Dish TV users in Trashigang are left worried after they received a written letter from the district to stop using Dish TV by the end of this month. The Trashigang District Entertainment Committee sent an official letter to all gups on the 29th of last month to inform people to refrain from using Dish TV.
Most parts of Trashigang have cable television connections except for the residents of Kangpar Gewog. However, those gewogs connected with cable service claim that the service is unreliable most of the time.
As such, residents in far-flung rural areas are using Dish TV to watch television. In addition, some households in areas where cable service is available have also started using Dish TV due to unreliable service.
On Dish TV, a subscription-based satellite television, people can watch BBS News and listen to a few FM Radio channels.
However, people are now worried as they have been asked by the district administration to stop using the Dish TV.
“We would not mind using cable or the Dish TV so long as the television channels are clear and reliable. We spent a few thousand in purchasing the Dish TV and if they are not going to allow us to use it, it will be a problem for us. Some people bought the Dish TV set with much difficulty,” said Sonam Tobgay, a resident of Merak Gewog.
“If we are to use the cable service we have to pay the monthly charges whether we watch TV or not. Moreover, the cable service is unreliable, which is why I installed Dish TV although there are not many channel options. We get to watch the BBS news at least,” said Nima Yangzom, another resident.
“If they do not allow it, it will be a problem for us because our children will not be able to watch TV and even we will not be able to watch religious programmes. It has been almost three years since we have been told there will be a cable connection. Tshogpa even called us for the meeting but I do not know what happened thereafter, we still do not have a cable connection,” said Dorji Wangchuk, also a resident.
The Trashigang District Entertainment Committee said they received verbal complaints from a few cable operators regarding the illegal use of Dish TV in areas with cable television connections.
The committee then issued letters to gups to inspect and disallow the use of Dish TV in their respective gewogs as it is against the policy of the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority.
The committee also said that they did not receive any written complaints regarding the unreliable cable service and added they will work on improving it.
Meanwhile, an official from BICMA said the KU band Dish TV was allowed during the pandemic to relay COVID-19-related news and announcements to the public in places without cable service.
The official said Dish TV sets installed before cable services reached can continue its use. However, households that installed Dish TV after cable services began will not be allowed to use the service.
The official said BICMA encourages households to use cable service. Trashigang has seven cable operators.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
