Dream Satellite warns public against buying unregistered digital receivers

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Multi-Media Systems, which owns and operates Dream Satellite TV, has warned the public against commercial establishment that sell unregistered digital receivers or set top boxes because they are illegal and subject to confiscation.

Manuel F. Abellada, PMSI president, said there are easy ways to determine whether a digital receiver or set top box is illegal and therefore should be avoided by the buying public.

The first test, he explained, is when the illegal dealer offers the customer free subscription. Free subscription is usually the enticement to unsuspecting customers.

The second test, he said, is when an illegal dealer offers his digital receiver or set top box at a much lower price compared to the standard price of registered and authorized dealers.

Abellada said illegal commercial establishment in Metro Manila and other parts of the country have been resorting to a variety of modus operandi to access to Dream Satellite TV and evade the monthly service subscription.

The proliferation of set top boxes or decoder brands constitutes loss of government revenue due to non-payment of duties and taxes, as these boxes and decoders are smuggled into the country, PMSI said.

The company urged the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue to urgently look into the matter because of its adverse impact on the economy, especially now that the government needs more revenues to cope with the global economic crisis.