<ul><li><keyword id="94550" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Sky">Tata Sky</keyword> will soon launch new set-top boxes with integrated Over The Top (OTT) services like <keyword id="128682" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword>, Amazon Prime and Hotstar. </li><li>Tata Sky CEO <keyword id="171940" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Harit-Nagpal">Harit Nagpal</keyword> believes the Indian market won’t abandon cable completely if such hybrid devices are made available. </li><li>The new set-top box will be in direct competition with Airtel Internet TV.</li></ul>Tata Sky may soon make Over The Top (OTT) services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hotstar available on your television screens, according to the company’s managing director and chief executive officer Harit <keyword id="1585" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nagpal">Nagpal</keyword>. In an interview with the <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Companies/nqeXsdgv5d4bUeY16LTwHP/Tata-Sky-will-be-the-supplier-of-Netflix-Hotstar-Amazon-Pr.html">Mint</a>, Nagpal said that services like Netflix, Hotstar, YouTube and Amazon Prime will available through a new hardware box. The new set-top box will not only have the ability to stream from satellite, but broadband as well. However, how exactly the integration will work was not shared. As with previous Tata Sky set-top boxes, the upgrade <a href="https://www.mysmartprice.com/gear/2018/05/22/tata-sky-hotstar-amazon-prime-netflix/">probably</a> won’t be free. There’s been a lot of talk about how the cable industry would survive the onslaught on online content but Nagpal believes that the cable television in India doesn’t face much competition from Over The Top (OTT) services. The cheaper prices keep people from switching over to OTT services like Netflix. He hopes that the marriage between the two platforms will also help in that regard, especially since their hybrid device, the new set-top box, will provide more options than watching conventional TV channels. The increase in internet speeds and accessibility played big roles in the <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/the-ott-play/703996/">popularity</a> of OTT services in India. Not the first Tata Sky won’t be the first cable company to embark on such an endeavour. Airtel had, in April 2017, <a href="http://www.bgr.in/news/airtel-internet-tv-will-make-your-tv-smarter-but-should-you-upgrade-right-away/">launched</a> their Airtel Internet TV which streams digital content alongside conventional TV channels. It was the first set-top device in India to run on Android. Users need their own subscriptions to the OTT services but Airtel allows direct streaming from Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Alt Balaji and YouTube. It basically gives you the ability to <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/reviews/story/airtel-internet-tv-review-future-forward-but-with-compromises-1025074-2017-07-19">switch</a> between the conventional <keyword id="130486" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel-Digital-TV">Airtel Digital TV</keyword> interface and the Android TV interface. Speaking of basic Wi-Fi connectivity, <keyword id="124187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Videocon-D2H">Videocon D2H</keyword> has their own <a href="https://www.videocond2h.com/news-details.php?id=131">Wi-Fi SMART HD</a> set-top box that allows users to surf the internet while providing access to selected apps like Daily Motion and Twitter. Either way, the innovative edge of Tata Sky will be defined not by providing OTT services on their platform, but by how they go about achieving such a feat.

One of the largest satellite TV providers in India is serving customers Netflix and Prime Video

<ul><li>The ad film captures the iconic songs and dialogues from television’s famous shows and moments to take audiences on a nostalgic trip.</li><li>Tata Sky’s campaign with Yashraj Mukhate has garnered over 2.6 Million Video views</li></ul>Nothing stirs our emotions quite like television, taking us on a joyride of storytelling that dishes us happiness, heartbreak and stomach cramping laughter all with the flick of the remote. Celebrating <keyword id="5997348" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-television-day">World Television Day</keyword>, Tata Sky, launched the campaign #YahaSabDekha conceptualized by Chimp&amp;z Inc. The campaign features an original mashup track from the internet and social media sensation Yashraj Mukhate. The campaign film uses a mix of illustrations and real imagery, capturing memorable moments and the most-beloved characters and scenes from different genres of entertainment. Presented in Yashraj’s signature style, the imagery was woven together with original lyrics, delivering a distinctive composition that promises to strike a chord with viewers and netizens. The campaign was released across Tata Sky’s social media handles on 21st November, World Television Day and was simultaneously shared by Yashraj on his social channels. Owing to its trendy format with a touch of nostalgia, the mashup track garnered favor among millennials, resulting in over 2.6 Million Video views and is still gaining momentum. <div type="Youtube" id="Cl9gA58E11I" title="Tata Sky | World Television Day feat. Yashraj Mukhate #YahaSabDekha" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Cl9gA58E11I/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Commenting on the campaign Anurag Kumar, Chief Communications Officer, Tata Sky said, “Television is the primary platform of content consumption in India and has been a source of joy and entertainment for the nation. This World Television Day, we celebrate the anniversary of TV- our constant companion through decades and pay tribute to the evergreen days of entertainment which every generation can relate to. For the campaign #YahaSabDekha, we have partnered with Yashraj Mukhate to deliver our thoughts in the most trendy and distinctive style that syncs well with our social media savvy audience.” Angad Singh Manchanda, CEO &amp; Co-founder of Chimp&amp;z Inc said, “The idea of collaborating with Yashraj Mukhate was in the pipeline for some time and <keyword id="7050855" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-TV-day">World TV Day</keyword> came as the right opportunity. #YahaSabDekha serves as a reminder to all of us that even amidst the plethora of options available for entertainment, the golden days of television remain unfazed and fresh in our memories. The song rendition is a testament to our childhood.”

Tata Sky celebrates World Television Day with Yashraj Mukhate

Super 30 founder and noted mathematician Anand Kumar has urged the HRD ministry to launch a 24x7 <keyword id="6355445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="education">education</keyword> channel – 'Doordarshan Education' for students belonging to different sections of society as not everyone has access to online learning amid the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown. Known for his highly successful and famed Super 30 programme, which nurtures 30 students from underprivileged sections every year for IIT-JEE entrance test with a phenomenal success rate, Kumar has reached out to HRD Minister <keyword id="60487" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ramesh-Pokhriyal">Ramesh Pokhriyal</keyword> 'Nishank' saying an exclusive education channel from DD would be of immense help to students across the country. "India, like rest of the world, is in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic. The much-needed lockdown to save lives has worked, but it has caused huge disruption in education of our students," Kumar said. "Though many institutions are trying to adopt online means, it is not immediately feasible keeping in view the huge variation in the socio-economic condition of a large section of students, with a good chunk barely able to continue their studies due to low-cost government education system," he said. "Under these circumstances, expecting all the students cutting across different economic strata to avail the facility of online education and equally benefit does not seem practical. It requires a decent system or a smart phone and good internet connectivity, all of which come at a cost. All the institutions are also not prepared for online education, though many of them are trying their best," he added. Kumar further said he has urged the HRD minister to come up with an exclusive 24x7 Doordarshan education channel, like DD Kisan, which is totally devoted to the needs of farmers. "It could be a game changer for the students without any extra cost to them. Every household now a days has a television set and having an exclusive DD education channel, with separate time slots for different classes, will be easily accessible to people of all economic strata across the country. "It can also have motivational talks and counselling sessions for students and teach them about online benefits to groom them for future. But most importantly, it can cater to educational needs of students," he said. Kumar's current batch, is yet to appear for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) as it has been postponed due to COVID-19 lockdown. "I usually start the process for selecting next batch in April but it has been delayed. I am conducting various classes through different mediums and will soon come up with a reasonable solution about how to select the next batch and the timeline," he said. Universities and schools across the country have been closed since March 16 when the central government announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as one of the measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Later, a nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24, which has now been extended till May 3. The HRD ministry is reaching out to students through its SWAYAM PRABHA which is a group of 32 DTH channels providing quality educational curriculum-based course contents covering diverse disciplines such as arts, science, commerce, social sciences and humanities subjects, engineering, medicine and agriculture to all teachers, students and citizens across the country interested in lifelong learning. While earlier these channels were available only on DD-DTH, Dish TV and Jio TV App, <keyword id="94550" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Sky">Tata Sky</keyword> and <keyword id="279704" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel-DTH">Airtel DTH</keyword> had agreed to government's request of airing three of these channels during lockdown. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75470090" title="Gurugram officials announce new stricter guidelines restricting movement from May 1" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Anand Kumar of Super 30 fame urges government to launch 'Doordarshan Education' amid lockdown

<ul><li>Zee has introduced a new content consumption medium for consumers &amp; film distribution model for producers.</li><li>It has partnered with distribution players including Dish D2H, <keyword id="94550" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Sky">Tata Sky</keyword> and Airtel Digital TV, as well as key distribution platforms in the international markets. </li><li>The service will also be available on the OTT Platform - <keyword id="6245082" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ZEE5">ZEE5</keyword>, in India &amp; overseas.</li></ul><keyword id="174248" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zee-Entertainment-Enterprises-Ltd">Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd</keyword>. (ZEE) has launched its ‘<keyword id="9863712" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="cinema2home">Cinema2Home</keyword>’ (C2H) service, <keyword id="9862721" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="zee-plex">Zee Plex</keyword>. This new offering will help consumers watch new releases sitting at home, at an 'attractive (per film) price point'. A release from the organization said that along with convenience for consumers, this new movie distribution model will enhance the overall commercial ecosystem for the film producers, enabling them to present their creative work, to a wider range of audiences on established entertainment platforms. Speaking about this new initiative, <keyword id="163696" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shariq-Patel">Shariq Patel</keyword>, CEO, Zee Studios said, “We are very excited to bring this new offering to all the movie buffs across India and around the globe. While we all love to catch the latest movies at the nearest theatres, we sensed the need for a solution like Zee Plex, which gives the consumers flexibility and convenience, to catch their favourite films in the comfort of their homes, along with friends and family. We have received great interest from producers and are looking forward to release a strong slate of blockbusters across languages.” <keyword id="529229" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Atul-Das">Atul Das</keyword>, Chief Revenue Officer – Affiliate Sales, ZEE added, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of Zee Plex, a first of its kind service for movie lovers. This would be available in India from October 2 as a Pay Per View service to subscribers of leading distribution platforms like Dish D2h, Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV. We believe Zee Plex will provide another opportunity for our partners to offer a unique and pioneering service to their consumers across different languages. We very much look forward to developing this opportunity in the coming years.” With new releases every month, Zee Plex aims to bring the theatres right to the consumers’ homes, offering them a quality family viewing experience at an attractive price-point. ZEE has partnered with leading television distribution platforms in India and has also established strategic alliances with distribution partners in the international markets. Zee Plex as a C2H service, will also be available on ZEE5 (ZEE’s OTT Platform) globally. Key highlight of Zee Plex: o On Television, the service will be available on leading distribution platforms in India and established content distribution networks across the globe. o The service will be available 24x7 and feature shows at various intervals through the day giving consumers the required flexibility. o Consumers will also be able to book their movie shows well in advance prior to release date. o On Digital platforms, the service will be available on ZEE5, in India and overseas markets. o The C2H service will be offered at an attractive price point. o Consumers will be able to watch any new movie release along with their family with a single ticket. o Users will have multiple payment options to purchase their favourite movie.

Zee launches Zee Plex, its ‘Cinema2Home’ service

<ul><li>ISRO’s GSAT-30 will launch on 17 January. </li><li>The satellite will replace the INSAT-4A satellite currently used by cable operators like Tatasky and STAR group to broadcast their channel overseas. </li><li>It will provide extended coverage in the C-band, which will help increase coverage over India, its islands, Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia. </li></ul>Internet connectivity, streaming services and watching videos on the go has many people taking television services for granted. Yet cable television is still the main source of information for a lot of people who can’t necessarily afford the internet or live in areas with sparse connectivity. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (<a href="https://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/gsat-30">ISRO</a>) GSAT-30 will launch on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isro-gsat-30-launch-on-january-17-with-european-space-agency/articleshow/73184551.cms">launch on 17 January 2019</a> and it will be the first Indian satellite to be sent into space this year. It will act as the replacement for India’s INSAT-4A satellite — one of the first satellites that India ever launched. INSAT-4A’s usage of the Ku-band and C-band is how cable operators like <a href="https://www.dthhelp.net/tatasky-channel-list">Tatasky</a> or the STAR group make their broadcasts available abroad. The GSAT-30 will allow them to continue that coverage. "It provides extended coverage in C-band, which helps the television broadcasted to beam their programme over India, Gulf countries, a large number of Asian countries and Australia," says ISRO. INSAT-4A living on borrowed time INSAT-4A was launched in 2005 and designed to last 12 years. Fifteen years later, the satellite’s still running. The satellite efficient conservation fuel consumption is in part due to how that function was designed by Bajaj Platina’s R&amp;D team. The GSAT-30 was already supposed to be up in orbit in June last year, but its launch was pushed to 2020 as ISRO focussed on launching military satellites to boost strategic assets in space. Initially speculated to launch mid-2020, Arianespace — the commercial arm of the European Space Agency (ESA) — <a href="https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/1201892408671252480">announced</a> that it will be carrying GSAT-30 into Earth’s lower orbit in January. "GSAT-30 will be extensively used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinking and teleport services, digital satellite news gathering (DSNG), DTH television services, cellular backhaul connectivity and many such applications," says ISRO. Now, the satellite is scheduled to launch on January 17 from ESA’s Kourou launch base in French Guiana on board the Ariane-5 rocket. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isro-gsat-30-launch-on-january-17-with-european-space-agency/articleshow/73184551.cms">India and Europe get ready to launch ISRO's GSAT 30 satellite</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-outlook-2020-indian-private-sector-eyes-30-billion-space-launch-pie/articleshow/72812429.cms">ISRO outlook 2020: Indian private sector eyes $30 billion space launch pie</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chandrayaan-3-and-gaganyaan-top-priorities-for-isro-in-2020/articleshow/73063629.cms">India's second mission to land on the Moon, Chandrayaan 3, confirmed by ISRO chief</a>

ISRO's first launch of 2020 will ensure Indians settled abroad can continue to watch Tata Sky, Star channels and more

<ul><li>Global technology companies <keyword id="6355629" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="google">Google</keyword>, <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>, <keyword id="6354616" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword>, and <keyword id="6354576" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="facebook">Facebook</keyword>, remain apprehensive about India’s new data laws after being questioned by India’s <keyword id="74228" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Joint-Parliamentary-Committee">Joint Parliamentary Committee</keyword> (JPC) on the Personal Data Protection Bill this week.</li><li>The only indigenous company to be called for deposition for far, Paytm, told the committee that it’s open to regulation.</li><li>All these companies have been given one week to prepare formal responses and submit affidavits. </li></ul>India’s Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has been questioning Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Google, and even Paytm over concerns regarding data protection and data privacy. The JPC may also <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/parliamentary-panel-to-meet-airtel-on-data-protection-bill-11603966666145.html">reportedly</a> summon India’s top two telecom giants, <keyword id="6354504" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance-jio">Reliance Jio</keyword> and <keyword id="15491" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel">Airtel</keyword>, and cab-hailing services, Uber and Ola, next week. While Paytm has welcomed India’s new Personal Data Protection Bill, Google, Twitter, and Amazon have shown some restraint. Google’s response may have been more positive than the others, but it does not imply its undivided support. The consultation process is meant to increase the country’s understanding of how these companies use, store and mobilise data, according to the JPC’s chairperson Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Meenakshi Lekhi. <div type="image" title="googleplus_edited" msid="78949846" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Google&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Google Google’s representatives asserted that the Personal Data Protection Bill, once enacted, would strengthen the framework around data privacy and security in India. However, the global tech giant maintained that the move to localise data isn’t in the best interests of data protection and data privacy, according to the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jpc-questions-google-paytm-over-china-links/story-fJcEdDh2hyWSwvzyLVr0CJ.html">Hindustan Times. </a>Google highlighted that localization of data would be at odds with open trade and modern-day data protection standards. It submitted a 25-page report arguing its stance. However, it held no sway with the committee. The JPC questioned Google over its relationship with China — and the Chinese Navy in particular. It was also asked about its market control when it comes to the smartphone market since more than 90% of smartphones manufactured worldwide use Google’s Android platform as their operating system. Considering the mountain-high revenues the company generates in India, Google was asked if it thought the effective tax rate it paid was ‘absurdly low.’ Google evaded some questions and was unable to answer others. The head of the committee, Meenakshi Lekhi, has instructed the international giant to submit a detailed affidavit in one week. “They themselves are the platforms, sellers, and news agencies. And Google itself has the control button to which information will come first, which will come later or which news will flash and which will be suppressed. So how it can be a neutral platform?” Lekhi told PTI after the meeting. <div type="image" title="facebook" msid="78949862" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Facebook&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Facebook Facebook saw the exit of its public policy head in India, Ankhi Das, just a few days after her deposition. Das was grilled for two hours by the JPC on Monday and asked some tough and searching questions by the panel members from across the political spectrum, sources told PTI. According to the social media giant, India’s new data protection laws can propel the country’s digital economy and global digital trade. “We believe that India’s data protection law has the potential to propel the country’s digital economy and global digital trade, and we wholeheartedly support this effort,” said the company’s spokesperson. <div type="image" title="amazon" msid="78949879" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Amazon offices in India&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Amazon Amazon had earlier come under fire for declining the JPC’s invitation to appear because the company claimed it did not have anyone with the relevant expertise to address the committee’s concerns. However, yesterday, both Amazon India and Amazon Web Services showed up, according to <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/amazon-appears-before-joint-parliamentary-committee-following-misunderstanding-7327321.htm">CNBC TV-18.</a> The company claimed that the entire episode was a ‘misunderstanding’ due to international travel restrictions given the coronavirus pandemic. Amazon was questioned over its revenue model and how much tax it pays in India. And, since India is a considerable part of its revenue generation, the committee also questioned the company over how it reinvests back in the country. The JPC has asked Amazon to submit its answers in writing in one week. <div type="image" title="twitter 2 unsplash" msid="78949889" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Twitter&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Twitter Ahead of being questioned by the JPC, the social networking giant issued an apology for showing Leh as a part of China. The committee had earlier asked Twitter to submit a public apology and submit an affidavit regarding the issue. “Leh being shown as a part of China can be construed as an act of treason and is punishable with unto seven years of imprisonment,” Lekhi told <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/act-of-treason-parliament-panel-slams-twitter-on-leh-map-fiasco/story-kBG0bJcSHp2bQQblA1gbCJ.html">Hindustan Times</a>. “The committee was unanimous in flagging the issue and expressed its stern disapproval.” Twitter also came under fire for its practices regarding hate speech and taking down on accounts. According to PTI, Lekhi believes that Twitter may have a little too much control. ”Shadow banning, banning policy… there is no clarity about it. Such actions are very subjective... Twitter is becoming a law unto themselves, and under these circumstances, they are violating Article 19 of the Constitution about the freedom of expression,” she said. <div type="image" title="paytm" msid="78949896" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Paytm&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Paytm Paytm is the only indigenous company to have been summoned by the JPC so far. And, it went to the panel with its solution. Paytm pitched that the government should handle the encryption and decryption of data held by global companies while letting data cross borders. However, the proposal was quickly withdrawn after several objections by some of the members of the committee, according to <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/parliamentary-panel-question-paytm-about-chinese-investment-google-over-resisting-data-localisation/articleshow/78942848.cms">Times of India.</a> The Vijay Shekhar Sharma-led enterprise was asked about the quantum of Chinese investments it has received and why some of its revenues were directed back to China. It was also probed for details behind the temporary removal of its app from Google Play Store for violating its ‘gambling’ policies. Paytm acknowledged that 35% of its investment was Chinese but that investors don’t have any say in how the company is run. They also clarified that while some personal and sensitive data may be transferred outside India for ‘processing,’ this only occurs when there is explicit consent from the user. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/kepler-estimates-there-are-at-least-300-million-potentially-habitable-planets-within-the-milky-way-galaxy/articleshow/78946863.cms">Kepler estimates there are at least 300 million potentially habitable planets within the Milky Way galaxy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/mit-has-a-new-ai-model-that-can-detect-asymptomatic-covid-19-patients-just-by-the-using-the-sound-of-their-coughs-recorded-over-phone-calls/articleshow/78927475.cms">MIT has a new AI model that can detect asymptomatic COVID-19 patients just by the using the sound of their coughs recorded over phone calls</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tata-communications-executive-explains-how-iot-is-expanding-beyond-manufacturing-and-which-sectors-are-showing-the-fastest-growth/articleshow/78924587.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Tata Communications’ IoT head explains how COVID is driving the next wave of Internet of Things</a>

Google, Amazon, Twitter, and Facebook remain apprehensive about India’s new data laws but Paytm is open to regulation

<ul><li>Due to the lockdown, Indians are now spending more time than ever on social media, internet-based calling apps and watching original content.</li><li>The sudden change in lifestyles could lead to the emergence of new long-term trends like improved usage of apps and services.</li><li>These changes could provide new opportunities for telecom companies to improve their revenues.</li></ul>Instead of watching Game of Thrones on the loop, Indians are now watching more original content and web series. This is one of the many changes in mobile habits of Indians observed by a ICICI Securities report, and also could be one of the side-effects of an ‘absence of fresh sports’ content. After IPL has been indefinitely postponed, it looks like the love for originals is here to stay which is good news for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar and more. “Consumer behaviour may have undergone changes due to the sudden change in lifestyles during the past 21 days of lockdown, and there is a high probability of emergence of new long-term trends after things normalise.” said a report by ICICI Securities. The other changes in mobile usage habits are usual suspects -- more mobile games and more social media. If these changes are here to stay, they can create new opportunities and revenues for telecom companies. The most likely beneficiaries are Vodafone Idea, Airtel and Tata Communications, according to the report. India’s mobile habits are changing A recent BARC-Nielsen survey also threw up some interesting results, hinting that Indians are either discovering new categories, or are spending more time on those apps and services. Demand for original series doubled The demand for original series has increased by 123%, suggesting that there is a wide market for this content. These users are also spending 32% more time watching original content. The unavailability of fresh sports content has seen its demand plummet by 98%. <div type="image" title="VOD original series" msid="75152936" hostid="261"></div> Indians are spending 40% more time social networking After the lockdown, Indians are spending nearly 5 hours a week on social media as opposed to a little more than 3 hours prior to the lockdown. Similarly, use of internet-based voice calls has also increased to more than 5 hours per week, from less than 4 hours prior to the lockdown. <div type="image" title="Social media VOIP" msid="75152948" hostid="261"></div> Gaming and video on demand apps have also benefited Online gaming apps have also reaped the benefits of the lockdown, with a 15% increase in users per week and a 44% increase in the time spent per week. While users of Video on Demand (VOD) apps saw a marginal increase, the time spent streaming videos increased from 3.5 hours per week to 4 hours per week. This should lead to a considerable increase in data usage, since video streaming apps are data intensive. <div type="image" title="Gaming VOD apps" msid="75152966" hostid="261"></div> How telcos can gain from these changes Rise in internet literacy will drive usage A rise in internet literacy due to the use of new apps and services will improve subscriber loyalty, meaning they will keep coming back for more content. With all major telcos offering their own video on demand apps and services, improved subscriber loyalty will lead to an increase in usage and data consumption. Demand for fixed broadband services likely to increase The lockdown has resulted in an increase in time spent on VOD apps. This could translate to an increase in VOD content on smart TVs, using apps like Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Zee5 and more. Since smart TVs require a fixed broadband connection, this could lead to an increase in broadband users. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/tinder-bumble-ok-cupid-users-spike-as-lockdown-makes-users-date-from-home/articleshow/75136672.cms">As India dates from home, usage of Tinder, Bumble, OK Cupid spikes</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/doordarshan-received-174-million-views-from-four-episode-of-ramayan-in-2-days/articleshow/74964788.cms">Ramayan’s 170 million views from four episodes says India still can’t get over popular mythological shows from the 80s</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/top-fitness-apps-most-downloaded-on-smartphones-according-to-app-annie/articleshow/75116093.cms">Top fitness apps for the smartphone to keep exercising during lockdown</a>

India is changing its mobile habits and that can help Airtel and Vodafone

<ul><li>After the 42nd <keyword id="6355199" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance-industries">Reliance Industries</keyword> Limited (RIL) Annual General meeting yesterday, the company's stocks at trading at an 11% high today.</li><li>Chairman of RIL, <keyword id="3820" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</keyword>, announced the upcoming launch of <keyword id="4056036" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jio-Fiber">Jio Fiber</keyword> and its many features which has left its competitors in a lurch.</li><li>As a result, companies like Airtel, Tata Communications, PVR cinemas and Vodafone Idea are trading in the red.</li></ul>Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) saw the biggest intraday rise in its share price today driving shares up by 12% and taking the benchmark indices like Sensex and Nifty along with it. Nearly half of all stocks on these indices are in red but heavyweight Reliance alone has managed to keep mood afloat. The spike in RIL's share price has put it back in the race of becoming the highest valued Indian company trailing behind Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) by $1 billion. However, RIL's gains have come at a huge loss for many of its competitors in many different sectors. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/highlights-of-mukesh-ambani-speech-at-reliance-industries-agm/articleshow/70638299.cms">Chairman Mukesh Ambani's speech</a> laid out his vision for the company and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/reliance-jio-fired-up-as-mukesh-ambani-joins-hands-with-satya-nadellas-microsoft-to-challenge-jeff-bezos-in-india/articleshow/70641754.cms">every plan</a> of his came as a threat to one existing company or the other. Given its size, scale, its pile of cash and Ambani's deep pockets, anyone competing with Reliance Industries is expected to have a tough time. Jio Fibre, the frontier Ambani announced that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/reliance-jio-gigafiber-launch-heres-what-it-will-offer-consumers/articleshow/70630655.cms">Jio Fiber</a> will be launching commercially starting 5 September 2019 with plans that start at ₹700 with a minimum speed of 100 Mbps. Jio's competitors, Airtel and Vodafone Idea, are already feeling the pressure with their stocks taking a dip when the markets opened today morning. But both Airtel and Vodafone Idea have more to fear than just Jio Fibre. The Aramco energy Jio's mobile phone services has about 340 million subscribers as of now. Ambani is targeting to take this number to over 500 million over the next few months. That would mean Jio will remain an aggressive player in the market and that's bad news for other players like Airtel and Vodafone Idea. Given that RIL is getting additional cash from Aramco and BP, and if it becomes a zero net debt company by March 2021, the company of its size and scale will only have more money to muscle out other players with its aggressive pricing. Other telcos are already in deep trouble after having fought Jio in the market for nearly three years with higher discounts, funded by higher debt. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Stock </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Impact </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Airtel </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-5.28% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Vodafone Idea </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-6.54% </td></tr></tbody></table> Movie theaters feel the heat Ambani also announced that the Jio Fiber service will also include a feature called ‘<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/reliance-jio-fired-up-as-mukesh-ambani-joins-hands-with-satya-nadellas-microsoft-to-challenge-jeff-bezos-in-india/articleshow/70641754.cms">First Day First Show</a>'. Essentially, you'll be able to watch a film at home, the same time as it releases in theaters. <a href="https://twitter.com/INOXMovies/status/1161139021994758145">Inox</a>, responded to Ambani's announcement by stating that multiplex owners have exclusive theatrical window of eight weeks before a movie can be released on any other platform. Something, they point out, that is followed internationally. "We strongly believe that Indian move watchers' love for cinema on giant screen is deep rooted and unshakeable," the company said. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Stock </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Impact </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">PVR </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-4.10% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Inox Leisure Limited </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-4.11% </td></tr></tbody></table> And, then there's television The Jio Fiber service will come bundled with a 4K LED television and a set top box for premium customers. Ambani also said that he will throw in OTT subscriptions at no additional cost. So, it's your OTT services, cable services and broadband along with new devices — all wrapped into one. That would dwarf the current offerings from companies like Tata Communications, the company behind Tata Sky, and Dish TV. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Stock </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Impact </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Tata Communications </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-4.3% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Dish TV </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-3.21% </td></tr></tbody></table> See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/The-Indian-rupee-is-falling-fast-and-there-are-both-winners-and-losers/articleshow/70652166.cms" style="">The Indian rupee is falling fast-- and there are both winners and losers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mukesh-ambani-plans-to-connect-a-billion-devices-on-his-iot-platform-and-hes-not-only-talking-about-light-bulbs/articleshow/70643115.cms">Mukesh Ambani plans to connect a billion devices on his IoT platform — and he isn't only talking about light bulbs</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/highlights-of-mukesh-ambani-speech-at-reliance-industries-agm/articleshow/70638299.cms">Mukesh Ambani's speech at the Reliance Industries AGM had ten big takeaways</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/reliance-jio-fired-up-as-mukesh-ambani-joins-hands-with-satya-nadellas-microsoft-to-challenge-jeff-bezos-in-india/articleshow/70641754.cms">Reliance Jio fired up as Mukesh Ambani joins hands with Satya Nadella’s Microsoft to challenge Jeff Bezos in India</a>

The best day for Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries in a decade was a bad one for its rivals

TRAI recently released its new <a href="https://www.bgr.in/how-to/trai-new-rules-dth-operators-february-1-dish-tv-select-channels-base-plan-a-la-carte-free-to-air-channel-selector/">guidelines</a> regarding the broadcasting and pricing over DTH and Cable TV services. All the DTH companies including Dish TV, Tata Sky, and Airtel Digital TV have already announced the different channel packs they have got on offer. Dish TV has pre-selected its customers’ channel packages as per their old plan and has moved them automatically to the new packages. However, if you are working with other operators, you will need to select your TV channel preferences on your cable service provider platform to avail of the new tariff. As part of its momentous announcement, TRAI had issued strict guidelines to the broadcasters to streamline the selection and pricing options of the cable or DTH channels. The move is intended to let the consumers avail of the cable and DTH services at a minimal cost without having to waste money on paying for the channels they never use. The new regulations brought in by TRAI lets the customers pay only for those channels they want to watch. TRAI has released a Channel Selector App that will let the customer know the estimate of the subscription charges meant for the channels they have selected. Similar to how it works with other DTH service providers, the consumers of Dish TV can also do the channel selection in three ways. The first way is to call the Dish TV customer care. The second route is to make use of the My DishTV app to do the channel selection. The third way is to visit Dishtv.in website and choose the channels you want using your login credentials. Here is a step by step procedure to choosing the channels on DishTV on the company’s dedicated website. Step One Visit the DishTV website. Go to ‘Subscriber Corner’ that you will find on the top right corner of the website. You can also land on the Subscriber Corner by clicking on the banner ad that has notified “Register your choice as per TRAI’s new mandate.” Step Two The Subscriber Corner page will prompt you to log in. You can do this either by using your VC number or registered ten digit mobile number. Also, you can choose to give your password or log in using OTP. Step Three Once you have logged in, the account page on Dish TV’s page will show up the selection page by default arrangement. In case it does not open itself, you can open it by clicking on ‘Packs &amp; Channels’. Step Four On the ‘Packs &amp; Channels’ page you will see ‘Select Your Zone’ option that will cover the regional bouquet of channels DishTV offers. This will be based on languages of the North and South regions. Step Five After you have selected your zone, you will see the list and details of Dish Combo packs, Add-Ons, Channels, and Bouquets. Based on your preferences you can add them to your cart and checkout. In the five simple steps given above, you will have created your own unique channel package based on your viewing preferences. Now you can enjoy the benefits of revised pricing as per the new TRAI regulations.

Step-by-step guide to select channels under India’s new cable TV

<ul><li>Indian <keyword id="9648057" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ott-viewers" source="Orion">OTT viewers</keyword> are frustrated by juggling between 2-3 platforms on average to catch the latest content.</li><li>Since more expansion is expected in the market, an aggregator who would bring the best and offer it under one roof is in the offing.</li><li>As per a recent report by PwC, the OTT market is now ripe for aggregation.</li></ul>Before the fintech app CRED launched, Indian consumers downloaded at least 2-3 banking apps to pay their credit bills. CRED identified this gap and consolidated them all under one platform, for a small commission. The next market that’s desperately in need of an aggregation is the OTT market – which has over <a href="https://www.exchange4media.com/digital-news/ht-medias-ott-play-premium-service-eyes-15-million-paid-subs-by-year-end-120746.html">55 </a>offerings. “The largest streaming services in the market are Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon and Netflix. The country also has a vast array of smaller local SVODs, including provisions from local broadcasters like Zee TV and premium cinema providers like Eros Now. Due to its size and diversity, the market is ripe for aggregation,” says a report by PwC. Many streaming services, many more subscriptions Apart from the national offerings, Indian OTTs have become specialized and niche over time with regional offerings like Hoichoi, Aha, Sun Nxt and more. Since more expansion is expected in the market, an aggregator who would bring the best and offer it under one roof is in the offing. In fact, <keyword id="758541" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon-prime" source="Orion">Amazon Prime</keyword> has also started this with Prime Video Channels but has eight channels that users can subscribe to and pay at one go. Such offerings can only expand from here. Most <keyword id="13730389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ott-users" source="Orion">OTT users</keyword> have more than 2 subscriptions According to media consulting firm Ormax Media, the average number of video streaming subscriptions per person has reached 2.4 in India – since no one OTT can replace what hundreds of channels provided earlier. Currently, platforms like Tata Play, OTTplay, YuppTV Scope, ScreenHits TV and Airtel offer subscriptions to a few OTT services under one roof – but the choice, like in the case of Amazon Prime, is limited. Times Prime offers 15+ OTT subscriptions under one roof. "We are pulling out all the stops to ensure that our members get the best experiences under one umbrella. The Times Prime app, which is super easy to use, is the perfect product for consumption of content in today's subscription environment," says Harshita Singh, business head of Times Prime. 33-year-old Mumbai resident Khushboo Alag watches content across four <keyword id="5293670" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ott-platforms" source="Orion">OTT platforms</keyword>. She has subscribed to two of them, and shares two more with her family. “I have tried a couple of aggregators but I haven’t found the one yet that offers personalized experience. Existing apps haven’t been helpful and I am still looking for that one space where I could just log in to watch all the content that I am interested in,” says Alag. Some entertainment lovers have bought a smart television or a firestick to easily juggle through different OTT platforms on their television set. Firestick is just not enough, say users Vaamanaa Sethi, a Delhi-based resident, is one such user who has access to Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix and ZEE5 — thanks to her firestick. “We need an aggregator that can allow us to select which movie we want to watch under one roof. If I want to watch a movie and it is not available on Netflix, then I can easily switch to Amazon Prime. I don’t want to struggle,” says Sethi. Then there is the problem of managing and paying multiple subscriptions. Chaittali Dave, a Mumbai resident who is a mother of twins, said that she can’t watch OTT content on her television set. She is hoping to find a mobile-agnostic aggregator. “I can’t watch Mirzapur on television in front of my kids. You can use a firestick or Tata Play if you live with a nuclear family,” says Dave. 23-year-old Mumbai resident Shraddha Khaire is particularly a movie buff. She has subscribed to 6-8 OTT apps and says that it has been a frustrating experience for her to pay a premium price for one movie. “There have been times that I had to subscribe to a whole new OTT just to watch that one show or movie, and let’s not forget the premium charges for the same,” shared Khaire. Her experience with teleco aggregators hasn’t been very pleasant either. She hopes a new aggregator will make the whole experience very seamless, simple and efficient for me as a regular user of various OTTs, such as her. “There will be a single sign-up, single ID for accessing multiple platforms. While telcos like Jio and Airtel, DTH services like Tata Sky, etc., offer an array of OTT services, but you need a connection to these services to access the OTTs. Overall, I think if there was a platform that offered access to a bundle of more streaming services, I wouldn’t mind going for it,” adds Khaire. Disclaimer: Business Insider India is a part of Times Internet India

A CRED-like platform is what Indian OTT users want to juggle multiple subscriptions

<ul><li><keyword id="14238168" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="cloudextel" source="Orion">CloudExtel</keyword> took over old gas pipelines, excavated and cleaned them and laid over 200 kilometres of fibre in South Bombay. </li><li>The pipeline-turned-telecom assets gave way to their dark fibre leasing business but its co-founder wants to convert it into a full-stack NaaS company. </li><li>“We’re able to build out our network infrastructure and offer that on a service basis to our customers,” <keyword id="6358511" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bajaj" source="Orion">Bajaj</keyword> told Business Insider <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>. </li></ul>CloudExtel was founded in 2014 but its story had started unfolding much earlier – when The Gilded Age was playing out in British-ruled Bombay and even before electricity was in use. A company called Bombay Gas used to supply gas via pipes to Bombay buildings and to even power street lights. The company stopped gas distribution in the mid-80s and the pipes were lying unused since then. That was until 2014 – when <keyword id="131281" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kunal-bajaj" source="Orion">Kunal Bajaj</keyword>, a telecom sector veteran and former partner- India director of consulting firm Analysys Mason, was introduced to the promoters of Bombay Gas – the <keyword id="23193" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="hamilton" source="Orion">Hamilton</keyword> and Company group. The firm, which had since diversified into real estate and others, wanted to convert the company’s gas pipelines into telecom assets. As CloudExtel was formed, it took over the old gas pipelines, began excavation, cleaned them up and laid over 200 kilometres of fibre in South Bombay. Since the fibre is laid under footpaths and bridges inside cast-iron pipelines, it provides an added layer of security. The pipeline-turned-telecom assets gave way to the company’s dark fibre leasing business – where the service provider offers the fibre optic infrastructure but the customer operates it. Some of its customers include Airtel, <keyword id="197484" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pgcil" source="Orion">PGCIL</keyword>, Railtel, Sify, Tata Communications and Vodafone Idea. Bajaj, who had seen the market evolve from the bare minimum net speeds of the 2G era to the high-speeds of 3G and 4G, had bigger plans beyond just geographic expansion for the company. He wanted to build a network-as-a-service operation – a model where customers rent networking infrastructure and services through a cloud-like subscription-based model. “So, I came to them with the idea that rather than just thinking about building out a fibre business, we should actually think about building out an entire network-as-a-service (NaaS) full- stack operation,” Bajaj, who is also the co-founder of CloudExtel, told Business Insider India. Unblocking networks While India needs underground fibre – which is tough to lay and maintain amidst the many roadblocks telecom companies encounter, the sector itself faces a multitude of challenges when it comes to providing high-speed data services to an increasingly demanding customer base. India’s large population and its high density in most urban and even semi-urban areas has presented network challenges for <keyword id="6383126" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="telcos" source="Orion">telcos</keyword> and ISPs. And this is the problem that CloudExtel wants to solve. “There is the traditional way of serving these (crowded) areas with the macro sites and large towers. But at some point, those macro sites get completely choked and the capacity limits are reached and telcos need to be able to provide additional capacity in that high-density area. You then need to go from the very top of a tall building with a large site and you need to have a miniaturised site, which is at a lower height closer to where the actual traffic consumption is,” explained Bajaj. In addition to laying over 4,000 kilometres of fibre across cities, CloudExtel added 4,000 small cell sites across 325 cities and towns. In addition, it provides services like virtual networks that take it from providing infrastructure-as-a-service to NaaS. It leverages fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) with single platform end-to-end services that build, plan and maintain networks for telcos and internet service providers that target homes and SMEs. “So we take some of the hardest parts of that telecom network and we build it out on behalf of the telcos, ISPs and content providers. We focus on very difficult-to-solve types of problems, where high-network capacity is required or where it’s very difficult getting fibre into the ground or buildings and homes. We’re able to build out our network infrastructures and offer that on a service basis to our customers,” said Bajaj. CloudExtel believes that a time will come when telecom companies will outsource most or all of their infrastructure needs, paving the way for network-as-a-service or NaaS companies such as themselves. Global players like Cisco and <keyword id="10875" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ibm" source="Orion">IBM</keyword> are also players in the NaaS space. “We are delivering a completely virtualized network to our customers. We can compare it to Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud, which have taken over from companies building, owning and maintaining their own data centres. I'm not saying that the telecom network or the telecom industry is ready to be completely virtualized or share all these stations and microsites, but this is the first step in that process, in that direction,” Bajaj said. A new era beckons CloudExtel has been bootstrapped until now and funded internally off the balance sheets. Even with the substantial set of assets, it still calls itself a startup. “So I still consider ourselves a startup because we have not yet achieved even one-tenth of what we believe we can achieve,” Bajaj said. Even as India is on the cusp of 5G network launches, Bajaj believes that the definition of network speeds is evolving, with more and more new technologies coming in. And infrastructure companies such as CloudExtel will have to stay ahead of the innovation cycle. “We're launching 5G today, but work on 5G actually started 10 years ago. That's kind of the timelines on which this kind of sector really works. 5G is going to be very largely about the ability to deploy small cells and provide dense network capacity and good network signals in very busy or very high traffic areas. That can basically be done on the back of only small cells being put very close to end-customers right on traffic junctions and high-density venues,” Bajaj said. Even as technology evolves, the number of high bandwidth applications like connected TVs, AR and VR-based shopping, in addition to metaverse etc. are multiplying at a rate that is faster than the time taken to build the infrastructure needed to handle it. “I think the biggest challenge we face is we don't have fixed-line infrastructure prominently available in the country. So, with rising capacity requirements and throughput requirements, telcos will always find it difficult to keep up pace with what the industry demands. That was really the genesis of the idea eight years ago,” Bajaj says. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/indias-startup-economy-stares-at-deepening-funding-winter-in-2023/articleshow/96807902.cms">India's startup economy stares at deepening funding winter in 2023</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/an-aai-and-two-college-dropouts-home-snacks-biz-sends-shark-tank-judges-into-a-bidding-war/articleshow/96784920.cms">An aai and two college dropouts’ home snacks biz sends Shark Tank judges into a bidding war</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indias-decennial-census-to-be-delayed-further-say-officials/articleshow/96784633.cms">India's decennial census to be delayed further say officials</a>

This startup is using abandoned gas pipelines from 1800s to ease telecom traffic via network as a service

New Delhi, Dec 22 () Zee Entertainment on Sunday clarified that all its television channels in Tamil Nadu are fully operational across leading cable and DTH operators.
 No changes have been made in the consumer price (MRP) of the individual channels or channel packs whatsoever, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) said in a statement.
 "The viewers have expressed their disappointment for not being able to view their favourite ZEE Channels, despite having paid for the same. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) wishes to clarify that all of its television channels in Tamil Nadu are fully operational across leading cable and DTH operators, including Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd, SCV and V K Digital," it said.
 The channels are also available across all leading DTH operators viz. Airtel Digital TV, Tata Sky, Dish TV, d2h, and Sun Direct, it said adding there has been no change in the consumer price (MRP) of the individual channels or channel packs whatsoever.
 Zee Prime Tamil SD pack, competitively priced at Rs 10 only, is the best value pack in Tamil Nadu market, when compared to other similar bouquets available in the same market.
 ZEEL has issued all the required communications to its esteemed viewers informing and urging them to approach their respective cable operators with a request to reactivate the channels, for which they have already paid Rs 10, as part of their monthly subscription, it said.
 "This communication is purely issued in the interest of all our viewers, since ZEEL has received several complaints and requests through emails and social media platforms, wherein the consumers have mentioned that their cable operators have removed the ZEE Bouquet from their channel packs, without any communication or reason," the statement said. ABI MKJ

Zee Entertainment says all channels 'fully operational' in Tamil Nadu

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/37072968.cms" /><keyword id="10591" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Samsung">Samsung</keyword> recently launched its flagship curved TV’s in India. We got a chance to play with it and test it out. We threw a lot of hard trials at it, but it never came under pressure. The 9 Series Samsung curved TV measures 65-inches diagonally and is built in an arched design. The bezel is very nice and modern. Users get edge to edge screen space with silver trims. One can wall mount it, but we suggest use the table stand. As it adds to the presence of this TV. A connectivity box comes with the TV, where one can find all the usual ports such as composite, HDMI and USB. 
 
Samsung has thrown the chunky remotes out and what the users get with this curved UHDTV is a sleek IR universal remote, which can control the regular Indian DTH set top box as well. One can control the round on-screen pointer with the remote, enabling users to type, access internet apps and STB channels with it. This TV can connect to the internet as well. We got up and running in matter of minutes. Just keep your Wi-Fi password handy and you will be connected in 2 minutes. 
 
Now to the fun part. Samsung Series 9 UHDTV has 4K resolution, which is 4 times better than Full HD 1080P. We ran some ultra HD content on this TV and results were spectacular. This TV is built for large rooms and halls. You need to be at least 5 feet away to enjoy its spectacular colours and pictures. There is no ghosting and we get a smooth image. 
 
HD TV channels experience was great as well. Connecting it with the Tata Sky, we loved how the colours popped out. Sports and high speed movie action sequences was not bad either. This TV set also enhances normal channels to UHD as well so you get a smoother picture. No complaints here too, SD channels did look better on this TV. 
 
Half way through we did find that the curve is a bit gimmicky and one really does not need it. It does add slight depth, but reduces the viewing angles. This means you cannot view the television properly if you are sitting close to the sides of the TV. 
 Jumping on to the internet features Samsung has given it the works. <keyword id="10879" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="YouTube">YouTube</keyword> videos work well and one can watch them in HD. Remember, you need a high speed internet connection to enjoy them. This Curved TV is good in the sound department as well. We got crisp clear sound and one can do without additional speakers. 
 
In the end it does boil down to the price, doesn’t it? Samsung is asking for Rs 4,49,900 for this TV. This is a lot to ask for just 65-inches. Yes the colours are brilliant, blacks are good and sound is nice. But, there are many HDTV’s from Samsung in the 8 and 7 series that are one fourth the price of this TV and have similar features. But Samsung didn’t build this TV for everyone. They built it for luxury driven customers, who are far and few. So, if you have the money and want the latest, this TV set is just what you need.

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