Category: Technology

NEW DELHI: Ruling out any further shift in digitisation deadline, the Government has told local cable operators (LCOs) that there will be no relaxation in the sunset date for shutting off analogue and switching on to digital access systems by 1 November 2012 in the four metros.

Information and Broadcasting Ministry Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) Supriya Sahu also told the LCOs that all issues that they still had should be sorted out with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).

Sahu said that arrangements had been made for seeding a sufficient number of digital set top boxes in the metros, and said there was no reason for LCOs to protest the digitisation mandate.

She also said that problems related to registration in local post offices could be sorted out locally and need not be brought to the Ministry. The LCOs were complaining that registration was being given for only up to one year and there was no guarantee that it would be extended.

Later in a meeting with Trai chairman Dr Khuller, the LCOs were told there could be no change of Rs 45 in the share of the LCOs in the subscriber fee as this had been cleared by Parliament.

The cable operators who had come from different parts of the country and were led by A S Kohli of Delhi sought to plead with Trai that the rate could be not be lower than the one they were already getting, and also reiterated that the entire work of maintenance and bill collection was being done by them and not the multi-system operators.

MUMBAI: Siti Cable Network Ltd, formerly Wire and Wireless (India) Ltd, is raising Rs 3.24 billion from promoter firms to cut its debt and fund digitisation.

The company has received shareholders‘ approval for issue of warrants convertible into equity shares to overseas promoter group companies Essel International Ltd and Essel Media Ventures Ltd.

The Subhash Chandra-promoted multi-system operator (MSO) has a debt of Rs 4.5 billion.

The funds will also be for acquisition of MSOs, local cable operators (LCOs) and to meet the working capital requirements.

Essel International and Essel Media will invest the amount in tranches with the first tranche being 25 per cent of the issue price on allotment of warrants on a preferential basis. The balance amount will have to be paid by the two promoter companies within 18 months from the allotment of the warrants.

Siti Cable will issue 16,20,00,000 warrants convertible into equivalent number of equity shares at a price of Rs 20 per warrant. The shares of the company closed at Rs 20.55 per share, down 2.38 per cent, at close on Friday on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The combined shareholding of Essel International and Essel Media will rise to 29.99 per cent after the two companies pay the full price of the warrants and convert them into shares, from the current 4.90 per cent. Simultaneously, the shareholding of other promoters (which includes Bioscope Cinemas Pvt Ltd with 57.95 per cent stake) will after the conversion of the warrants, fall to 43.09 per cent from 58.53 per cent. Essel Media currently has 3.63 per cent stake and Essel International 1.27 per cent.

The total promoter shareholding after conversion of all the warrants will rise to 73.08 per cent from 63.43 per cent now and that of the public will drop to 26.92 per cent from 36.57 per cent.

The price of the warrants is at a premium of 10 per cent over the price arrived at on the basis of SEBI regulations.

The company has filed for approval of the warrant issue with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) as the two promoter group companies are registered overseas.

The name of the company was changed to Siti Cable Network Ltd following a fresh certificate of registration based on a special resolution passed by the shareholders on 30 August 2012.

MUMBAI: Pace, a leading technology developer for pay TV and broadband service provider, has said that its pre-integrated software, conditional access and set-top box (STB) solution has been selected by three Indian cable operators, Delhi Distribution Company (DDC), Faction Digital, New Delhi and Kozhikode Cablecommunicators Ltd.(KCL), Calicut, to support their move to digital cable.

Pace has designed its pre-integrated solution to provide a cost-effective alternative to operators who need a high quality pay-TV platform but don‘t have the time or infrastructure to manage multiple technology partners or complex systems integration work.

Pace‘s pre-integrated solution incorporates Pace‘s Tungsten device software and Titanium Conditional Access System (CAS) as standard on a Standard Definition (SD) or High Definition (HD) set-top box.

The Indian version of the solution includes a Pace India-developed user interface (UI) created specifically for local consumer browsing preferences in terms of colour and design, including a button on the box itself so that users can operate all functions if their remote control is missing or out of action.

DDC, Faction and KCL have selected the Pace solution to enable swift rollout of digital services to their customers as part of this process, which will see 80 million Indian households transitioned to digital services by the deadline. The solution‘s design allows the operators to quickly deploy digital services to customers via an SD set-top box, and then add PVR capabilities or additional services in the field over time, if and when their requirements change.

Pace International president Shane McCarthy said, “Pace aims to offer operators as many options as possible. The cost and time pressures for Indian operators are huge, and working with multiple partners to develop, integrate and deliver their service platform is not a realistic option.

“We have developed our pre-integrated solution to make operators‘ lives easier by giving them the option of a single source for their software, hardware and CAS. It provides DDC, Faction and KCL with a straightforward and cost-effective way of moving their subscribers to digital, while maintaining the high quality that customers have come to expect from Pace. This not only delivers up-front but also keeps customers‘ longer-term costs down.”

MUMBAI: KIT digital, a leading video management software and services company, has introduced the latest version of its video-on-demand (VOD) store solution which will allow content owners and service providers to establish a fully managed and monetised VOD capability.

The new release provides a number of enhancements including a new editorial and media workflow interface, which allows multiple endpoints to be served by a single editorial process.

“The VOD store sits on top of our flexible Cosmos video management platform to create a seamless ingest, publishing and delivery system. Combined with the skill and expertise of our systems integration and managed services teams, we can help our customers get innovative products to market rapidly,” said KIT Digital Chief Technology Officer Mark Christie.

The core of KIT digital‘s VOD Store solution is the Cosmos video management platform, a scalable, broadcast-grade video content management system for multi-screen delivery solutions. With the VOD Store solution, companies can centrally manage video assets for delivery to PC, connected TVs, set-top boxes, game consoles, tablets and smartphones.

Cosmos supports a range of revenue generation models including advertising, pay-per-view and subscription, all underpinned by flexible packaging and pricing tools that give content owners full control of merchandising. The VOD Store solution can be integrated with a wide variety of leading digital rights management (DRM) providers through Cosmos Guard, the platform‘s DRM abstraction layer. Cosmos Guard gives access to a comprehensive set of content protection options across a wide range of devices.

Alongside Cosmos‘ improved editorial user interface, the new VOD Store solution also includes support for multi-channel authoring and publishing, allowing editorial and business users to target content to different devices and geographies. It also includes full multi-lingual support including RTL languages and in-context editing allowing editorial staff to quickly modify promotions and other aspects of the user experience.

NEW DELHI: The process for the 2G e-auctions as directed by the Supreme Court will commence on 28 September with the issue of notice inviting applications.

The e-auction for the 1800 MHz band will begin on 12 November and that for the 800 MHz will be held two days after the close of the first auction. The payment of the successful bid amount will have to be made within ten calendar days of the close of the respective e-auctions.

In its judgment of 2 February this year, the Supreme Court had declared illegal and quashed the licences granted to the private respondents on or after 10 January 2008 pursuant to two press releases issued on 10 January 2008 and subsequent allocation of spectrum to the licensees. The direction became operative after four months.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) was asked to make fresh recommendations for grant of licence and allocation of Spectrum in 2G band in 22 service areas by auction, as was done for allocation of spectrum in 3G band.
The Central Government was asked to consider the recommendations of Trai and take appropriate decision within next one month and grant fresh licences by auction.

The Information Memorandum for Auction in 1800MHz and 800MHz bands has already been issued giving timelines for the conduct of the auction.

Official sources said the Government has through Request for Proposal (RFP) process engaged . Times Internet Limited (lead partner) and e-Procurement Technologies Ltd. as consortium partner for design and conduct of the auction.

The timelines for auctions is given below :

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat) is to hear early next week petitions by multi-system operators Digicable Networks (India), Delhi Distribution Company, United Cable Operator’s Welfare Association and others challenging the digital tariff order of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).

Although Tdsat had issued notice to Trai and the Union of India in this connection on 2 July, it was informed today that the regulator had filed its reply in early August and the Chaiperson Justice S B Sinha and member P K Rastogi had listed the matter for 24 August, but it could not be taken up for pressure of work. However, Tdsat decided to hear the matter next week when it was mentioned by counsel that it could not be delayed because of the sunset date for digitisation.

It will also hear a petition by IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL) in this regard, and has permitted news broadcasters NDTV, Time Global (holding company of Times Now), India TV, TV Today, Total TV, and News Broadcaster‘s Association (NBA), Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), and other broadcasters to be a party to it.
Digicable has approached the broadcast tribunal opposing the sector regulator’s new revenue sharing mechanism. In its petition, Digicable said Trai’s tariff order is “unjust, unfair, unreasonable, arbitrary, irrational, and discriminatory” and is tilted towards the broadcasters.

According to the Trai tariff order, charges collected from the subscription of paid channels or bouquet of paid channels shall be shared in the ratio of 65:35 between MSO and the local cable operator (LCO) respectively.

Earlier, local cable operators had opposed the Trai tariff order. United Cable Operator’s Welfare Association, New Delhi, has approached the Tdsat seeking better revenue share from the MSOs and an extension in date for digitisation.

Meanwhile, the deadline for the first phase of digitisation in the four metros has already been postponed by four months to 1 November.

MUMBAI: Digital marketing agency Digitas India has introduced its integrated e-commerce offering in India.

It has launched an end-to-end e-commerce solution for brands seeking to launch and maintain a professional and effective retail presence on the internet. This e-commerce solution has a “vast selection” of technology capabilities. It can be used to build every store conceivable, from a small boutique to an entire online mall.

Digitas‘ new offering claims to not only build the online store but also help users achieve desired RoI by ensuring traffic and motivation to buy by “romancing” the customer throughout the consumer‘s online journey. This includes visual presentation, reviews, ratings, social connects and demonstrations.

Digitas India president Kanika Mathur said “We romance the customer using insights, visual presentation and technology to give them a unique experience leading to enhanced RoI and business results”.

The features of the new service also include real time inventory updates from multiple warehouses, contact center system, multi dimension coupon system, multi mode payment gateway with cash on delivery / EMI Options, a 360 degree e-commerce eco-system, chat and banner management and a recommendation engine.

Digitas uses insights based on data, to plan an optimal media mix. This helps their clients in defining their target group. It uses SEO, SEM, Display and Mobile combined with a layer of remarketing for precision targeting.

Digitas APAC president Vincent Digonnet said, “Digitas‘ experience in e-Commerce includes building and managing several commerce strategies for clients across APAC including China and India. Our e-commerce experience allows us to quickly, get your e-store ready-sometimes in as less as 4-6 weeks. But ours is not just a technology offering or a DIY template which many tech companies offer. We truly believe that to make any brands e-commerce strategy successful, you need to ensure that people visit and buy from your e-store. The difference that Digitas commerce brings to the table is that we put a marketing lens on our technology engine and move from just ‘product listing‘ to ‘romancing the product‘!”

“Our engine can be customized and personalised completely, helping brands take the leap from soft marketing to driving sales” he further added.

According to Forrester, the Indian e-Commerce market in India will reach $1.6 billion in 2012 and is expected to grow fivefold, reaching $ 8.8 billion by 2016.

Mumbai: Professional networking site LinkedIn has launched the upgraded version of its mobile applications.

The upgraded LinkedIn mobile app is available on all operating systems – iOS, Android, Symbian.

It aims to provide “simple” and “dynamic” solutions to professionals, helping them to be more productive and successful.

With this upgrade, the mobile applications will now have enhanced features like Jobs, Jobs You May be Interested In (JYMBII), Notifications and Company Pages. These new features will arm LinkedIn members with important professional intelligence on the go, the company said.

LinkedIn India country manager Hari V.Krishnan said, “Being the fastest-growing consumer service on LinkedIn, mobile is an extremely important part of our offerings for professionals. Keeping in mind that today‘s workforce is constantly on the move, enhancing our mobile platform is a conscious step towards making our members more productive and successful. Our team of world class engineers is focused on developing tools that our members see value in.”

Additionally, LinkedIn also announced the launch of the iPad application in several international languages like French, German, Italian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Korean.

The upgraded LinkedIn mobile App is free and available immediately for members to download on their mobile devices.

MUMBAI: DisneyUTV Digital, the digital business of DisneyUTV, has associated with Gameloft, a leading international publisher and developer of games, to distribute their mobile games in India via operator channels and UTV Indiagames‘ destination sites.

Gamers in India will now have access to global games like Asphalt 6: Adrenaline – from the blockbuster Asphalt franchise, Prince of Persia Forgotten Sands – an epic adventure game from the Prince of Persia saga series, along with some latest releases like The Dark Knight Rises – an action game inspired by the movie trilogy‘s final chapter.

The tie up will also bring the Indian audiences Marvel titles like Ironman, The Avengers and Amazing-Spiderman – the official web-slinging adventure game.

These games will be available on Java phones with select titles available on Android as well. Gamers can download the titles in the price range of Rs 30/50/99.

“This is one of the most strategic alliances that we have made especially in light of some of the MARVEL franchises that we will be able to engage Indian audiences with, in addition to the world class repertoire of Gameloft IPs. The gamer base in India is expanding rapidly and at this critical juncture we believe the right content offering will catalyze growth further.”, said DisneyUTV MD-Digital Samir Bangara.

Gameloft India country manager Sarabjeet Singh said, “Gameloft has been distributing its games for over 5 years in India, and we are thankful to our Indian fans for the strong interest and appreciation they have shown over these years. We are now pleased to partner with the digital team of DisneyUTV who will be distributing our mobile games via the various operator channels in India. We are confident of their rich experience and local expertise in the market and will be working closely with them to bring our Indian users an even better gaming experience.”

NEW DELHI: Delhi-based Home Cable is readying to move the Delhi High Court to appeal against the cancellation by the government of its MSO registration late last month.

Viklki Chaudhry who owns the MSO said he will now approach the Delhi High Court to appeal against this “arbitray order issued with mala fide intentions by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry” and will also raise the issues that “we have pointed out numerous times but which have been conveniently ignored for reasons best known to the ministry officials”.

He said Home Cable had sent information regarding digital access system information as required and the punitive action was therefore “completely arbitrary after the Ministry failed to respond to our queries”.

Alleging that I&B Minister Ambika Soni was being misguided by the Secretary, he said the Ministry had overlooked the interests of the consumers in its hurry to implement the DAS Regulation.

The statement points out that the MSO has repeatedly pointed out during the entire digitisation consultation process that:

1. Domestic manufacturing of the set-top boxes (STBs) should be encouraged so that there is no dependence on the Chinese import, as there is requirement of billions of these STBs to be supplied/ installed at every consumer home in the country depending on the number of TV sets owned by a household.

2. What the consumer will pay in order to obtain the digital STB is still unclear and no details are available about warranty and after sales service of imported boxes.

3. The fee to be paid by the consumer to the pay channels/service cost per month was still unclear. He said the former Trai chairman had deliberately kept this issue under forbearance and did not fix any tariff / rates for the pay TV channels as he was to retire within 15 days from the day he had to issue the tariff notification of forbearance for the pay TV channels. This may result in consumers end up paying three to four times more for the cable TV subscription each month.

4. The LCO/ LMO s are not being brought under the ambit of this DAS regulation. Though they are the people who are solely responsible for convincing the subscribers, install STB, collection of subscription and servicing 24×7 with some QoS at the consumer homes. At least they should also be asked to get registered for longer duration and some norms for providing Quality of Service (Q0S) to the consumers be defined for them. Otherwise, we will see the consumers being put to exploitation and undue hardship.

5. Why has DTH also not been brought under the DAS regulation when it is the same content/product that is being provided to the consumers, Chaudhary wants to know. “Are the present Government and the Ministry officials bent upon making the business of already bleeding DTH companies by making the cable TV services costlier for the consumers so that these companies increase their subscriptions to consumers , providing an opportunity for these ventures to be commercially viable? Today DTH has to meet up with the prevailing cable TV rates in the country when offering their packages. Cable operators cannot increase the rates to keep them affordable by the masses.”

Home Cable will now be evoking the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court to appeal against this arbitrary order issued with mala fide intentions by the I&B Ministry and will also raise the issues that “we have pointed out numerous times but they have been conveniently ignoring for reasons best known to the Ministry officials”, the statement stated.