What is TV Receive-Only (TVRO)?
TV Receive-Only programmes refer to programmes received via satellite. Parties who require such TV services are required to apply for a TVRO (Television Receive-Only) System Licence. The MDA issues this licence only to organisations that need to access time-sensitive information for business decisions. These include financial institutions, foreign embassies and tertiary institutions.
Guidelines and Conditions for TVRO System Licences
The Guidelines for TVRO System Licence Application give information on the kind of institutions that may apply for this licence, as well as guildelines on the application process. In addition, applicants must adhere to the TVRO System Licence Conditions.
Guidelines for TVRO System Licence Application
1. The Media Development Authority of Singapore issues TVRO (Television Receive-Only) System Licences to the following institutions only:
· Financial institutions endorsed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and commercial institutions endorsed by the Economic Development Board or IE Singapore;
· Media institutions endorsed by the Ministry of Communications, Information and the Arts;
· Foreign embassies endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (installation of the TVRO system(s) only at the embassy’s main office or chancery);
i. Statutory boards;
ii. Gazetted Hotels endorsed by the Singapore Tourism Board;
iii. Foreign tertiary education institutions and international schools endorsed by the EDB; and
iv. Local tertiary education institutions registered with the Ministry of Education; and
v. Medical Institutions registered with the Ministry of Health (“Institution" means any body of persons, corporate or unincorporate, and includes any undertaking).
2. Institutions applying for TVRO System Licences must demonstrate the need for access to time-sensitive information for business or operational purposes.
3. Applicants should ensure that there is no infringement of copyright on any programme received via the TVRO System.
4. The TVRO system is strictly for the receiption of satellite TV programmes and not for transmission purposes.
5. If more than one satellite dish is needed, the institution will need to apply for a separate licence for each satellite dish.
6. The TVRO System Licence is valid for 12 months licence period and renewable on a yearly basis thereafter. An annual licence fee of S$1,000 is payable to the MDA for each licence. Payment of the licence fee (for the licence renewal) can only be made via online electronic payment services available from the Online Business Licensing Services (OBLS) web portal.
7. Please note that it is the licensee’s responsibility to install the entire TVRO system. If there is already a TVRO system at the designated area/building, the licensee could consider negotiating with the relevant owner to share the system.
8. Upon expiry of the licence, the licensee must dismantle the TVRO system (including the TVRO dish, cable distribution system and the output points) and inform the MDA in writing within three days of dismantling the system.
9. The URA’s approval is needed for any TVRO dish larger than five metres in diameter to be installed on the roof of a building. Approval is NOT needed if the TVRO dish is less than or equals to five metres in diameter and/or where the dish will be installed on the ground, outside the building. The URA’s application form can be downloaded from the URA website. The form should be accompanied by an architect’s submission. The application will be processed between six and eight weeks. For more information, please call the URA Customer Service hotline at 1800-223 4811.
10. Applicants are advised to take appropriate measures such as installing filters in their TVRO system to mitigate the potential interference from other services.
TVRO System Licence Conditions
1. The Licensee is licenced to install and operate the TVRO System for a period of 12 months from the first day of the month in which the Licence is issued.
2. The Licensee shall pay the MDA a non-refundable licence fee of Singapore Dollars One Thousand (S$1,000). Payment for the licence fee must be made payable to the Media Development Authority.
3. The Licensee shall only install and operate the TVRO System on the Premises.
4. The Licensee shall, in the installation and operation of the TVRO System, comply with the laws of Singapore.
5. The Licensee shall operate the TVRO System strictly for the reception of the Satellite Broadcasting Service for the purposes stated in the Licence.
6. The Licensee shall ensure that there is no infringement of copyright in any programme received via the TVRO System or in any published programme guide or other printed matter produced by the Licensee and the Licensee shall in this regard procure all necessary contents or licences from the copyright owners, or their assignees or licensees.
7. The Licensee shall be solely responsible and liable for all consequences however arising from its installation and operation of the TVRO System.
8. The Licensee shall in the installation and operation of the TVRO System, observe the provisions of the International Telecommunication Convention and any bilateral or multilateral telecommunication agreements in force and the regulations pertaining to the operation of TVRO systems that are made under to the said Convention and agreements.
9. The Licensee shall in installing and operating the TVRO System, ensure that no person (other than the Licensee, another TVRO licensee or their employees) can receive any broadcasting service received by the TVRO System, and the Licensee shall ensure that recordings made of all or any part of any broadcasting service received by the TVRO System are used by the Licensee solely for the purposes stated in the Licence.
10. The Licensee shall indemnify the MDA and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore ("IDA") for any loss, damage or expense arising from unauthorised reception by the Licensee of satellite transmissions.
11. Nothing in this Licence shall be construed as granting any exemption to the Licensee from obtaining such permits, licences or other authorisation as may be required under any other written law for the lawful installation and operation of the TVRO System.
12. The Licensee shall not operate the TVRO System for the purpose of telecommunications or the transmission of any broadcasting service.
13. The Licensee shall not operate the TVRO System in any manner which causes or is likely to cause interference or disturbance to the efficient or convenient operation or maintenance of any telephone, telegraph, power line, or any other broadcasting apparatus licenced by the MDA or the IDA.
14. The Licensee shall not intercept any signal, sign, writing, image, sound or intelligence of any nature transmitted which is not intended for reception by the general public.
15. The Licensee shall, within 14 days of the installation of the TVRO System, furnish the following to the Authority : -
· Diagram(s) showing the location of the TVRO System and the cable distribution system connecting the TVRO System to every TV receiver,
· Particulars of the type and model of the apparatus constituting the TVRO System, and
· Location of every TV receiver connected to the TVRO System
16. The Licensee shall not in any way modify or alter the TVRO System or change the location of the TVRO System without the prior written approval of the Authority.
17. The Licensee shall inform the Authority in writing of any changes to the number or location of TV receivers, whether or not in the Licensee's possession, which are connected to the TVRO System.
18. The Licensee shall permit the Authority and its agents or employees or any other person authorised by the Authority at all times to enter into, inspect and view the Premises and the TVRO System.
19. The Licensee shall provide such information concerning its operation of the TVRO as the Authority may from time to time require, including the daily hours of operation of the TVRO System.
20. The Licensee shall immediately cease to operate the TVRO System if so directed by the MDA.
21. The Licensee shall not sell, offer for sale or otherwise dispose of the TVRO System or any part thereof without the prior written approval of the MDA.
22. The Licensee shall not transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of the benefit of the Licence.
23. In addition to the powers conferred by the Act, the MDA may at any time modify the conditions of the Licence in such manner and impose such new conditions as it shall, in its absolute discretion, deem fit, without any compensation whatsoever.
24. In addition to the powers conferred by the Act, in the event that the Licensee has contravened any of the provisions of the Act or the regulations or the conditions of the Licence, the MDA may by written notice and without any compensation, cancel the Licence.