Category: iWorld

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

NEW DELHI: Public sector telco BSNL will launch 1,000 high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots across the state of Kerala to address the challenges posed by its absence in the 4G data services, a top BSNL official has said.

BSNL’s Kerala circle CGM R Mani told reporters that the proposed hotspots would provide 4.5G speed and would be commissioned within a months’ time. Huge cost to buy the 4G spectrum was the hindrance for the state-run service provider to plunge into 4G services, but it is expected to happen by this March, Mani was quoted by a PTI report, carried by Firstpost, as saying, who added that wherever BSNL’s 3G tower experienced a lot of traffic, Wi-Fi hotspots are being put up.

With the commissioning of the hotspots, when a customer is using his mobile phone, his network service would be directly taken over to the Wi-Fi hotspot. “Then, he will not be on 3G… but will be on 4.5G,” the BSNL official is reported to have said. The project is being implemented in collaboration with equipment from Larsen & Toubro.

The official explained that the high cost of 4G spectrum was an impediment for the State-run telco, though the initiative was “under evaluation” at the headquarters in Delhi.

The rollout of 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Kerala is part of an effort to provide Wi-Fi hotspots all across the country. In 2015, it was announced that BSNL would be investing Rs. 7, 0000 million to set up Wi-Fi hotspots across the country over the course of two to three years. BSNL has partnered with QuadGen Wireless to set up Wi-Fi hotspots in south and west zones, under a revenue sharing model.

According to the report, BSNL plans to set up 40,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the country by 2018 and the company already offers Wi-Fi services in tourist destinations such as the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho and Varanasi. The first 30 minutes of Wi-Fi connectivity is free, after which users will have to pay between Rs 20 to Rs 70 for access between 30 minutes to 24 hours. The free access is provided three times a month per user.

Facebook has sponsored 100 hotspots across the country in partnership with BSNL and the social media company (hauled up by the government last year for offering, what the telecom regulator said, services that breached principles of Net Neutrality via Internet.org) is paying BSNL Rs 500,000 per hotspot annually. There is no revenue sharing agreement with Facebook.

January 21, 2017
Netflix confirms seven million subs; picks up Amazon gauntlet

MUMBAI: For all those media watchers who have been writing Netflix’s obituary in India, here’s a note of caution: take a few steps back, hold on to your fingers before banging in any other words on your keyboards. The global streaming services has come back with some smashing numbers in the latest quarter which should make the critics go red in their faces – with embarrassment, of course. And it is quite likely it will go back to the drawing board with a review of its India strategy.

The company announced over the weekend that it had added 19 million new net subs in the year 2016 as against 17.4 million in 2015, finishing the year with 93.8 million subs. Its global streaming revenue during the period: a mindboggling $8.3 billion, reflecting a 35 per cent year on year growth.

And its figures for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 are also noteworthy: it notched up its historical best Q4 net adds number at 7.05 million (against 5.20 million forecast and 5.59 million in Q42015). These net adds came both courtesy the US (1.93 million vs forecast 1.54 million) and the 190 countries it is present in (5.12 million Q4 2016 as against the 3.75 million forecast and 4.04 million achieved in the year ago quarter). The company says in a release that the contribution was broad based geographically and the impact of its content slate is likely to be felt even more in Q2 2017 as it rolls out the new shows it has commissioned and libraries it has acquired.

The Reed Hastings-Ted Sarandos team has upped Netflix’s content budget to $6 billion for 2017 – 20 per cent more than it had laid out for 2016. The company has given a guidance of 5.12 million new net adds for Q1 2017 (3.7 million of these will be from outside the US).

Estimates are that it has managed to rope in sub-100,000 subscribers in India and renewals have been tough to achieve. In fact, it sent down a team on a fact finding mission to figure out why uptake has not been blazing like in other parts of the world. And how it can appeal better to potential subscribers.

Analysts expect some pricing corrections going forward, considering the aggressive pricing that streaming services such as Hotstar, Amazon Prime, ErosNow, YuppTV, Hooq are adopting.
Then it hopes that its offline viewing mode it launched in Q42016 will also help do the trick in India where bandwidth is patchy at best, despite the speedy rollout of 4G services by Jio, Airtel, Idea and the freebie offers they are dishing out.

The Netflix offline mode allows viewers on iOS and Android devices to download content for viewing later while traveling to work on subways, buses, planes etc. The company hopes that this feature will do well in countries with limited or expensive bandwidth. Says the press release: “We are pleased with the initial results and as expected enjoyment of offline viewing is greatest where the broadband infrastructure is less than robust.”

Netflix is also banking on the appeal of Shah Rukh Khan to help do the magic in India and south Asia. Speculation is that it has invested hundreds of crores to acquire Red Chilies Entertainment’s forward and back catalogue. Then of course its first series adapted from Vikram Chandra’s Mumbai underworld thriller Sacred Games and produced by the edgy production house Phantom Films should see the light of day by mid to end 2017.

If it does anywhere as well as Netflix’s first Brazilian original series 3% did, it could catapult the SVOD service to cult status amongst India’s millenials and mobile-toting generation. The Portuguese language scifi post apocalyptic thriller premiered last year as one of the most watched originals in Brazil as well as Latin America and was also watched by millions of subscribers in the US dubbed and subtitled in English.

Netflix is quite confident that its 2016 global slate – which included award winning shows such as The Crown, Marvel’s Luke Cage, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, The OA, Troll Hunters – will continue to generate traction in India.

Netflix acknowledges in the investor release that Internet TV is evolving fast and becoming hyper competitive. Says the company: “Internet video is a global phenomenon. Amazon Prime Video expanded recently to match our territory footprint, while YouTube remains far larger than either of us in terms of global video enjoyment minutes. Video consumption is growing on Facebook, and Apple is rumored to be adding video to its music service. Satellite TV operators are moving to become internet MVPDs, such as ViaSat to ViaPlay in the Nordics, DISH to Sling, and DirecTV to DirecTV Now. Insurgent firms such as Molotov.tv in France and Hulu are building native-internet interfaces for TV network bundles. CBS is releasing a major original series ( Star Trek) exclusively on its domestic SVOD service (with us as international partner). Finally, the BBC has become the first major linear network to announce plans to go binge-first with new seasons, favoring internet over linear viewers. We presume HBO is not far behind the BBC. In short, it’s becoming an internet TV world, which presents both challenges and opportunities for Netflix as we strive to earn screen time. “

It additionally states that Q42016 marked the tenth anniversary of its streaming launch. And the road ahead is quite clearly laid out. “The next decade will be even more amazing and tumultuous as Internet TV supplants linear TV and we strive to remain a leader.”

January 21, 2017
Mobile content: Alibaba’s UCWeb to invest Rs 2 billion in India & Indonesia

MUMBAI: UCWeb, part of Alibaba Mobile Business Group, has announced its plans to invest Rs 2 billion over the next two years in India and Indonesia market. The funds will primarily be used to tap the huge potential of user-generated content in India via its news distribution and content platform, UC News.

UC News, a major product of UCWeb Inc. is a big-data powered content distributor, serving as a one-stop source of trending and curated news content covering all popular categories that Indian users can consume on the go, with featured channels including news, cricket, technology, entertainment, movies, lifestyle, health, humor, etc. within five months of its launch, UC News became the top app under News Category on Google Play.

Alibaba mobile business group president (overseas business) Jack Huang said, “As India enters the age of increased content consumption through its mobile devices, there is a huge potential for the growth of user-generated content in India similar to what has happened in China. There are more than 600 mn mobile users and 20 mn online content creators in China whereas India currently has 371 mn mobile users with miniscule contribution from self-publishing outlining a huge demand-supply gap. UCWeb has adopted a strategy of becoming a leading content distribution platform. As such, our flagship product UC Browser has also transformed itself from being the No.1 mobile browser in India, according to StatCounter.India is the most critical overseas market for UCWeb and this investment will help bring in the global mobile internet to an era of ‘GUF’ (Google, UCWeb, and Facebook).”

Earlier this month, UC News announced a detailed monetary compensation plan in a bid to offer unique content on UC News and further consolidate its position as a content distribution platform. UC News will also help contributors gain traffic, revenue and followers with the help of Big Data technology and smart content distribution system.

Alibaba mobile business group GM (overseas business) Kenny Ye said, “With growth in consumption of Information Feeds, non-conventional News Feeds – including blog posts, independent write ups, imagery feeds, video logs, short video content and more have become a huge hit. In the near future, we believe that more professionally trained content contributors will establish themselves as “We-Media”, a collective term for those who turn themselves into independent media brands. We also estimate that more and more digital content consumers will turn themselves into “prosumers” – consumers who also contribute to the content production, which will also contribute to the increase of digital content creators in India.”

“Our aim is to make the UC We-media Program the No. 1 platform for content consumption, creation and services in India and Indonesia. We plan to add more than 30,000 self-publishers, bloggers and key opinion leaders to our platform in 2017, generating over 10,000 articles for UC News, every single day,” Jack added.

“The We-media Platform supports with “Money, Service, and Traffic”, providing a well-operated mechanism to self-publishers, bloggers and KOLs in creating income and increasing their popularity. Our platform is to add value to every word they write with not just massive viewership, but also monetary profits, getting them “paid by millions”. For beginners and niche content writers, our program offers methodology for a deeper engagement, helping them draw advertisers and readers, Kenny said.

UCWeb will add resources to aid quality enhancement of vertical content and news in regional and minority languages. Content in entertainment, sports and technology category will remain the biggest focus areas for 2017. In addition, UCWeb will also offer column operation service to quality self-publishers, bloggers and KOLs.

UC News, available in three languages (Hindi, Indonesian and English), integrates trending content from social media and partners with traditional media, self-publishers and key opinion leaders for original content. According to a report released earlier this month by UC News analyzing key content preferences of Indian consumers on the mobile, over 87 per cent of UC News users are below-30 age bracket with almost 75 per cent users below 25 years of age. Men continue to be the dominant user group of UC News by almost six times versus women. Humor and Offbeat content in We-media Program are most popular amongst the audience reading in Hindi while Entertainment and Lifestyle scored with users reading in English. Total time spent consuming content on the mobile has seen a sharp uptick of 230 per cent in Q4 versus Q3. The total page views on UC News also rose over 290 per cent with content in Hindi seeing maximum traction. Indian users read in Hindi almost five times more than English on the mobile in 2016.

January 20, 2017
Mobile content: Alibaba’s UCWeb to invest Rs 2 billion in India & Indonesia

MUMBAI: UCWeb, part of Alibaba Mobile Business Group, has announced its plans to invest Rs 2 billion over the next two years in India and Indonesia market. The funds will primarily be used to tap the huge potential of user-generated content in India via its news distribution and content platform, UC News.

UC News, a major product of UCWeb Inc. is a big-data powered content distributor, serving as a one-stop source of trending and curated news content covering all popular categories that Indian users can consume on the go, with featured channels including news, cricket, technology, entertainment, movies, lifestyle, health, humor, etc. within five months of its launch, UC News became the top app under News Category on Google Play.

Alibaba mobile business group president (overseas business) Jack Huang said, “As India enters the age of increased content consumption through its mobile devices, there is a huge potential for the growth of user-generated content in India similar to what has happened in China. There are more than 600 mn mobile users and 20 mn online content creators in China whereas India currently has 371 mn mobile users with miniscule contribution from self-publishing outlining a huge demand-supply gap. UCWeb has adopted a strategy of becoming a leading content distribution platform. As such, our flagship product UC Browser has also transformed itself from being the No.1 mobile browser in India, according to StatCounter.India is the most critical overseas market for UCWeb and this investment will help bring in the global mobile internet to an era of ‘GUF’ (Google, UCWeb, and Facebook).”

Earlier this month, UC News announced a detailed monetary compensation plan in a bid to offer unique content on UC News and further consolidate its position as a content distribution platform. UC News will also help contributors gain traffic, revenue and followers with the help of Big Data technology and smart content distribution system.

Alibaba mobile business group GM (overseas business) Kenny Ye said, “With growth in consumption of Information Feeds, non-conventional News Feeds – including blog posts, independent write ups, imagery feeds, video logs, short video content and more have become a huge hit. In the near future, we believe that more professionally trained content contributors will establish themselves as “We-Media”, a collective term for those who turn themselves into independent media brands. We also estimate that more and more digital content consumers will turn themselves into “prosumers” – consumers who also contribute to the content production, which will also contribute to the increase of digital content creators in India.”

“Our aim is to make the UC We-media Program the No. 1 platform for content consumption, creation and services in India and Indonesia. We plan to add more than 30,000 self-publishers, bloggers and key opinion leaders to our platform in 2017, generating over 10,000 articles for UC News, every single day,” Jack added.

“The We-media Platform supports with “Money, Service, and Traffic”, providing a well-operated mechanism to self-publishers, bloggers and KOLs in creating income and increasing their popularity. Our platform is to add value to every word they write with not just massive viewership, but also monetary profits, getting them “paid by millions”. For beginners and niche content writers, our program offers methodology for a deeper engagement, helping them draw advertisers and readers, Kenny said.

UCWeb will add resources to aid quality enhancement of vertical content and news in regional and minority languages. Content in entertainment, sports and technology category will remain the biggest focus areas for 2017. In addition, UCWeb will also offer column operation service to quality self-publishers, bloggers and KOLs.

UC News, available in three languages (Hindi, Indonesian and English), integrates trending content from social media and partners with traditional media, self-publishers and key opinion leaders for original content. According to a report released earlier this month by UC News analyzing key content preferences of Indian consumers on the mobile, over 87 per cent of UC News users are below-30 age bracket with almost 75 per cent users below 25 years of age. Men continue to be the dominant user group of UC News by almost six times versus women. Humor and Offbeat content in We-media Program are most popular amongst the audience reading in Hindi while Entertainment and Lifestyle scored with users reading in English. Total time spent consuming content on the mobile has seen a sharp uptick of 230 per cent in Q4 versus Q3. The total page views on UC News also rose over 290 per cent with content in Hindi seeing maximum traction. Indian users read in Hindi almost five times more than English on the mobile in 2016.

January 20, 2017
Amazon Prime Video India ties up with OML
MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video India has entered into a partnership with OML (Only Much Louder) to release 14 comedy specials exclusively for Amazon. The shows are set to launch in May.

“Each of the hour long specials will debut on the platform exclusively in May. OML best comedy talent will available to prime members exclusively and on demand,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani.

Recently, Zodiak Kids had announced that it has sold a series of titles to Amazon India, in a deal amassing over 100 hours. The shows are set to launch on Amazon Prime Video in early 2017.

Amazon India has acquired all four seasons of the popular children’s animation Horrid Henry. The show centres on a boy who constantly feels like life just is not fair. He is only a kid, but with a perfect little brother like Peter, a Mum and Dad who would love him dearly if only he starts behaving, well like a kid, and a moody girl next door who is on a mission to make Henry’s life miserable, who can blame him?

Talking about the partnership, Only Much Louder COO Ajay Nair adds “We are very excited to partner with Amazon Prime Video on this series of stand-up specials. Stand-up comedy in India has become massive over the last few years with a huge fan base across the country and the comics have worked tremendously hard to create and perform the funniest material for their fans. Amazon Prime Video is a great destination for fans to watch full hour-long sets of their favourite comics in one go.”

The comedians whose specials will be released as part of this partnership include:
- Sapan Verma (Obsessive Comedic Disorder has already launched on Amazon Prime Video in December 2016 to rave reviews)
- Sorabh Pant (My dad thinks he’s funny has already launched on Amazon Prime Video)
- Kanan Gill
- Kenny Sebastian (Don’t be that guy)
- Zakir Khan, (Single magar haq se)
- Biswa Kalyan Rath
- Naveen Richard (Don’t make that face)
- Anuvab Pal (Alive at 40)
- Varun Thakur (Vicky this side, Varun that side
- Azeem Banatwalla (Cometh the hour)
- Neville Shah
- Aadar Malik (Stand up – The Musical)
- S Aravind (Madrasi Da)
- EIC Outrage special, a live show based on EIC’s immensely popular EIC Outrage series will be part of the series.
These specials will be shot at iconic venues across the country in the first half of 2017 and two to three specials will be released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video every month.
January 19, 2017
Amazon Prime Video India ties up with OML
MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video India has entered into a partnership with OML (Only Much Louder) to release 14 comedy specials exclusively for Amazon. The shows are set to launch in May.

“Each of the hour long specials will debut on the platform exclusively in May. OML best comedy talent will available to prime members exclusively and on demand,” said Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani.

Recently, Zodiak Kids had announced that it has sold a series of titles to Amazon India, in a deal amassing over 100 hours. The shows are set to launch on Amazon Prime Video in early 2017.

Amazon India has acquired all four seasons of the popular children’s animation Horrid Henry. The show centres on a boy who constantly feels like life just is not fair. He is only a kid, but with a perfect little brother like Peter, a Mum and Dad who would love him dearly if only he starts behaving, well like a kid, and a moody girl next door who is on a mission to make Henry’s life miserable, who can blame him?

Talking about the partnership, Only Much Louder COO Ajay Nair adds “We are very excited to partner with Amazon Prime Video on this series of stand-up specials. Stand-up comedy in India has become massive over the last few years with a huge fan base across the country and the comics have worked tremendously hard to create and perform the funniest material for their fans. Amazon Prime Video is a great destination for fans to watch full hour-long sets of their favourite comics in one go.”

The comedians whose specials will be released as part of this partnership include:
- Sapan Verma (Obsessive Comedic Disorder has already launched on Amazon Prime Video in December 2016 to rave reviews)
- Sorabh Pant (My dad thinks he’s funny has already launched on Amazon Prime Video)
- Kanan Gill
- Kenny Sebastian (Don’t be that guy)
- Zakir Khan, (Single magar haq se)
- Biswa Kalyan Rath
- Naveen Richard (Don’t make that face)
- Anuvab Pal (Alive at 40)
- Varun Thakur (Vicky this side, Varun that side
- Azeem Banatwalla (Cometh the hour)
- Neville Shah
- Aadar Malik (Stand up – The Musical)
- S Aravind (Madrasi Da)
- EIC Outrage special, a live show based on EIC’s immensely popular EIC Outrage series will be part of the series.
These specials will be shot at iconic venues across the country in the first half of 2017 and two to three specials will be released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video every month.
January 19, 2017
Dedicated wellness content on SonyLiv

MUMBAI: India’s health concerns are perhaps the most unique across the globe. While it is home to 40 per cent of the global underweight population, it is also in the list of the top five countries having the highest rate of obesity and is among the top three nations with the largest diabetic population .

These dichotomies make it apparent that there is a dire need for awareness regarding health and wellness in the country and a pressing requirement for easily accessible information on the same.

To plug this gap, SonyLiv, the complete digital entertainment platform with content for the audience across genres, has announced the launch of LIV Fit, the first-ever health and wellness segment on an OTT platform in the country.

LIV Fit will go live on SonyLiv from 19 January and will cater to the rising requirement for high-quality advice and tips on ways to maintain optimal levels of wellness amongst Indians. From workout videos and diet plans to motivational content on ways to follow through a weight loss/gain programme, LIV Fit will offer a rich catalogue of the choicest information for its users. The best part is that viewers can access this plethora of knowledge and nuggets of nutritional wisdom in the most convenient formats on any device of their choice.

SonyLiv’s health and wellness content will be like none other available online and will feature some of the country’s most renowned and celebrated fitness enthusiasts and trainers. From Suniel Shetty and his team of trainers to Mickey Mehta, Nawaz Modi Singhania, Yasim Karachiwala, Ramona Braganza and Satya, the A-list of fitness trainers will be on LIV Fit sharing the tips in most effective and entertaining way which will help the viewers shed extra flab and keep lifestyle diseases at bay. This will lead to enhanced engagement with viewers that is also likely to augment and sustain their interest in meeting their diet and exercise goals.

With this move, SonyLiv has further widened its bouquet of relevant content offerings for users. Health and wellness have emerged as some of the most sought-after subjects for content consumption in India. Through LIV Fit, the entertainment platform is catering to the needs of its viewers for expert, reliable and easily accessible ways to stay in shape. The series will be available on a paid subscription basis for users.

Sony Pictures Networks India EVP and head – digital business Uday Sodhi said, “Lifestyle diseases in India are growing at an alarming rate. Hectic lives, irregular nutrition, long days have all added to the woes of the average Indians who are often at a loss when it comes to dependable and verifiable ways to prevent and reverse damage to their bodies. With a keen understanding of this situation, we at SonyLiv decided to fill the gap with content that comes from the most reliable sources and is packaged in the most conveniently consumable ways. With the best of health and fitness gurus on board, we are certain that LIV Fit will be a great hit with our users and will make a tangible impact on their lives.”

Actor and fitness guru Suniel Shetty said, “With too many platforms, offering content on health and wellness, there are chances that people can go wrong with their diet regime or the exercise routine they adopt. My endeavour in the last few years has been to spread correct and tested health and fitness advice amongst as many people as possible.I am happy to be associated with a platform like SonyLiv which enjoys an extensive reach and a large viewer base all over the country.”

Brilliant Living TV founder and CEO Adarsh Gupta said, “From being a passion of a very small percentage of India’s population, Fitness has fast emerged as a mass Megatrend in the last few years. Given that there was a huge gap in the market for reliable quality content in this Genre, Brilliant Living TV has successfully capitalised on this opportunity and has emerged as the Best player in this space. Given that SonyLiv has emered as one of the most happening OTT brand in the Media space, this is a mutually complementing tie up that will ensure that the millions of SonyLiv users will finally experience “Fitness mein Entertainment ka Tadka”.

January 19, 2017
Dedicated wellness content on SonyLiv

MUMBAI: India’s health concerns are perhaps the most unique across the globe. While it is home to 40 per cent of the global underweight population, it is also in the list of the top five countries having the highest rate of obesity and is among the top three nations with the largest diabetic population .

These dichotomies make it apparent that there is a dire need for awareness regarding health and wellness in the country and a pressing requirement for easily accessible information on the same.

To plug this gap, SonyLiv, the complete digital entertainment platform with content for the audience across genres, has announced the launch of LIV Fit, the first-ever health and wellness segment on an OTT platform in the country.

LIV Fit will go live on SonyLiv from 19 January and will cater to the rising requirement for high-quality advice and tips on ways to maintain optimal levels of wellness amongst Indians. From workout videos and diet plans to motivational content on ways to follow through a weight loss/gain programme, LIV Fit will offer a rich catalogue of the choicest information for its users. The best part is that viewers can access this plethora of knowledge and nuggets of nutritional wisdom in the most convenient formats on any device of their choice.

SonyLiv’s health and wellness content will be like none other available online and will feature some of the country’s most renowned and celebrated fitness enthusiasts and trainers. From Suniel Shetty and his team of trainers to Mickey Mehta, Nawaz Modi Singhania, Yasim Karachiwala, Ramona Braganza and Satya, the A-list of fitness trainers will be on LIV Fit sharing the tips in most effective and entertaining way which will help the viewers shed extra flab and keep lifestyle diseases at bay. This will lead to enhanced engagement with viewers that is also likely to augment and sustain their interest in meeting their diet and exercise goals.

With this move, SonyLiv has further widened its bouquet of relevant content offerings for users. Health and wellness have emerged as some of the most sought-after subjects for content consumption in India. Through LIV Fit, the entertainment platform is catering to the needs of its viewers for expert, reliable and easily accessible ways to stay in shape. The series will be available on a paid subscription basis for users.

Sony Pictures Networks India EVP and head – digital business Uday Sodhi said, “Lifestyle diseases in India are growing at an alarming rate. Hectic lives, irregular nutrition, long days have all added to the woes of the average Indians who are often at a loss when it comes to dependable and verifiable ways to prevent and reverse damage to their bodies. With a keen understanding of this situation, we at SonyLiv decided to fill the gap with content that comes from the most reliable sources and is packaged in the most conveniently consumable ways. With the best of health and fitness gurus on board, we are certain that LIV Fit will be a great hit with our users and will make a tangible impact on their lives.”

Actor and fitness guru Suniel Shetty said, “With too many platforms, offering content on health and wellness, there are chances that people can go wrong with their diet regime or the exercise routine they adopt. My endeavour in the last few years has been to spread correct and tested health and fitness advice amongst as many people as possible.I am happy to be associated with a platform like SonyLiv which enjoys an extensive reach and a large viewer base all over the country.”

Brilliant Living TV founder and CEO Adarsh Gupta said, “From being a passion of a very small percentage of India’s population, Fitness has fast emerged as a mass Megatrend in the last few years. Given that there was a huge gap in the market for reliable quality content in this Genre, Brilliant Living TV has successfully capitalised on this opportunity and has emerged as the Best player in this space. Given that SonyLiv has emered as one of the most happening OTT brand in the Media space, this is a mutually complementing tie up that will ensure that the millions of SonyLiv users will finally experience “Fitness mein Entertainment ka Tadka”.

January 19, 2017
Idea petitions TDSAT against TRAI; price war set to escalate

MUMBAI: Idea Cellular has petitioned TDSAT seeking to stop Reliance Jio from continuing free services till 31 March. In December 2016, India’s largest telco Bharti Airtel had moved the tribunal over the same issue.

TDSAT had, in its last hearing, directed TRAI to come to a conclusion in “reasonable time”.

Jio’s free services have set off a price war. After Reliance proposing investment of Rs 30,000 crore by end of this fiscal, the war is set to escalate. The recent cut-down — by approximately 66 per cent — in data rates impacted Idea’s stock prices. Airtel’s stock too was in the list of the losers on Nifty.

India’s third largest wireless operator Idea Cellular, run by the multi-billion dollar conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, has now filed a petition in the appellate telecom tribunal (TDSAT) against the telecom regulator TRAI. According to an unidentified TRAI official, the authority has sought opinion of attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi on the matter related to Jio’s extension of free services.

TRAI chairman R.S. Sharma said that everybody in India was free to move court. The Constitution provided them the right. TRA was looking into the matter of Jio’s promotional services and the presentations / arguments made by other operators, and would decide the issue very soon.

Airtel had said that TRAI was allowing Jio to continue with its free internet services beyond the stipulated 90-days time period. It had accused TRAI of acting as a “mute spectator” and killing competition in the sector by allowing Jio to offer free services. Rival telcos had said the free services were predatory in nature.

Also Read:

Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

Rs 30k cr to enhance Jio coverage; A-G clears DoT’s power to penalise telcos

Q3-17: Reliance: Jio busts records, organized retail op profit grows 55 percent

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

January 19, 2017
Idea petitions TDSAT against TRAI; price war set to escalate

MUMBAI: Idea Cellular has petitioned TDSAT seeking to stop Reliance Jio from continuing free services till 31 March. In December 2016, India’s largest telco Bharti Airtel had moved the tribunal over the same issue.

TDSAT had, in its last hearing, directed TRAI to come to a conclusion in “reasonable time”.

Jio’s free services have set off a price war. After Reliance proposing investment of Rs 30,000 crore by end of this fiscal, the war is set to escalate. The recent cut-down — by approximately 66 per cent — in data rates impacted Idea’s stock prices. Airtel’s stock too was in the list of the losers on Nifty.

India’s third largest wireless operator Idea Cellular, run by the multi-billion dollar conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, has now filed a petition in the appellate telecom tribunal (TDSAT) against the telecom regulator TRAI. According to an unidentified TRAI official, the authority has sought opinion of attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi on the matter related to Jio’s extension of free services.

TRAI chairman R.S. Sharma said that everybody in India was free to move court. The Constitution provided them the right. TRA was looking into the matter of Jio’s promotional services and the presentations / arguments made by other operators, and would decide the issue very soon.

Airtel had said that TRAI was allowing Jio to continue with its free internet services beyond the stipulated 90-days time period. It had accused TRAI of acting as a “mute spectator” and killing competition in the sector by allowing Jio to offer free services. Rival telcos had said the free services were predatory in nature.

Also Read:

Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

Rs 30k cr to enhance Jio coverage; A-G clears DoT’s power to penalise telcos

Q3-17: Reliance: Jio busts records, organized retail op profit grows 55 percent

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

January 19, 2017