India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has said it suspended the registration of about 276 MSOs in April, though the reasons were not publicly outlined.

However, the MIBs also stated that despite the latest action, the total number of MSOs in the country stood at 1761 at the end of April 2022. The number includes MSOs whose registrations were suspended.

From the data put on the website of the Ministry, it is not clear whether the MSOs whose registrations got suspended could get back to delivering normal services as and when the objections raised by the government were addressed and anomalies in the registrations were rectified.

A few of the suspended MSOs — as highlighted by the MIB — did change the structure of their companies from partnership to proprietorship entities.

The list of suspended MSOs could be viewed on the MIB website at  https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/List%20of%20Registered%20MSOs%20as%20on%2030.04.2022.pdf.

There were four MSOs whose registrations were cancelled/surrendered during the month of April.

The applications of Shivam Cable & Broadband Private Limited of East Medinipur in West Bengal and Gujrata State’s Bhuj-based Rallyon Technology were rejected by the MIB owing to suppression of vital information.

In March 2022 also MIB had rejected the application of two MSOs as they had withheld relevant information from the government.

The registration of Panduranga Cable Network  of Telengana was cancelled in April 2022 due to non-operation. Ditto for Karnataka’s RK Digital Cable TV Network.

As per a government order of 2017, all registered MSOs, unless indicated in the registration order specifically, can operate anywhere in India.