NBC wants to operate Internet protocol TV services

Nation Broadcasting Co. (NBC), a broadcasting firm famous for its FM radio station Joey and channel MTV Philippines, has filed an application with the government to operate an Internet protocol television (IPTV) and digital tv services nationwide. NBC is a unit of MediaQuest Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of dominant phone firm Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT). IPTV describes a system where television content is digitally delivered using the Internet protocol over a network infrastructure, which may include delivery by a broadband connection. NBC is the fourth broadcasting company seeking a permit from the commission to maintain and operate digital tv service. The three other applicants are GV Broadcasting Inc., a DTH provider which Mediaqiest is bent on acquiring; ABS Broadcasting Corp. of the Lopez group; and Associated Broadcasting Corp. of Antonio Cojuangco, PLDT's former chairman. In its application, NBC said it is financially, technically and legally qualified to install, construct, and maintain the services. It assured the commission that it will comply with the submission of any documents necessary to show economic, financial, technical capability to operate the services. The NTC will require NBC to submit these documents as soon as it schedules a public hearing. NBC also asked the NTC to issue them a temporary license to test-operate the services pending the issuance of a certificate of public convenience (CPC). MediaQuest is a 100-percent owned subsidiary of the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund, the retirement fund of PLDT employees. It also owns an interest of 33.5 percent in Central CATV, Inc., the leading cable company in the Philippines, in partnership with the Benpres Group and ABS-CBN. Recently, it bought a 30-percent stake in publishing firm BusinessWorld. - GMANews.TV