LOCAL television company Mai TV has welcomed the Spectrum Decree 2009.
The new decree allows for the radio frequency spectrum in Fiji to be allocated equitably to television and radio services and other forms of communications.
MAI TV chief executive officer Richard Broadbridge said while the decision could be seen as interference, it was a bold move that his company welcomed.
"MAI TV launched one and a half years ago using UHF (ultra-high frequency) as we were told by the Department of Communications there were no VHF (very high frequency) channels available," Mr Broadbridge said.
"Further enquiries revealed that one broadcaster in particular held onto more VHF channels than they needed."
Mr Broadbridge said the new decree was a step in the right direction towards ensuring all broadcasters were treated fairly and that television and radio services were available to users easier and cheaper.
Mai TV exclusively aired Fiji's games at the Rugby League World Cup last year and has announced plans to air all games at the Soccer World Cup in South Africa next year.
According to the Department of Communications, while licensees and users of spectrum could continue using the spectrum they had been using, such use would be subject to determination.
It said this may or may not mean the reallocation (loss, change of band) of spectrum.
The ministry said licensees and unlicensed users were required to disclose the extent of their use of spectrum by a certain date.
That disclosure, the ministry said, would allow the Department of Communications to carry out the exercise of spectrum allocation and reallocation.
