NEW DELHI, 16 February, 2006 – Indias satellite broadcasting and telecommunications industries today gave renewed support to optimising regulations for satellite services within India. A meeting attended by members of the VSAT Services Association of India (VSAI), the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) and the Global VSAT Forum (GVF) exchanged views and information with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Indias Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on the expansion of Indias access to competitively priced satellite communications services.

At the summit conclusion, the private sector was unanimous in its support for the TRAI-based recommendation that an Open Skies satellite services policy should be implemented without delay.

Satellite services underpin Indias communications infrastructure and have the potential to revolutionise the publics access to new and exciting interactive media and telecommunications, said Wg. Cdr. (Retd.) B.G. Bhalla, Secretary General of the New Delhi-based VSAI.

Underlying the meeting recommendations was one incontestable fact, said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO of CASBAA. There is a huge pent-up demand within India for satellite services which cannot be met in the current regulatory environment.

Broadcast channels supported by bandwidth-hungry high definition TV and interactive telecommunications services cannot be deployed unless there is significant additional satellite inventory made available within India, said David Hartshorn, Secretary General of the GVF.

During the summit, the private sector called upon the Government of India to implement a TRAI recommendation that an Open Skies policy should be adopted for DTH and VSAT operators similar to that available to ISPs. According to TRAI: DTH and VSAT providers should be allowed to work directly with any international satellite.

According to a joint CASBAA-GVF paper released during the meeting, with new supply of DTH and VSAT capacity limited to a best-case total of 36 new government-sanctioned transponders for India over the next three years, the ability of any company wishing to use Indian uplinked DTH or VSAT services will be severely limited.

The high-level meeting of more than 25 industry leaders and government officials debated the opportunities for satellite services that are fast emerging as Indias communications sector digitises and introduces new consumer services. Without change in government policy, Indias communications industry will under-perform on the promise of the digital revolution, according to the satellite industry executives.

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Click here to read the full CASBAA GVF report, India Satellite Services & Regulatory Overview.

ABOUT VSAI

VSAT Services Association of India (VSAI) acts as a central coordinating body representing VSAT network operators & VSAT users in India and associated organisations from the satellite industry in India and abroad. VSAI is also a founder member of the Global VSAT Forum (www.gvf.org), an Association with over 170 members from the satellite industry and organisations across the world.

ABOUT CASBAA

The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia is an industry association dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel television via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific region. CASBAA represents some 110 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than 3 billion people. Member organizations include ABC Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO, AETN International (History Channel), AsiaSat, ASTRO (Malaysia), Bloomberg Television, Comverse, Discovery Networks Asia, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, NOW Broadband TV, PanAmSat, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, Turner International Asia Pacific, UBC (Thailand), Walt Disney Television International, Zone Vision, JSAT, MEASAT and Shin Satellite.

ABOUT GVF

The Global VSAT Forum is an association of key companies involved in the business of delivering advanced digital fixed satellite systems and services to consumers, and commercial and government enterprises worldwide. The Forum is independent and non-profit and has a global remit. It is also non-partisan – any companies or organisations with an interest in the VSAT industry are encouraged to join.

CONTACTS

VSAI C www.vsatindia.org

Wg. Cdr. (Retd.) B.G. Bhalla

Tel: +91 (011) 335 0633

Fax: +91 (011) 372 3909

Email: bbhalla@luthra.com

CASBAA C www.casbaa.com

Rebecca Kennedy / Katie Wong

Communications

Tel: +852 2854 9913

Fax: +852 2854 9530

Email: pr@casbaa.com

GVF C www.gvf.org

David Hartshorn

Tel: +1 202 626 6881

Fax: +1 703 683 1887

Email: david.hartshorn@gvf.org

Manila, Philippines, January 16, 2006 — The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) today announced that it has filed 12 new copyright infringement lawsuits at the Department of Justice in Manila against Maguindanao Skycable, a cable TV operator based in Cotabato City.

Maguindanao Skycable is one of several cable operators raided in September 2005 by the National Bureau of Investigation – Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD) for illegally acquiring and transmitting copyrighted programming from major broadcasting organizations.

According to CASBAA, despite the NBI-led raids last September, the Cotabato-based cable operator has continued to air numerous cable channels without the necessary authorization from the owners.

CASBAA, a regional association of 110 pay-TV companies, filed the complaints on behalf of members owning the copyright for channels AXN, CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, the Disney Channel, ESPN Star Sports, HBO Asia, MTV Asia, National Geographic, Star Movies, Star World, and Star Sports.

CASBAAs representatives from the Villaraza & Angangco Law Offices filed the complaints based on evidence gathered by the NBI-IPRD after intensive surveillance and the raid of the Maguindanao Skycable office and head-end. Satellite TV receivers, decoder boxes, smart cards and other equipment used to make the illegal transmissions were seized by the NBI-IPRD operatives during the raid in September.

With the filing of criminal charges the legitimate cable TV industry is demonstrating its full commitment to following through on enforcement actions. Pay-TV signal theft must be penalized as an unlawful practice, said CASBAA CEO Simon Twiston Davies.

While a significant number of cable operators engaging in unauthorized broadcasting expressed their intention to legitimize following the September raids (and they are to be applauded) there are others that continue to air copyrighted programs without authorization from the copyright owners. If obtaining convictions is the way to make ourselves heard and heeded, then this is the direction that we will resolutely take, said Mr Twiston Davies.

Mr Twiston Davies said that cable companies engaged in piracy unfairly compete with legitimate local pay-TV services providers who have properly obtained licenses from program owners. In addition, many such operators do not pay license fees and taxes which could help the government boost the domestic economy.

Last year the Philippine government lost some Peso 2.1 billion as a result of piracy in the pay-TV industry, Mr Twiston Davies disclosed. We want pirate cable operators to come clean and pay their fair share.

CASBAA continues to work closely with other stakeholders in the local industry who use legitimate programming as well as with government agencies like the National Telecommunications Commission and the Intellectual Property Office to curb signal theft.

###

NOTE
Under Section 217 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293), the directors and/or officers of a cable operator proved to have willingly and knowingly assented to the broadcast of illegally-obtained content face a jail term of up to three (3) years and fines amounting to Php 150, 000.00 for the first offense. The courts may also order a convicted operator to pay damages for economic losses resulting from the unauthorized broadcasting of copyrighted programs.

ABOUT CASBAA
The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia is an industry association dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel television via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific region. CASBAA represents some 110 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than 3 billion people. Member organizations include ABC Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO, AETN International (History Channel), AsiaSat, ASTRO (Malaysia), Bloomberg Television, Comverse, Discovery Networks Asia, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, NOW Broadband TV, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, Turner International Asia Pacific, UBC (Thailand), Walt Disney Television International, Zone Vision, Asian Food Channel, BBC World, China Entertainment Television, CNBC Asia, Dream, ESPN STAR Sports, Harmonic, Indovision, Kabelvision, SkyCable, TimeWarner, Anytime and TVBI.

Hong Kong, Taipei, June 12, 2006 — The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) today welcomed steps by Taiwans new pay-TV regulator, the National Communications Commission (NCC), to relax regulations impeding further development of the pay-TV market. On May 30th, the NCC announced its 2006 policy agenda including measures to liberalise pay-TV services within Taiwan. The international industry warmly welcomes the NCCs clear intention to assume its responsibilities and to effectively regulate Taiwans important television market, said CASBAA Chairman Marcel Fenez. After years of regulatory stagnation and political controversy the NCC has demonstrated a firm intention to take on some difficult but vital issues. The NCC “Executive Plans” for 2006 include the relaxation of tight regulation of cable bouquets and associated price constraints, the encouragement of competition among industry players and stimulating digitisation. In many respects the Plans are in line with positions outlined by CASBAA and other international business organisations during a February conference in Taipei held as the NCC was being established. It is encouraging that the NCC is taking notice of international trends in this industry. Taiwan has suffered for too long from limited consumer choice and slow technological development, said Mr Fenez. CASBAA believes that technology-neutral, internationally compatible, open, competitive, and market-driven regulatory regimes are needed to stimulate strong growth and better services for consumers. This is especially true of Taiwan and the islands 5.5 million pay-TV subscribers. John Medeiros, CASBAAs VP for Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs added that growth in Taiwan has been held back because of over-regulation and that it now had the opportunity to benefit from a new regulatory approach. ### ABOUT CASBAA – www.casbaa.com The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia is an industry-based advocacy group dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel TV via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA represents some 110 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than three billion people. Members include ABC Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO, AETN International (History Channel), AsiaSat, Astro, Bloomberg Television, China Entertainment Television, Comverse, Discovery Networks Asia, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, Macquarie, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, now Broadband TV, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, Turner International Asia Pacific, UBC, Walt Disney Television International, Zone Vision, Asian Food Channel, BBC World, ESPN STAR Sports, Eurosport, Hallmark Channel, Hong Kong Cable Television, HSBC Bank, Mindshare, Motorola, National Geographic, Paul Weiss, Starhub, Synovate, TimeWarner. Contact: Rebecca Kennedy / Katie Wong Communications CASBAA Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2854 9913 Fax: (852) 2854 9530 Email: pr@casbaa.com

Hong Kong, April 10, 2006 – The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) today announced eight new memberships of CASBAA, Asias leading regional multi-channel television industry body, drawn from the pay-TV platforms, content, technology and service provider sectors.

The new members include two regionally powerful pay-TV platforms, Austar of Australia and Orbit of Dubai, two sports TV networks Taj TV (Ten Sports) and Eurosport Asia, along with public policy consultancy APCO, investment bank Macquarie, satellite industry consultancy Euroconsult of Paris and Canadian law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon.

The new participation of pay-TV platforms such as Austar and Orbit speaks of a recognition that our industry needs a clear a voice when addressing regulatory issues, said Simon Twiston Davies, the CASBAA CEO.

The memberships taken out by Ten Sports and Eurosport indicate the appetite for new investment in Asian content, while the memberships signed by APCO, Euroconsult and Blake, Cassels and Graydon are an unequivocal vote of confidence in the future of Asias pay-TV market, said Mr Twiston Davies. The Patron membership taken out by Macquarie Bank is also a vote of investor confidence in our industry as well as the Association.

Meanwhile, in late 2005 billing specialist Comverse, satellite services provider Satlink, news channel Al Jazeera, food channel AFC, Taiwan-based cable operator China Network Systems, investment bank Standard Chartered and subscription satellite radio provider Worldspace India also joined CASBAA.

Our industry is increasing its reach and the issues we face are becoming more pressing, while the need to upgrade the information flow becomes ever more critical, said Mr. Twiston Davies. Working together with the common goal of improving the communications environment is a key objective.

###

ABOUT CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia is an industry-based advocacy group dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel TV via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA represents some 110 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than three billion people. Members include ABC Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO, AETN International (History Channel), AsiaSat, Astro (Malaysia), Bloomberg Television, China Entertainment Television, Comverse, Discovery Networks Asia, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, Macquarie, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, now Broadband TV, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, Turner International Asia Pacific, UBC (Thailand), Walt Disney Television International, Zone Vision, AGB Nielsen, Al Jazeera, Asian Food Channel, BBC World, ESPN STAR Sports, HSBC Bank, Intelsat, JSAT, National Geographic, Starhub, TimeWarner and TVBI.

Contact:
Rebecca Kennedy/ Katie Wong
Communications
CASBAA
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2854 9913
Fax: (852) 2854 9530
Email: pr@casbaa.com

Hong Kong, March 10, 2006 — The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) has welcomed an announcement by the Hong Kong Government that it will begin a three-month consultation process on the establishment of a unified regulator for the electronic communications sector in the HKSAR.

“It is encouraging to see Hong Kong rationalising its approach to regulation, taking into account the digital revolution” said CASBAA CEO Simon Twiston Davies. We certainly support the concept of a converged regulatory environment in Asia Pacific markets and see models such as OFCOM in the United Kingdom addressing many of the complex issues arising from converged distribution. However, we also reinforce our position that a non-intrusive stance is the best for industry and the community at large.”

In a recent report CASBAA assessed the regulatory environment for the pay-TV industry across Asia and found that Hong Kong had one of the most effective regulatory environments in the region. “We give full credit to Hong Kong for working to retain its position as a regional leader,” said Mr Twiston Davies.

###

The Government of the Hong Kong SAR launched a three-month consultation process on March 3, 2006.

Hong Kong, May 10, 2006 — The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) today welcomed a decision by Singapores Media Development Authority (MDA) to refrain from regulating exclusive pay-TV carriage agreements within the Lion City.

The CASBAA Chairman, Marcel Fenez, said: The MDA decision sends a positive signal to the investment and creative communities. It will foster the development of new content and a greater variety of services for consumers.

This is an important and transparent ruling taken after detailed study, including industry consultation and extensive market research. We particularly welcome this process.

The MDA determination came after three years of study and debate on the impact of exclusive carriage contracts on the pay-TV marketplace. CASBAA participated in the consultations, along with other industry players.

CASBAA believes that exclusivity permits pay-TV content providers and pay-TV platform operators to differentiate their products. The Association notes that government intervention in contractual arrangements can restrict this important competitive feature, resulting in less investment and C in the long run C less consumer choice.

Moreover, said Mr Fenez the reaffirmation of the importance of open and competitive markets highlights the route we believe all governments should take.

###

Note: Singapores Media Development Authority (MDA) today announced the results of a detailed investigation into exclusivity on pay-TV networks, concluding that exclusive carriage agreements per se do not substantially foreclose potential entrants access to key content for the pay-TV market in Singapore.

ABOUT CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia is an industry-based advocacy group dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel TV via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA represents some 110 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than three billion people. Members include ABC Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO, AETN International (History Channel), AsiaSat, Astro, Bloomberg Television, China Entertainment Television, Comverse, Discovery Networks Asia, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, Macquarie, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, now Broadband TV, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, Turner International Asia Pacific, UBC, Walt Disney Television International, Zone Vision, AGB Nielsen, Al Jazeera, Asian Food Channel, BBC Prime, BT Singapore, ESPN STAR Sports, HSBC Bank, Intelsat, JSAT, Media Development Authority, MediaCorp News, National Geographic, Paul Weiss, Starhub, TimeWarner and TVBI.

Contact:
Rebecca Kennedy/ Katie Wong
Communications
CASBAA
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2854 9913
Fax: (852) 2854 9530
Email: pr@casbaa.com

Hong Kong & Beijing, March 9, 2006 — China International Television Corp (CITV) and the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) are pleased to announce details of the second annual China International Sports Television Forum in Beijing on Thursday August 24th, 2006.

Themed New Definitions: The Sports TV Digital Revolution, the Forum is hosted by the State Administration of Radio, Film & Television (SARFT) and co-organized by CASBAA with CITV, the commercial arm of the state broadcaster CCTV, in association with CITV Sports Promotion Limited Corporation (CITVSP). The event media partner is national sports TV network CCTV-5.

Sessions will cover sports television and economic development, sports branding and sponsorship for China, as well as new media opportunities and the lessons learned from the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. The day will wrap-up with a high-powered CEO panel looking at the future of sports television production and HDTV.

“This is a uniquely exciting time for sports broadcasting in China in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing games”, said Mr Li Jian, the President of CITV. “China has made great progress to lay the foundations of a modern sports television market that can be a major force for economic change and industry progress. In a rapidly evolving broadcast market, this Forum provides a rare opportunity to examine the best business models and technologies internationally that can be brought to the China market. ”

“The China International Sports TV Forum has already established itself as the pre-eminent event for China’s burgeoning sports television industry”, said Marcel Fenez, the chairman of CASBAA and Asia Pacific Leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers Entertainment and Media Practice.

“As a regional industry organization devoted to the advancement of multi-channel television, CASBAA is delighted to once again partner with CITV, forging yet closer mainland relationships. Last year’s inaugural Sports TV Forum drew an unparalleled gathering of decision makers in the global sports industry and we expect this year to be even better.”

The speaker line-up for the one-day conference at the Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing includes CEOs and representatives from companies and organizations in Asia, the Middle East, North America and Europe.

Participants will include CCTV, Beijing Olympic Broadcasting (BoB), the Beijing Olympic Committee Organizing Group (BOCOG) and representatives of national Chinese and European sports bodies, along with global sports TV networks and sports management teams. Other speakers and delegates will be drawn from the wireless, broadband and HDTV sectors.

ABOUT CASBAA – www.casbaa.com
The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia is an industry-based advocacy group dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel TV via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA represents some 110 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than three billion people. Members include ABC Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO, AETN International (History Channel), AsiaSat, Astro (Malaysia), Bloomberg Television, China Entertainment Television, Comverse, Discovery Networks Asia, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, now Broadband TV, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, Turner International Asia Pacific, UBC (Thailand), Walt Disney Television International, Zone Vision, Asian Food Channel, BBC World, Cosmedia, CSM Media Research, ESPN STAR Sports, HSBC Bank, National Geographic, Starhub, TimeWarner and TVBI.

ABOUT CITVC

Established in 1984, CITVC is a wholly stated-owned enterprise invested by China Central Television (CCTV). Since its reorganization of assets and restructuring in 1997, CITVC has developed into a media conglomerate. Its major businesses include television program production and distribution, the advertisement agency for CCTV, channel management, television technical services, new media development, television rating and other professional investigations and consultations. It also involves itself in industrial and capital investments. CITVC has now become one of the biggest and strongest media industrial group corporations in China’s mainland.

CONTACTS:

CITVC

Fang Li

Tel: +8610 8824 4240

Fax: +8610 8824 3347

Email: cctv5@vip.sina.com

CASBAA

Rebecca Kennedy / Katie Wong

Communications Team

Tel: +852 2854 9913

Fax: +852 2854 9530

Email: pr@casbaa.com

Manila, Philippines, January 9, 2006 — The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) today announced that it has filed 12 new copyright infringement actions at the Department of Justice in Manila against Maguindanao Skycable, a cable TV operator based in Cotabato City.

Maguindanao Skycable is one of several cable operators raided in September 2005 by the National Bureau of Investigation – Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD) for illegally acquiring and transmitting copyrighted programming from major broadcasting organizations.

According to CASBAA, despite the NBI-led raids last September, the Cotabato-based cable operator has continued to air numerous cable channels without the necessary authorization from the owners.

CASBAA, a regional association of 110 pay-TV companies, filed the complaints on behalf of members owning the copyright for channels AXN, CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, the Disney Channel, ESPN, Star Sports, HBO Asia, MTV Asia, National Geographic, Star Movies, Star World and Star Sports.

CASBAAs representatives filed the complaints based on evidence gathered by the NBI-IPRD after intensive surveillance and the raid of the Maguindanao Skycable office and head-end. Satellite TV receivers, decoder boxes, smart cards and other equipment used to make the illegal transmissions were seized by the NBI-IPRD operatives during the raid in September.

With the filing of criminal charges the legitimate cable TV industry is demonstrating full commitment to following through on enforcement actions. Pay-TV signal theft must be penalized as an unlawful practice, said CASBAA CEO Simon Twiston Davies.

While a significant number of cable operators engaging in unauthorized broadcasting expressed their intention to legitimize following the September raids (and they are to be applauded) there are others that continue to air copyrighted programs without authorization from the copyright owners. If obtaining convictions is the way to make ourselves heard and heeded, then this is the direction that we will resolutely take, said Mr Twiston Davies.

Mr Twiston Davies said that cable companies engaged in piracy unfairly compete with legitimate local pay-TV services providers who have properly obtained licenses from program owners. In addition, many such operators do not pay license fees and taxes which could help the government boost the domestic economy.

Last year the Philippine government lost some Peso 2.1 billion as a result of piracy in the pay-TV industry, Mr Twiston Davies disclosed. We want pirate cable operators to come clean and pay their fair share.

CASBAA continues to work closely with other stakeholders in the local industry who use legitimate programming as well as with government agencies like the National Telecommunications Commission and the Intellectual Property Office to curb signal theft.

###

NOTE
Under Section 217 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293), the directors and/or officers of a cable operator proved to have willingly and knowingly assented to the broadcast of illegally-obtained content face a jail term of up to three (3) years and fines amounting to Php 150, 000.00 for the first offense. The courts may also order a convicted operator to pay damages for economic losses resulting from the unauthorized broadcasting of copyrighted programs.

ABOUT CASBAA
The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia is an industry association dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel television via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific region. CASBAA represents some 110 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than 3 billion people. Member organizations include ABC Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO, AETN International (History Channel), AsiaSat, ASTRO (Malaysia), Bloomberg Television, Comverse, Discovery Networks Asia, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, NOW Broadband TV, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, Turner International Asia Pacific, UBC (Thailand), Walt Disney Television International, Zone Vision, Asian Food Channel, BBC World, China Entertainment Television, CNBC Asia, Dream, ESPN STAR Sports, Harmonic, Indovision, Kabelvision, SkyCable, TimeWarner, Anytime and TVBI.

CONTACT
Rebecca Kennedy / Katie Wong

Communications, CASBAA

Tel: +852 2854 9913

Fax: +852 2854 9530

Email: pr@casbaa.com

Hong Kong, June 8, 2006 — The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) has once again urged the Hong Kong hospitality sector to boost legitimate entertainment and sports industries, and not engage in signal piracy.

As part of its long-term campaign, CASBAA and its members are seeking to further raise the consciousness of bars and clubs in Hong Kong that screening pay-TV services without legal subscriptions means they are operating outside of the law.

With the launch of the FIFA World Cup soccer competition in sight this Friday, CASBAA has reminded some 300 bars and clubs that legal action can be taken against those who air unlicensed pay-television broadcasts that infringe copyrights and the Hong Kong Broadcasting Ordinance.

The 300 advisory letters to the bars and clubs, including private members clubs, note that pay-TV television signal theft is not to be tolerated by government or industry.

Meanwhile, CASBAA commented that some progress is being made. During the past year, some bar owners have given undertakings to cease screening illegal TV broadcasts.

We commend those who screen only legitimate pay television broadcasts, said Marcel Fenez, Chairman of CASBAA. And we continue to encourage bar-goers to contribute to Hong Kongs economy by giving their patronage to businesses airing legal, Hong Kong-licensed TV services. Certainly we want the community to enjoy the World Cup, but to do so in a way that ensures adequate remuneration to Hong Kongs service providers and the sports leagues who stage the games.

Under Hong Kong law, bars and clubs may only display pay-TV channels, under an appropriate subscription from a Hong Kong licensed pay-TV operator such as i-Cable or now Television. Other pay-TV operators such as UBC of Thailand, MultiChoice of South Africa and Dream of the Philippines are not authorised to offer pay-TV subscriptions in Hong Kong.

###

ABOUT CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia is an industry-based advocacy group dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel TV via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA represents some 110 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than three billion people. Members include ABC Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO, AETN International (History Channel), AsiaSat, Astro, Bloomberg Television, China Entertainment Television, Comverse, Discovery Networks Asia, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, Macquarie, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, now Broadband TV, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, Turner International Asia Pacific, UBC, Walt Disney Television International, Zone Vision, AGB Nielsen, Asian Food Channel, BBC Prime, ESPN STAR Sports, Eurosport, Hallmark Channel, Hong Kong Cable Television, HSBC Bank, National Geographic, Paul Weiss, TimeWarner, TVBI and TVB Pay Vision.

Contact:
Rebecca Kennedy/ Katie Wong
Communications
CASBAA
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2854 9913
Fax: (852) 2854 9530
Email: pr@casbaa.com

Singapore, July 4, 2006 — The 2006 CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum featured calls for governments to lower regulatory barriers to the provision of cross-border satellite services or face the prospect of international satellite providers re-directing new capacity away from Asia.

Patience has reached a critical point over regulatory stalemates in key markets such as China and India, delegates heard at the CASBAA Forum in Singapore. If global operators feel forced to re-target their payloads because of a lack of potential market access, it will be the end-users in the domestic markets who feel the burden through higher charges, the more than 200 delegates were told.

The warnings came at a time when advances in digital technologies are providing multiple new opportunities for the delivery of satellite services.

Leading the way globally in satellite mobile television is SK Telecom of Korea which now has 550,000 subscribers to its TU Media service. Similar projects are now planned for a number of Asian markets. New DTH services are being launched in Indonesia and India, while IPTV broadband via satellite and HDTV opportunities have added to unprecedented demand for new satellite capacity.

There are tremendous opportunities in Asia today and for the coming years, said William Wade, Chairman of the CASBAA Satellite Industry Committee and Deputy CEO of AsiaSat.

But for this potential to be realised there is a need for more competition, more open market access (Open Skies) and a change of mindset by governments, delegates heard.

Even though the regulatory environment is generally stable, the interpretation of the rules tends more and more to favour restricted access, noted Deepak Mathur, Vice President Market Development, South Asia at SES Global. This is a really serious challenge.

While telecom markets such as cellular services have unleashed widespread competition, all too often Asia Pacific satellite markets remain constrained by the concept of protecting national incumbents or flagship monopolies.

This should be a thing of the past, said Phil Spector, Executive Vice President and General Council at global satellite operator Intelsat. Mr Spector added that the international satellite community is already operating in the newly competitive world: The days of build and they will come have long gone, he said.

Connie Carnabuci, Partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer said if a harmonised approach to reform is adopted it can deliver positive outcomes.

Such outcomes include greater economies of scale for operators, local user capacity at cheaper prices and help rural users gain access. I am not just referring to pay-TV services, but to the other benefits of satellite delivery, including tele-medicine and disaster recovery, she said.

Delivering the keynote address at the CASBAA Forum, Hao Wei Min, the Vice Chairman of the China Association of Communication Enterprises, said satellite is an important instrument for China to provide rural connectivity as part of the governments five-year plan. This year some 20,000 villages will be connected via satellite and by 2007 we will have 100% connectivity, he said.

Commenting on the sixth CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum in Singapore, CASBAA Chairman Marcel Fenez, said the satellite industry, and CASBAA members in particular, are benefiting hugely from the explosion of demand for video content over all kinds of networks.

###

ABOUT CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia is an industry-based advocacy group dedicated to the promotion of multi-channel TV via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA represents some 110 Asia-based corporations, which in turn serve more than three billion people. Members include ABC Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO, AETN International (History Channel), AsiaSat, Astro, Bloomberg Television, China Entertainment Television, Comverse, Discovery Networks Asia, EMC, HBO Asia, IBM, Macquarie, Motorola, MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Nokia, now Broadband TV, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sony Pictures Television International, STAR Group, Sun Microsystems, Turner International Asia Pacific, UBC (Thailand), Walt Disney Television International, Zone Vision, AGB Nielsen, Al Jazeera, Arianspace, Asian Food Channel, BBC Prime, Boeing Space Systems International, EADS Astrium, ESPN STAR Sports, Eutelsat, HSBC Bank, ILS, Intelsat, JSAT, Lockheed Martin, Loral Skynet, Mabuhay Satellite, MEASAT, National Geographic, Orbit Satellite TV & Radio Network, PanAmSat, Paul Weiss, Satlink, SES Global, Shin Satellite and Starhub.

Contact:
Rebecca Kennedy / Katie Wong
Communications
CASBAA
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2854 9913
Fax: (852) 2854 9530
Email: pr@casbaa.com