ITV

Category: Software

  • Revised reserve price for spectrum auction cut to half

    Revised reserve price for spectrum auction cut to half

    NEW DELHI: Following the failure of the November 2012 auction for 2G spectrum, the government has decided that the reserve price for 800 MHz band in all service areas will be reduced by 50 per cent from the previous reserve price.

    The previous reserve price was approved by the Cabinet in its meeting held on 3 August 2012, following directions of the Supreme Court for fresh auction.

    The revision had to be done as no bids were received during auctions held for 800 MHz band (CDMA) for all service areas in November 2012.

    The cabinet decided that pricing of spectrum for current spectrum holding in the 800 MHz band (CDMA) by existing operators in the 800 MHz band at the reserve price will hold till auction discovered price is available.

    This follows the recommendations of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM).

    The above decisions are expected to result in further efficient utilisation of the scarce natural resource of spectrum facilitating proliferation of telecom services in the country.

  • I&B sees need to regulate local cable TV channels, seeks Trai’s views

    I&B sees need to regulate local cable TV channels, seeks Trai’s views

    MUMBAI: Alarmed by the mushrooming of cable channels, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has sought the recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding issues relating to transmission of local channels or ground based channels operated at the level of cable TV operator/MSOs.

    In its reference to Trai, the MIB has sought to know whether there was a need to put in place a comprehensive set of provisions for local channels which would cover issues related to registration mechanism, including eligibility requirements, fee, terms and conditions to be provided for such channels, including the definition of local or ground based channels and their area of operation.

    In the reference to Trai, MIB has also sought its views with regard to the issue of transmission of local channels at local cable operator level in Digital Addressable System (DAS) regime.

    Trai in its recommendations dated 25 July, 2008 had recommended that Local Channel Operators (LCOs) shall be permitted to transmit their ground based channels.

    However, in the current DAS regime only digital addressable signals can be carried out on the cable network which is generated at the MSO head end.

    The Ministry in its reference has also requested Trai to state whether there was a case for putting a cap on the total number of ground based channels operated by a single MSO/cable operator.

    Trai has also been requested to examine whether there was a need to prescribe separate eligibility criteria for cable operators transmitting local news and current affairs channels at their level.

    Specific recommendations have been sought with regard to eligibility criteria, terms and conditions including foreign investment levels, net worth criteria and requirement of security clearance etc. for such channels.
     
    The need for putting in place a regulatory framework for local channels being operated at the level of cable TV operators has been engaging attention of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for quite some time.

    This has assumed a greater significance in view of the digitisation of cable TV sector being implemented in the entire country in a phased time bound manner. Presently, Cable TV operators/MSOs are transmitting local news, videos and other locally developed content as separate televisions channels in addition to satellite TV channels obtained from broadcasters.

    These channels, popularly known as local channels, are presently not subject to a regulatory framework unlike private satellite TV channels permitted under the uplinking/downlinking guidelines of the Ministry. As a result, local channels continue to mushroom all over the country without having registration /license.

    Since the area/jurisdiction within which the programme generated at the level of cable operators can be transmitted has not been defined in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, it is possible for Local Cable Operators (LCOs)/Multi System Operators (MSOs) operating at the local levels to broadcast local channels over a larger geographical area i.e at Regional/State/National level by transmitting the same content over their entire network.

    Instances have been brought to the notice of the Ministry that some cable operators are also venturing into transmission of local channels over wider geographical area which includes inter-state and intra state transmission by sharing the same content with others on their network. In such a scenario, local channels are basically operating as State/Regional/National channels like permitted private satellite TV channels without getting any permission.

    The intent of allowing cable operators to generate and transmit local programme is to keep the local people informed of relevant local issues. However this intent is not fulfilled when LCOs and MSOs start networking of the content to cover a larger geographical area. Given the present state of technological advancement, the tendency to network content at a larger geographical area has gained strength, the MIB said in a statement.

  • Eros Now launches Tamil movie section

    Eros Now launches Tamil movie section

    MUMBAI: Online movie platform Eros Now has launched a selection of Tamil movies on the festive occasion of Pongal. It is also offering a seven day free trial for new subscribers to the service to celebrate this festive season.

    With access to a vast library of Tamil movies from the Ayngaran Studio, Eros Now will be adding many more titles in the coming months in its aim to expand its reach to a larger South Asian audience.

    The first set of Tamil movies has already been uploaded on the website. The portal has also updated its library with Tamil versions of some super-hit Hindi films like RA.One and English Vinglish.

    Eros Now offers over 250 films now in two different languages along with a vast library of music videos and short form content.

  • Digicable upgrades to Conax Contego Plus content security solution

    Digicable upgrades to Conax Contego Plus content security solution

    MUMBAI: Conax, global provider of leading solutions for securing multi-device and digital TV services, has said that Digicable has upgraded to the Conax Contego Plus content security solution.

    The pan-Indian MSO already achieved one million digitized subscribers, but has also recently contracted an additional 600.000 secure client devices from Conax to meet expansion and pay-TV growth demands of the many regions the MSO serves cross-India.

    The Conax Contego Plus upgrade is providing Digicable with a future-oriented, secure solution that supports advanced, flexible, interactive on-demand services enabling a bouquet of rich features, viewing options and services for subscribers, while ensure Digicable content revenues are secure.
     
    Digicable CTO Asif Khan said, "We are very pleased with the personal level of 24/7 operational service and integrity provided by Conax and are highly confident that Contego Plus will play a strong role in positioning Digicable into the future. Conax offers an excellent security record, flexible solutions and provides a forward-thinking policy towards partners, allowing us to select from a wide range of Conax security-certified devices and vendors that best suit our operational needs."

    Conax VP Asia Sales Are Mathisen said, "Conax is proud to that Digicable has reconfirmed their partnership with Conax and selected the Conax Contego Plus solution for driving their operations and secure consumer offerings to the next level. Digicable has achieved a significant milestone in digitisation race and has now taken an additional leap forward in positioning for the long term with a partner that provides both the highest level of security and the most flexible, cost-saving pre-integrated multiscreen solutions in a market which offers tremendous growth potential."

  • Eutelsat commences commercial service of 70B satellite

    Eutelsat commences commercial service of 70B satellite

    MUMBAI: Eutelsat Communications said that it has commenced the commercial service of the Eutelsat 70B satellite at 70.5° East.

    The company transferred all the traffic from Eutelsat 70A satellite which was carried out overnight by Eutelsat‘s control centre, working in close collaboration with clients and providers of uplink services.

    Eutelsat 70B has been custom-designed to optimise resources at 70.5° East which has been occupied by a Eutelsat satellite since 2002 and is a point of reference for data services, broadband access, GSM backhauling and professional video exchanges.

    With high frequency reuse, four powerful beams with coverage of Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia are connected to 48 Ku-band transponders, more than doubling capacity at 70.5° East.

    The new satellite‘s entry into service releases Eutelsat 70A which will be redeployed to 25.5° East until the launch of Eutelsat 25B in the middle of 2013. Eutelsat 25A will be redeployed from 25.5° East to an alternative location.

  • Jayaraman resigns from Hathway Cable & Datacom

    Jayaraman resigns from Hathway Cable & Datacom

    MUMBAI: K Jayaraman, long serving chief executive officer and recently appointed vice chairman of Hathway Cable and Datacom, has put in his papers.

    In a restructuring last month, Hathwayappointed former Reliance Media and Entertainment President Jagdish Kumar as MD and CEO of the company, while Jayaraman was made vice chairman. Kumar was directly reporting to the board.

    “Jayaraman has put in his papers. But his resignation has not been accepted. He will have to serve a six-month notice period,” says a source.

    Indian cable companies are in the midst of a transition from analogue to digital mode of delivery. The first phase of digitisation kicked off in November and the second phase across 38 cities is from 1 April.

    Also read:

    Jagdish Kumar new Hathway Cable CEO; Jayaraman made vice chairman

  • InCablenet to deploy Entropic’s STB SoC technology

    InCablenet to deploy Entropic’s STB SoC technology

    MUMBAI: India‘s leading cable multi-system operator (MSO) InCablenet has deployed Entropic‘s set top box (STB) system-on-a-chip (SoC) technology, the CX2448x.

    The deployment of Entropic‘s STB SoC will enable advanced digital broadcast and broadband services to the 8.5 million cable-connected TV homes InCablenet serves across India.

    The partnership with Entropic will allow InCablenet to gain access to a state-of-the-art solution with advanced features such as DVR capability that will give them a competitive edge throughout the digitization transition.

    "India‘s cable TV market is poised for a broad network upgrade to provide compelling, interactive and affordable digital services to more than 130 million subscribers," said IMCL MD Ravi Mansukhani.

    "This opportunity has led us to strategic partners like Entropic, who have a reputable local presence with Standard-Definition SoCs, can minimize new product time-to-market with pre-established Conditional Access relationships, and can help us increase revenue by enabling value-added digitization services."

    "Given the ‘analog sunset‘ timeframe and the number of potential set-top boxes to be deployed, we worked closely with Entropic to customize a silicon solution for InCablenet‘s client devices," said Novabase Digital TV MD Michael Pauli.

    "Our set-top boxes leverage Entropic‘s advanced silicon and software, which allowed us to focus on delivering a product-to-market quickly while ensuring flexibility, functionality, and cost optimization all remained high priorities."

    The Entropic SoC had several security features including advanced Conditional Access (CA) integration with Nagra for protection against piracy; an advanced one-time-programmable (OTP) memory technology to personalize individual STBs with unique serial numbers and encryption keys; and uses embedded cryptographic technology for secure authentication of any STB system software loaded into the Flash memory.

  • I&B Ministry presses for convergence regulation

    I&B Ministry presses for convergence regulation

    NEW DELHI: Information & Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari on Wednesday said he would talk to Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal to impress upon him the need to create a statutory mechanism to address issues related to convergence across media, entertainment and telecom.

    "Convergence across media, entertainment and telecom space specially with digitisation kicking in, is inevitable. Therefore, at some point in time there will have to be an overarching (legal) architecture which looks at it holistically," Tewari told reporters on the sidelines of Convergence India 2013.

    Admitting that convergence is a reality which cannot be ignored, he said: "I will talk to my senior colleague, the minster of telecom (Kapil Sibal) and see if we can work out a modus operandi whereby we can put a statutory architecture on the convergence format."

    Efforts have earlier been made to have a legal framework for convergence of the three sectors. A Convergence Bill was tabled in Parliament more than a decade ago. The bill has sought to create an autonomous commission to regulate carriage of all forms of communications, and for establishment of an appellate tribunal and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

    The bill aimed at promoting, facilitating and developing in an orderly manner the carriage and content of communications (including broadcasting, telecommunications and multimedia). The Convergence Bill had sought amalgamation of Information Technology (IT), Telecommunications and entertainment industry by replacing the Telegraph Act of 1985 and the Indian Wireless Act of 1933.

    Tewari admitted that the convergence bill tabled earlier could not be worked on. "The EGoM (empowered group of ministers) will work on the prevalent conditions," he said.

    Need to encourage production of indigenous STBs

    Tewari said one of the government‘s primary concerns now is to ensure that digital set top box (STB) manufacturing happens in India as the whole process is going to lead to revenue expansion of about $4 to $5 billion, according to a Trai estimate.

    "As we speak today, most of that business is not coming to India. So, that is an overriding priority for us as to how we are able to build an indigenous STB manufacturing model on to it," he said.

    Tewari also said STBs should be inter-operable and wanted enough operators for the consumers to switch to.

  • Times Internet develops mobile apps for Gaana.com

    Times Internet develops mobile apps for Gaana.com

    MUMBAI: Time Internet (TIL) has developed mobile applications for its flagship online music portal, Gaana.com.

    Simultaneously, Gaana.com is now available as an app for Android, iOS, Blackberry and J2ME devices, giving consumers access to millions of songs on their mobile phone.

    TIL CEO Satyan Gajwani said “We are so proud of the Gaana experience on mobile. Indian consumers love their music, and we‘ve built a product that matches their expectations for excellence across every screen that matters to them. Gaana on mobile is feature-rich and intuitive to use, and we intend to use this as a base to build even more functionality and offerings for our users, across all platforms.”

    According to the company, Gaana‘s mobile apps have been built to provide a full-service music experience, creating more depth than any offering available today. Some of its features include: access to over 1 million songs, including Bollywood, Hollywood, Tamil, Telegu, and regional music, Social listening: see what one‘s friends are listening to and My zone: an ability to see history, favorite songs, playlists, albums and artists across computer or mobile phone.

  • Govt wakes up to the power of social media, begins monitoring

    Govt wakes up to the power of social media, begins monitoring

    NEW DELHI: Stung by the campaigns on the social media both in the Delhi gang rape case as well as on the India-Pakistan exchange of fire on the Line of Control, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has set up a group to monitor the various social media channels on the internet.

    While the anti-corruption campaign and gang rape messages on the social media showed how people could be mobilised to come onto the streets, the campaign relating to the killing of two Indian soldiers also exposed the fragility of this medium to creating tensions between nations.

    It is learnt that the group has been instructed to give a weekly report to I&B Minister Manish Tewari on what the social media is saying on crucial issues. The team is tracking all social media including Twitter, Facebook and blogs.

    The ministry has not just begun monitoring the social media channels, but also increased its own presence on the internet. Even as it had earlier launched a page on Facebook on digitisation, the ministry as well as All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) have created separate accounts on Twitter.

    The ministry also launched itself on YouTube late last year and publicised this at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in November. This can be downloaded on android phones and will soon be made available on other smart phones through a special download application.

    India has over 120 million Internet users – Twitter has about 16 million subscribers and Facebook over 60 million from India. The penetration of 3G will mean more exchange of data. Mobile sales may soon touch the 250 million mark in India.