SKYcable Corporation, the cable and broadband technology subsidiary of embattled Filipino media company ABS-CBN Corporation, has been issued by the country’s National Telecommunications Commission with a cease and desist order effective June 30. The order affects SKYdirect, the company’s direct-to-home service which goes out to over one million homes in the country’s regional areas.
The move follows the closure of ABS-CBN’s terrestrial network on May 5 by NTC order for alleged “highly abusive practices” by ABS-CBN, including the alleged launch of its KBO channel without a permit, and allowing foreign investors to control the company.
According to a statement issued by SKYcable Corporation, “SKYdirect’s 1.5 million subscribers nationwide, including those in remote areas that do not receive television signals, will be deprived of access to the channels we carry that bring them news, information, education and entertainment starting tonight June 30, 2020, as Sky Cable Corporation complies with the cease and desist order (CDO) issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) stopping the company from operating its direct broadcast satellite service immediately.
“In the spirit of fairness, we continue to appeal to the NTC to extend the same privilege given in the past to other companies whose franchises have expired but are currently pending in Congress to continue its operations until a resolution is passed.
“We assure our subscribers that we will exhaust all legal remedies to resume our services.
“We commit to attend to the concerns of our valued subscribers and partners arising from this decision. We will refund all unconsumed prepaid loads and advance postpaid payments. We appeal to our SKYdirect subscribers and partners for understanding and patience as we undergo this process.
“Our valued subscribers of SKYcable and SKY broadband, however, will continue to enjoy uninterrupted services as they are unaffected by the franchise expiration.”
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