NEW DELHI: With 13 more multi-system operators (MSOs) getting provisional licences in the week between 2 - 8 February, 2016, the total number of MSOs operating in the country has risen to 695 including 231, which have permanent (10-year) licences.

According to list released on 2 February, the number of provisional licences was 451, which went up to 464 by 8 February.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had by 12 January cancelled the licences of 26 MSOs and closed their cases.

According to the list issued today, the areas of operation of some of the MSOs have been revised or amended.

Of the new licensees, only one provisional MSO is from the northeast – Mizoram – while the rest are from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh.

With the Home Ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August, 2014 but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending. 

Sources said many MSOs holding provisional licences had not completed certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.