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Category: iWorld

  • Amazon Prime gets streaming rights of three independent films from India

    Amazon Prime gets streaming rights of three independent films from India

    NEW DELHI: Amazon and C International Sales, a subsidiary of Cinestaan Film Company, announced a long-term alliance that will make Amazon Prime Video India the exclusive home for two of Toronto International Film Festival’s official selection of Indian films titled Dev Bhoomi (selected for TIFF 2016, Hof International Film Festival), and A Death in the Gunj (Directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, selected for TIFF 2016 and Busan International Film Festival). 

    In addition, Amazon Prime Video will exclusively stream The Hungry, an international co-production between Cinestaan Film Company and Film London.

    Cinestaan chairman Rohit Khattar said, “In our quest to champion Independent Indian films, we have been trying to figure out various ways to effectively distribute films which face the usual conundrum of high P&A and other costs. Amazon Prime Video has presented a much needed option and we are delighted that they have seen such merit in three of the titles that C International Sales represented and we are thrilled that within 6 months, our superb team has made C International the ‘go to’ sales agency for Indian filmmakers”

    “At Amazon Prime Video India, our goal is to partner with the top content creators in India and worldwide to build the largest selection of latest and exclusive movies and TV shows for our customers,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani. “Our alliance with Cinestaan is to build our selection of features from India’s evolving independent filmmakers. This realistic style of film-making from an exciting breed of filmmakers, creates room for experimentation in content as well as form. Death in The Gunj, The Hungry and Dev Bhoomi are the first titles in our Indian offering in this exciting new genre – independent cinema.”

    Devi Bhoomi is directed by international award winning director Goran Paskaljevic and narrates the story of Rahul who returns to his old Himalayan village carrying a heavy secret. His arrival is not welcomed by the locals and again he must face the isolated world of old prejudices in which women have no right to choose their own destiny.

    Directorial debut feature, written and directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, Death in the Gunj is set in 1979 starts as an uneventful family holiday which takes a dangerous twist when the guests play with the spirits.

    Revenge thriller The Hungry is a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus brings together film-making talent from Cinestaan Film Company and Film London. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Tisca Chopra, Neeraj Kabi, Suraj Sharma and Sayani Gupta. 

    Amazon Prime already offers unlimited free one-day and two-day delivery to over 100 cities on eligible items from India’s largest selection of products, 30 minutes early access for members on top deals and more benefits for an unparalleled shopping experience.

  • Amazon Prime gets streaming rights of three independent films from India

    Amazon Prime gets streaming rights of three independent films from India

    NEW DELHI: Amazon and C International Sales, a subsidiary of Cinestaan Film Company, announced a long-term alliance that will make Amazon Prime Video India the exclusive home for two of Toronto International Film Festival’s official selection of Indian films titled Dev Bhoomi (selected for TIFF 2016, Hof International Film Festival), and A Death in the Gunj (Directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, selected for TIFF 2016 and Busan International Film Festival). 

    In addition, Amazon Prime Video will exclusively stream The Hungry, an international co-production between Cinestaan Film Company and Film London.

    Cinestaan chairman Rohit Khattar said, “In our quest to champion Independent Indian films, we have been trying to figure out various ways to effectively distribute films which face the usual conundrum of high P&A and other costs. Amazon Prime Video has presented a much needed option and we are delighted that they have seen such merit in three of the titles that C International Sales represented and we are thrilled that within 6 months, our superb team has made C International the ‘go to’ sales agency for Indian filmmakers”

    “At Amazon Prime Video India, our goal is to partner with the top content creators in India and worldwide to build the largest selection of latest and exclusive movies and TV shows for our customers,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani. “Our alliance with Cinestaan is to build our selection of features from India’s evolving independent filmmakers. This realistic style of film-making from an exciting breed of filmmakers, creates room for experimentation in content as well as form. Death in The Gunj, The Hungry and Dev Bhoomi are the first titles in our Indian offering in this exciting new genre – independent cinema.”

    Devi Bhoomi is directed by international award winning director Goran Paskaljevic and narrates the story of Rahul who returns to his old Himalayan village carrying a heavy secret. His arrival is not welcomed by the locals and again he must face the isolated world of old prejudices in which women have no right to choose their own destiny.

    Directorial debut feature, written and directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, Death in the Gunj is set in 1979 starts as an uneventful family holiday which takes a dangerous twist when the guests play with the spirits.

    Revenge thriller The Hungry is a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus brings together film-making talent from Cinestaan Film Company and Film London. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Tisca Chopra, Neeraj Kabi, Suraj Sharma and Sayani Gupta. 

    Amazon Prime already offers unlimited free one-day and two-day delivery to over 100 cities on eligible items from India’s largest selection of products, 30 minutes early access for members on top deals and more benefits for an unparalleled shopping experience.

  • Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

    Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

    NEW DELHI: Vodafone Group Plc today confirmed that it was in discussions with the Aditya Birla Group about an all share merger of Vodafone India (excluding Vodafone’s 42% stake in Indus Towers) and Idea.

    Vodafone group general counsel and company secretary Rosemary Martin said, “Any merger would be effected through the issue of new shares in Idea to Vodafone and would result in Vodafone deconsolidating Vodafone India.”

    “There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, nor as to the terms or timing of any transaction.”

    Reacting to recent media speculation regarding a potential combination of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular (“Idea”), she said: “This announcement contains inside information.”

    Although, earlier, there were reports that Vodafone may be seeking merger with Idea or Jio, experts believed a merger with the former was a possibility. Vodafone had launched several tariffs to browbeat competition from Airtel and Jio. The Indian unit is reportedly seeking a merger with one of the top telecom companies following intensified competition. Vodafone may be keen for a possible tie-up with Idea, Jio or another of the top three providers. Jio’s aggressive tariffs and heavy investments started impacting competitor a few weeks after it entered.

    Also read:  Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

  • Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

    Vodafone confirms possibility of merger with Idea

    NEW DELHI: Vodafone Group Plc today confirmed that it was in discussions with the Aditya Birla Group about an all share merger of Vodafone India (excluding Vodafone’s 42% stake in Indus Towers) and Idea.

    Vodafone group general counsel and company secretary Rosemary Martin said, “Any merger would be effected through the issue of new shares in Idea to Vodafone and would result in Vodafone deconsolidating Vodafone India.”

    “There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, nor as to the terms or timing of any transaction.”

    Reacting to recent media speculation regarding a potential combination of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular (“Idea”), she said: “This announcement contains inside information.”

    Although, earlier, there were reports that Vodafone may be seeking merger with Idea or Jio, experts believed a merger with the former was a possibility. Vodafone had launched several tariffs to browbeat competition from Airtel and Jio. The Indian unit is reportedly seeking a merger with one of the top telecom companies following intensified competition. Vodafone may be keen for a possible tie-up with Idea, Jio or another of the top three providers. Jio’s aggressive tariffs and heavy investments started impacting competitor a few weeks after it entered.

    Also read:  Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

  • BSNL violating TRAI’s IUC norms, complains COAI

    BSNL violating TRAI’s IUC norms, complains COAI

    NEW DELHI: The Cellular Operator Association of India (COAI) has approached the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India against the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd’s (BSNL) new limited fixed mobile telephony app-based calling service that virtually turns mobiles into a cordless phone.

    The new service works in sync with landlines to make and receive calls within home premises.

    Claiming it was like the “in-principle same version of their fixed mobile telephony (FMT) services” launched last year and subsequently withdrawn, COAI members want TRAI to direct BSNL to withdraw the new service. BSNL has so far marketed its service as “distinct”.

    Interestingly, Reliance Jio has not joined in as it claims to have divergent views.

    While launching the new service in mid-January, BSNL had stated that the latest limited Fixed Mobile Telephony (FMT) service is “different” from the contentious Fixed Mobile Telephony service it had announced last year. The PSU was subsequently forced to put on hold the service following opposition from cellular operators.

    The operators say the new service is disguised as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) service and violation of numbering plan and breach of licence conditions.

    In its letter to TRAI, COAI has also alleged that BSNL’s service represents evasion and bypass of Interconnect Usage Charges (IUC) in the form of termination charges. “We understand that the new service will use fixed line Caller Line Identification for making calls from mobiles and currently no termination charges are applicable for calls to and from fixed line in terms of TRAI’s prevailing IUC regulation,” COAI said.

    If the service is allowed, other operators with landline number series may also start using the methodology for saving on IUC leading to major revenue implications, COAI has argued.

    “In light of the serious concerns … we request your kind intervention in issuing an immediate direction to BSNL for withdrawing this app-based calling service,” COAI has said.

    While putting its service on hold, BSNL chairman Anupam Shrivastava had said the earlier service allowed customers on roaming in India and overseas to connect their landlines through mobile and make calls through them, but the new service is restricted within the home premises.

    “Landline subscribers find it inconvenient to fetch the contact details from mobiles and then dial the number on fixed line … This service will turn mobile handset into a cordless device within the home premises, which means that customers can still avail the attractive landline tariffs of BSNL,” Shrivastava had said.

    Also Read:

    BSNL launches FMT & Ditto TV; 4G planned this year

    Fazed by expensive 4G spectrum, BSNL gifting Kerala 1k hotspots

  • BSNL violating TRAI’s IUC norms, complains COAI

    BSNL violating TRAI’s IUC norms, complains COAI

    NEW DELHI: The Cellular Operator Association of India (COAI) has approached the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India against the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd’s (BSNL) new limited fixed mobile telephony app-based calling service that virtually turns mobiles into a cordless phone.

    The new service works in sync with landlines to make and receive calls within home premises.

    Claiming it was like the “in-principle same version of their fixed mobile telephony (FMT) services” launched last year and subsequently withdrawn, COAI members want TRAI to direct BSNL to withdraw the new service. BSNL has so far marketed its service as “distinct”.

    Interestingly, Reliance Jio has not joined in as it claims to have divergent views.

    While launching the new service in mid-January, BSNL had stated that the latest limited Fixed Mobile Telephony (FMT) service is “different” from the contentious Fixed Mobile Telephony service it had announced last year. The PSU was subsequently forced to put on hold the service following opposition from cellular operators.

    The operators say the new service is disguised as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) service and violation of numbering plan and breach of licence conditions.

    In its letter to TRAI, COAI has also alleged that BSNL’s service represents evasion and bypass of Interconnect Usage Charges (IUC) in the form of termination charges. “We understand that the new service will use fixed line Caller Line Identification for making calls from mobiles and currently no termination charges are applicable for calls to and from fixed line in terms of TRAI’s prevailing IUC regulation,” COAI said.

    If the service is allowed, other operators with landline number series may also start using the methodology for saving on IUC leading to major revenue implications, COAI has argued.

    “In light of the serious concerns … we request your kind intervention in issuing an immediate direction to BSNL for withdrawing this app-based calling service,” COAI has said.

    While putting its service on hold, BSNL chairman Anupam Shrivastava had said the earlier service allowed customers on roaming in India and overseas to connect their landlines through mobile and make calls through them, but the new service is restricted within the home premises.

    “Landline subscribers find it inconvenient to fetch the contact details from mobiles and then dial the number on fixed line … This service will turn mobile handset into a cordless device within the home premises, which means that customers can still avail the attractive landline tariffs of BSNL,” Shrivastava had said.

    Also Read:

    BSNL launches FMT & Ditto TV; 4G planned this year

    Fazed by expensive 4G spectrum, BSNL gifting Kerala 1k hotspots

  • Budget ’17: OTT players hoping for tax rationalisation to boost growth

    Budget ’17: OTT players hoping for tax rationalisation to boost growth

    MUMBAI: 2016 was indeed a critical year for the over-the-top (OTT) services in India. In an emerging market like India, the potential of more content consumption is certainly a reality. Increasing availability of smart phones, internet penetration, affordable data rates, 4G rollout, availability of good quality content and new entrants have led the OTT industry to bloom in 2016 and the trend is likely to continue. But the segment players are also looking up to the government for a clearer economic roadmap after the shockwaves of demonestisation.

    “The entertainment industry has always been on the forefront of economic contribution. Though it is expected that GST rollout (as and when it happens later this year) would bring about more uniformity in the system of paying multiple taxes, it is also expected that finance minister Arun Jaitley will announce reforms, which will help control piracy issues in the country and help boost video on demand market in India,” said Muvizz.com COO and co-founder Abhayanand Singh.

    Zee’s business head of digital for India Archana Anand opined that 2016 will go down as the year in which the wheels were set in motion for the growth of OTT. According to her, OTT platforms likely to become the go-to source of entertainment in the coming years, particularly for the millennials, who do not have easy access to a TV set and for whom it’s really about the content and not the size of the screen. But for that economic incentives are also needed from the government.

    Echoing similar views, Web Talkies chairman and managing director Virendra Shahaney asserted the government needs to beef up digital infrastructure like Internet and faster implementation of free wi-fi projects. “A relaxed taxation policy for start-ups would be welcome and tax breaks for start-ups should increase to five years with a significant improvement in ease of doing business,” he added.

    Pointing out that India downloaded six billion apps in 2016 making service usage the highest globally, Dekkho co-founder Tanay Desai said ,”The BHIM app has been downloaded 10 million times already indicating a healthy potential payment pipeline. GST will aid online payments for users as well as brands by reducing tax barriers across states in India and the industry looks forward to additional (tax) relaxation measures in the upcoming Budget.”

    Also Read:

    Budget ’17: Media segments seek succour, digital direction from govt

  • Budget ’17: OTT players hoping for tax rationalisation to boost growth

    Budget ’17: OTT players hoping for tax rationalisation to boost growth

    MUMBAI: 2016 was indeed a critical year for the over-the-top (OTT) services in India. In an emerging market like India, the potential of more content consumption is certainly a reality. Increasing availability of smart phones, internet penetration, affordable data rates, 4G rollout, availability of good quality content and new entrants have led the OTT industry to bloom in 2016 and the trend is likely to continue. But the segment players are also looking up to the government for a clearer economic roadmap after the shockwaves of demonestisation.

    “The entertainment industry has always been on the forefront of economic contribution. Though it is expected that GST rollout (as and when it happens later this year) would bring about more uniformity in the system of paying multiple taxes, it is also expected that finance minister Arun Jaitley will announce reforms, which will help control piracy issues in the country and help boost video on demand market in India,” said Muvizz.com COO and co-founder Abhayanand Singh.

    Zee’s business head of digital for India Archana Anand opined that 2016 will go down as the year in which the wheels were set in motion for the growth of OTT. According to her, OTT platforms likely to become the go-to source of entertainment in the coming years, particularly for the millennials, who do not have easy access to a TV set and for whom it’s really about the content and not the size of the screen. But for that economic incentives are also needed from the government.

    Echoing similar views, Web Talkies chairman and managing director Virendra Shahaney asserted the government needs to beef up digital infrastructure like Internet and faster implementation of free wi-fi projects. “A relaxed taxation policy for start-ups would be welcome and tax breaks for start-ups should increase to five years with a significant improvement in ease of doing business,” he added.

    Pointing out that India downloaded six billion apps in 2016 making service usage the highest globally, Dekkho co-founder Tanay Desai said ,”The BHIM app has been downloaded 10 million times already indicating a healthy potential payment pipeline. GST will aid online payments for users as well as brands by reducing tax barriers across states in India and the industry looks forward to additional (tax) relaxation measures in the upcoming Budget.”

    Also Read:

    Budget ’17: Media segments seek succour, digital direction from govt

  • NEC’s HK-Guam cable transmission to deliver 48 Tbps in three yrs

    NEC’s HK-Guam cable transmission to deliver 48 Tbps in three yrs

    MUMBAI: NEC Corporation recently announced the signing of a contract with RTI Connectivity to supply a high-capacity optical submarine cable for a new system connecting Hong Kong and Guam.

    NEC, with over 40 years experience in submarine cable business, has laid over 250,000 km of submarine cable-the equivalent of six trips around the earth.

    The 3,900-km Hong Kong-Guam Cable System (HK-G) is scheduled to begin operation in January 2020, featuring 100 gigabit per second (Gbps) optical transmission capabilities that deliver a total capacity of more than 48 terabits per second (Tbps). This contract will partially utilise capital from the Fund Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan’s ICT and Postal Services (Japan ICT Fund).

    The HK-G is slated to connect in Guam with the SEA-US optical submarine cable system that directly connects Southeast Asia to the United States, and that NEC began constructing in March 2015. As a result, this project contributes to the expansion of communications networks between China, Hong Kong and the United States, in addition to those between Southeast Asia and the United States. Moreover, the HK-G will complement other regional submarine cables, thereby increasing network redundancy and helping to ensure high capacity, highly reliable communications.

    “NEC is delighted to be selected as the supplier of the HK-G Submarine Cable planned by RTI Connectivity,” said NEC Submarine Network Division general manager Toru Kawauchi. “With Guam becoming a new hub in the Pacific, we look forward to helping the RTI group of companies provide for the expanding Asia-Pacific demand for more connectivity.”

    Also Read:

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/flag-telecom-founder-to-establish-indian-ocean-subsea-cable-170105

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/over-the-top-services/facebook-google-building-120-tbps-submarine-cable-to-asia-by-mid-18-161014

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/enews/digital-india-optical-fibre-connecting-islands-to-cost-rs-1100-crore-160922

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/broadband/mukesh-ambani-to-invest-rs-250000-crore-for-digital-india-150701

     

  • NEC’s HK-Guam cable transmission to deliver 48 Tbps in three yrs

    NEC’s HK-Guam cable transmission to deliver 48 Tbps in three yrs

    MUMBAI: NEC Corporation recently announced the signing of a contract with RTI Connectivity to supply a high-capacity optical submarine cable for a new system connecting Hong Kong and Guam.

    NEC, with over 40 years experience in submarine cable business, has laid over 250,000 km of submarine cable-the equivalent of six trips around the earth.

    The 3,900-km Hong Kong-Guam Cable System (HK-G) is scheduled to begin operation in January 2020, featuring 100 gigabit per second (Gbps) optical transmission capabilities that deliver a total capacity of more than 48 terabits per second (Tbps). This contract will partially utilise capital from the Fund Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan’s ICT and Postal Services (Japan ICT Fund).

    The HK-G is slated to connect in Guam with the SEA-US optical submarine cable system that directly connects Southeast Asia to the United States, and that NEC began constructing in March 2015. As a result, this project contributes to the expansion of communications networks between China, Hong Kong and the United States, in addition to those between Southeast Asia and the United States. Moreover, the HK-G will complement other regional submarine cables, thereby increasing network redundancy and helping to ensure high capacity, highly reliable communications.

    “NEC is delighted to be selected as the supplier of the HK-G Submarine Cable planned by RTI Connectivity,” said NEC Submarine Network Division general manager Toru Kawauchi. “With Guam becoming a new hub in the Pacific, we look forward to helping the RTI group of companies provide for the expanding Asia-Pacific demand for more connectivity.”

    Also Read:

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/flag-telecom-founder-to-establish-indian-ocean-subsea-cable-170105

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/over-the-top-services/facebook-google-building-120-tbps-submarine-cable-to-asia-by-mid-18-161014

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/enews/digital-india-optical-fibre-connecting-islands-to-cost-rs-1100-crore-160922

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/broadband/mukesh-ambani-to-invest-rs-250000-crore-for-digital-india-150701