The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Tuesday ordered Lopez-led Sky Cable Corp. to immediately stop operating and directed to refund all its subscribers for unconsumed prepaid loads and subscription fees.
In a three-page order, NTC ordered Sky Cable to immediately cease and desist operating its direct broadcast satellite service after its Congressional franchise to install, operate and maintain the service under Republic Act No. 7969.
The legislative franchise granted to Sky Cable under RA 7969 expired last May 4, 2020, the agency noted.
“Upon the expiration of RA No. 7969, Sky Cable Corp. no longer has a valid and subsisting congressional franchise to install, operate and maintain a direct broadcast satellite service, “ NTC said.
In July 25, 2018, the NTC extended the provisional authority of Sky Cable from June 23, 2017 up to but not beyond June 23, 2021.
This was “subject to the applicable terms and conditions set forth in the previous provisional authority and conditioned upon compliance with the Commission’s existing rules and regulations,” the agency said.
Sky Cable is operating in 251 cities and municipalities throughout the country.
The NTC also ordered Sky Cable to refund all its subscribers those amounted representing unconsumed prepaid loads, deposits on subscribers equipment and devices, deposit or advance payment in monthly charges for prepaid subscribers, if any charges collected for new applicant for DBS (direct broadcast satellite) service.