Cable and satellite
The field of broadcasting regulation also includes radio and television broadcasting through cable networks (cable broadcasting) and via satellite (satellite broadcasting).
Cable broadcasting, or the retransmission of radio or television programs, is only subject to a notification requirement. Only satellite broadcasters which are established in Austria require a license from KommAustria. Therefore, not every channel which can be received in Austria is actually licensed and supervised by the Austrian regulatory authority.
Applicants are required to secure transmission capacity for satellite broadcasting by concluding the relevant agreements with a satellite operator, and to provide the authority with evidence of such agreements. Unlike terrestrial radio, the transmission capacity – specifically the satellite transponder and planned frequency – is not put out to public tender by the regulatory authority or allocated after a selection procedure among multiple applicants; instead, the license is issued to the original applicant as long as the legal requirements regarding programming and qualifications are fulfilled.
For more information, please refer to the following sections of the RTR web site: