cable operators covered
• List relating to local/ground channels
• List relating to mandatory channels carried by the applicant’s cables.
• List relating to permitted satellite channels
• List relating to agreements signed with the broadcasters.

For non-Cable Operator

• Copy relating to GST registration, if available. If not available, apply for the same and submit the receipt.
• Copy relating to Entertainment tax registration, if applicable. If not available, apply for the same and submit the receipt.

Application Submission

• Within 15 days of filing the form online, the applicant must send the following documents to the concerned authority:

1. Undertaking printed on the stamp paper worth Rs10
2. Affidavit for provisional registration on a 10 rupee stamp paper.

• Receipt relating to the MSO license cost.

If the applicant is an Association or Body of Individuals

Identification

• Copy relating to the entity registration such as partnership deed, society registration, etc.
• Copy relating to Voter ID or Aadhaar as evidence of Indian citizenship.
• Copy of DOB Certificate
• Copy of PAN Card of entity/Society/Association.
• Copy of Voter ID or Aadhaar Card or Indian Passport of each person as evidence of residential address.

Net worth requirement

• Copy relating to the Net worth Certificate of the Society/Firm/Association enclosing the CA signature and attested with the given documents:

1. Balance Sheet P&L A/c
2. Copy relating to the PAN of each individual.

• Copy of the updated ITR
• Copy of Bharat Kosh Challan amounting to Rs 1 lacs

Letter of Authorization

• Copy relating to the authorization letter for the person tasked to handle application formalities.
• Copy of undertaking printed on stamp paper worth Rs. 10/

For a firm acting as an existing Cable Operator

• Copy concerning Post Office registration
• Copy relating to the Service Tax registration.
• Copy relating to Entertainment Tax registration, if applicable
• List relating to the Local Cable Operators covered.
• List of subscribers covered.
• List concerning authorized cable TV MSOs in India
• List regarding Ground-based/Local Channels being carried.
• List concerning mandatory channels being carried.
• List relating to authorized Satellite channels being carried.
• Copies of Agreements enclosing the signature of broadcasters.

For a firm applying for the first time

• Copy relating to the Service Tax registration or copy of the receipt of application of the same.
• A copy of entertainment Tax registration or the receipt of its application.

Application Submission

The applicant must share the following via speed post within 15 days of the online form filing:

• Undertaking printed on the stamp paper worth Rs 10/
• Affidavit concerning provisional registration on stamp paper worth Rs 100
• After sending affidavits offline, cite the information of speed post and also upload a scanned copy of the receipt of online filing.
• Receipt relating to the MSO license cost.

If the applicant is a Company

Identification

• Copy relating to the Incorporation certificate under the Companies Act, 2013
• Copy concerning the Company’s PAN
• Copy relating to PAN Card of company’s director.

Net worth requirements

Copy of company’s net worth certificate enclosing CA signature along with below documents:    

• Balance Sheet
• Profit & Loss A/c
• Copy relating to the Bharat Kosh Challan worth Rs 1 lacs.
• Copy of authorization letter for an agent appointed to cater to application formalities.
• Copy of updated ITR
• Copy of undertaking on stamp paper worth Rs 10

For an Existing Cable Operator

• Copy concerning Post Office registration
• Copy relating to the Service Tax registration.
• Copy relating to Entertainment Tax registration, if applicable
• List relating to the Local Cable Operators covered.
• List of subscribers covered.
• List concerning authorized cable TV MSOs in India
• List regarding Ground-based/Local Channels being carried.
• List concerning mandatory channels being carried.
• List relating to authorized Satellite channels being carried.
• Copies of Agreements enclosing the signature of broadcasters

If not a Cable Operator

• Copy relating to the Service Tax registration or copy of the receipt of application of the same.
• A copy of entertainment Tax registration or the receipt of its application
• Copy of Articles of Association (AOA)
• A copy of the Memorandum of Association (MoA)
• Copy of Voter ID or Aadhaar Card or Indian Passport as evidence concerning the residential address of each company’s director.
• Copy of DOB certificate relating to the company’s director

Norms around Application  submission

The applicant must share the following via speed post within 15 days of the online form filing:

• Undertaking printed on the stamp paper worth Rs 10/
• Affidavit concerning provisional registration on stamp paper worth Rs 100
• After sending affidavits offline, cite the information of speed post and also upload a scanned copy of the receipt of online filing.
• Receipt relating to the MSO license cost.

Process of getting MSO License in India

You must take the given points into account before dealing with WPC. Head to the Broadcast Sewa Portal and file an online application for MSO registration.

• Attach the mandatory documentation and furnish the form.
• File an undertaking on the Stamp paper amounting to Rs. 10.
• Head to the Bharat Kosh and submit the processing fee. You’ll come across a challan and get it in hard copy.
• Send the undertaking as well as challan via speed post to the concerned authority within 15 days of furnishing the application online.

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