Category: Software

NEW DELHI: The Mumbai-headquartered Time Broadband Services Pvt Ltd might not ring a bell immediately, but this media technology company has achieved an Asian landmark.

Commissioning of a fully integrated content delivery network over H.264 AVC Revision 10 of MPEG4 format as an end-to-end solution on Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd (MTNL) MPLS core and ADSL 2+ access system is the first of its kind in Asia.

This hi-tech implementation was first recorded on 4 July 2006 at Cavalier Telecom in the USA by Kasenna, which also happens to be Time Broadband’s technology provider.

“Considering the few weeks gap, the achievement of having a total integrated solution on an emerging technology is certainly a landmark in Indian broadband domain where more than 100 TV channels are to be delivered via digital multi-cast to PC and TV sets by our technology partners,” said Time Broadband MD and CEO Sujata Dev.

What this means in layman’s language and where does the
government-controlled telecom company MTNL fit into the scenario?

MTNL, providing services in Delhi and Mumbai, has associated with Time Broadband to provide IPTV at affordable rates to the telco’s consumers. The services are slated to be commercially flagged off later this year.

According to Dev, apart from the telephony and internet services, a MTNL subscriber can also subscribe to TV channels, which can be seen either on the consumer’s PC or television set.

The charges for subscribing to over 100 channels and internet services are likely to be in the region of Rs 400 per month (exclusive of charges for telephone usage).

Time Broadband, which in no way is connected to the Times of India group, did a trial simulation of the technology in Mumbai on 14 January 2005, the day on which a nation-wide launch of broadband was held by MTNL and its sibling Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).

On 21 November 2005, Time Broadband signed up formally with MTNL for providing the content delivery network (CDN) and do content aggregation for MTNL to enable rich-media content delivery.

MTNL, set up on 1 April 1986 by the government, has a customer base of approximately 5.92 million as on March 2006. The government presently holds 56.25 per cent stake in the company.

Time Broadband, where Sujata Dev’s husband Amit works as the chief tech mentor, has been initially funded by promoters and has received $12 million mix of equity and debt from global investors to move into full-scale rollout plan to 600 tri-band customers shortly in Delhi.

Next stage of integration would cover uni-cast or the interactive on-demand media delivery, which is to be completed shortly.

“In IPTV domain, a major challenge faced by a operator is the integration of the CDN components like middleware, content protection, video-on-demand services and head-end encoding components with set-top box. We could successfully integrate the whole system in past six months along with inputs from our technology partners,” said Dev.

A unique aspect of the whole venture involving MTNL is the content protection or guarding against piracy.

The content protection technology used by Time Broadband for MTNL’s IPTV service is being provided by Verimatrix and is a mix of session-based water marking and clone-detection capabilities.

“Broadcasters like Star, Sony and Zee have approved the content protection system of Verimatrix as also major studios of Hollywood as a key defense against the vandalism of piracy due to the forensic tracking, which is invisible but un-destructible,” Dev explained.

The video-marking added to 128 bit PKI as per AES norms would offer threshold level of protection to all content. The achievement of technical solution is one hurdle crossed but the issues of Regulation and availability of volume based H.264 STB with ‘session-based water-marking’ is still a challenge to be overcome before commercial launch, Dev adds.

However, a major hurdle in rollout of IPTV services in India is the regulatory body Trai’s present ambivalence on the status of such service.

Telecom Regulatgory Auhtority of India (Trai) is yet to decide whether to classify IPTV as a television service or make it part of telecom.

Both MTNL and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (the biggest telecom service provider in India in terms of reach) control over 95 per cent of last mile
connectivity in India.

The remaining miniscule is with some private players, which are finding themselves handicapped to introduce large scale broadband services in the country in the absence of last mile connectivity.

Though the set-top box needed to access the MTNL Tri-band service is being imported by Time Broadband for approximately $ 160, in the initial stages the boxes are being subsidised to catch consumers.

Time Broadband would build and own all the elements of this massive city-wide content delivery network with service delivery platform to operate uni-cast and multi-cast services of rich-media, apart from critical sub-system and peripheral devices.

MUMBAI: UTStarcom, Inc., the IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, has launched its portable WiFi handset – the F3000. The handset is currently being deployed by customers worldwide and can be purchased directly from UTStarcom or through one of the company‘s regional distributors.

“We are seeing massive growth in demand for mobile voice-over-IP devices as the number of public WiFi hotspots and prevalence of wireless routers in people‘s homes and offices increases,” says UTStarcom, Inc. VP EMEA Youssef Kassissia.

“This, combined with the international roaming charges levied by operators, is encouraging consumers to look to wireless VoIP as a cost- effective alternative to traditional mobile telecommunications, both at home and abroad.”

“The F3000 builds on the success of our award-winning F1000 handset, our first-generation WiFi phone launched last year and the low-cost market leader in WiFi handsets worldwide,” Lu adds. “Much like the F1000, UTStarcom‘s F3000 enables consumers the ability to reap the benefits of VoIP service without being tethered to a fixed-line and at a consumer friendly price point.”

With a designs available in both black and gold, UTStarcom‘s F3000 WiFi handset bridges the gap between traditional WiFi phones and today‘s state-of-the-art cellular devices, offering consumers a combination of form and functionality. Measuring 85 x 43 x 22mm and weighing approximately 90g, the F3000 features a full-color, 1.8″ (45.7mm) LCD screen, polyphonic ringtones, text messaging capability and talk-time of up to three hours and stand-by time of approximately 75 hour, states an official release.

The phone supports a range of voice protocols, including SIP, SDP, RTP/RTCP and RFC 2833/inband DTMF, and utilizes ITU codecs G.711 and G.729. It operates at WiFi 802.11b/g 2.4GHz and supports WiFi security WEP64/128 and WPA. The F3000 also supports a variety of user interface languages, including English, French, Spanish and Chinese, and standard PSTN features, such as call waiting and three-way calling, are also available. It is easily configured, supporting auto-provisioning and remote software upgrades, the release adds.

Additionally, UTStarcom‘s F3000 features an Auto-Search capability, enabling users to locate WiFi networks within range and store these profiles for later use. Moreover, the handset can be programmed with three separate SIP accounts, providing both service provider and access point flexibility for the end user.

MUMBAI: ICTV which creates on-demand solutions that blend the choice and control of broadband video with the quality and responsiveness of television, will unveil its ActiveVideo platform at the IBC trade show.

The event takes place in Amsterdam from 8-12 Seotember. The company says that its platform combines the best attributes of television and the Web.

ICTV will demonstrate how operators, programmers and advertisers can use the ActiveVideo platform to successfully bring broadband video programming and advertising models from the Internet to the television. ActiveVideo delivers Web-driven programming in combination with both live and VOD streams to provide an immersive TV-quality viewing experience.

ActiveVideo programming can be delivered either through the widely deployed two-way cable infrastructure or via an IPTV network. ActiveVideo is navigated with standard remote controls and is fully compatible with all existing IP and cable set-top boxes, enabling the complete re-use of existing capital infrastructure.

At IBC, ICTV will be demonstrating two new applications of the ActiveVideo platform: An ActiveVideo Mosaic, the multichannel industry‘s first customizable, personalised mosaic for video-rich navigation, and ActiveVideo Channels, which enable existing broadband programming networks to be delivered to the TV in real time as subscriber-controlled television video.

ICTV president and CEO Jeff Miller, says, “One of the greatest challenges for network operators in the broadband era has been to match the precision of the Web in delivering the right programming and advertising to the right subscriber at the right time.

“The ActiveVideo platform is a standards-based approach that creates new programming choices with high-CPM, targeted, auditable and interactive advertising opportunities.”

Capitalising on the ability to deliver Web programming as MPEG video to any digital set-top box, the ICTV ActiveVideo platform is entirely standards- based, requiring no custom integration or proprietary development. Live and on-demand programming can be blended with content that is created and modified quickly using standard Web tools and talent.

The ICTV ActiveVideo Mosaic creates easy-to-use personalised navigation. This allows subscribers to view live video from and navigate through a number of channels at a single glance. The ActiveVideo Mosaic can be personalised based upon subscriber, operator, or programmer choice, or via system response to subscriber viewing habits – all on any digital set-top box.

Interactive elements, including Web-driven targeted advertising, can be incorporated within the mosaic screens. With ActiveVideo Channels, network operators and programmers can enhance the value of existing channels by allowing viewers to take active
control of what they see and when they see it. Simply by using their remote control, television viewers can select an ActiveVideo Channel from the standard programme guide and enter a broadband experience that includes video, navigational elements, channel branding, banner advertisements, and links to different video segments.

Screens can be manipulated to reflect personal viewing interests and purchasing preferences. Clicking on advertisements within the ActiveVideo experience enables interaction with sponsor messages, including “telescoping” to let consumers request more information, watch a demonstration or make a purchase

MUMBAI: The Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTG) is establishing a new digital production venture Studio 2.0.

This will work with creative talent and advertisers to create original live-action and animated short-form programming for broadband and wireless devices.

WBTVG has tapped producer and senior advertising executive Rich Rosenthal to head Studio 2.0. These announcements were made by WBTG president Bruce Rosenblum. The venture will be overseen by WBTG executive VP Craig Hunegs.

Studio 2.0 will provide a creative platform for the Television Group’s established as well as up-and-coming talent to produce content of varying lengths – from multiple-episode series to one-offs. Rosenthal will actively align Studio 2.0 with advertisers seeking early identification and involvement with original programming. They will develop projects through independent creative resources as well as through the various in-place Warner Bros. Television Group production arms.

Studio 2.0 will look to license the programming to online sites, portals and wireless providers in collaboration with the recently formed Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

Rosenblum says, “What has become eminently clear is that our advertising partners in our traditional television businesses are anxious to work in collaboration with the creative community to develop original digital content.

“At our core, we are a content creation company and Studio 2.0 is a natural, yet extraordinarily exciting, extension of our television production businesses. We are confident that Rich and Studio 2.0 will successfully provide advertisers with cutting edge tools that will integrate their brands with inventive digital content in fresh, impactful and meaningful ways.

“At the same time, Studio 2.0 will present our creative partners in our television production divisions with a vibrant platform to express their vision in expanding digital arenas and allow us to collaborate with Simon Kenny (President, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution) and his team on terrific content for digital distribution.”

Hunegs says, “Rich’s breadth of advertising experience, both as a creative and production exec, and the wide array of advertisers, brands and companies for which he has created, make him the ideal choice to run Studio 2.0. It is a coup to have him join us”.

Time Warner Global Marketing, the cross-divisional client partnerships arm of Time Warner, will work closely with Rosenthal and Time Warner advertising clients.

BANGALORE: Bharati Airtel has announced that their total mobile subscriber base has crossed three million in Karnataka. With this they claim to be the circle with the largest portion in the Airtel all India subscriber pie of 25.89 million (to end July 2006).

Airtel joint president-mobility Sanjay Kapoor said, “This equals Singapore‘s subscriber base.” Karnataka has been the growth engine for Airtel disclosed Kapoor.

Bangalore has a subscriber base of roughly 50 per cent of Airtel‘s Karnataka mobile subscribers according to Airtel Karnataka CEO Deepak Mehrotra.

Airtel continues to be Karnataka‘s no. 1 mobile network in telephony, even beating BSNL mobile services. The only other entity that could match Airtel coverage in numbers and reach is the BSNL landline. Airtel now covers over 12,000 towns and villages in Karnataka, of which more than 11,000 towns and locations have a population of less than 5000. This includes 96 per cent of the gram panchayat area in the state, and covers 63 per cent of the population. Around 500,000 subscribers have been added over the last three months, a million over the last six, informs an official release.

Airtel plans to expand the gram panchayat reach to 100 per cent by March 2007. Mehrotra revealed that Airtel has spent around Rs.14.35 billion capitalization to date in the state and another Rs.3.5 billion have been earmarked till end March 2007.

Karnataka and the Andhra Pradesh circle which stands third after Delhi both contribute to more than 20 per cent of the all India subscribers in the Airtel kitty. While Punjab stands fourth with a subscriber base of around 2.4 million, adds Airtel Karnataka COO V Venkatesh.

Airtel executive director -southern regional hub, mobility Atul Bindal revealed that the southern hub comprising of five circles has had the fastest growth in the number of subscribers in the country.

MUMBAI: Reliance Communications owned Falcon Undersea Cable System has started its operational from today unleashing international bandwidth between India, Middle East and Europe.

The Flag Telecom Global Network would be the world‘s largest undersea cable system covering 65,000 route kms, with the launch of Falcon. The current bandwidth on India-Europe route is controlled by VSNL and Bharti.

“Falcon will have an equally powerful impact on the economic front, driving higher levels of trade, commerce and global integration,” Reliance ADA chairman Anil Ambani said.

The vision at Reliance ADA group is to ‘give millions of ordinary people across the world the means to realize their dreams, the power to shape their destiny, the chance to fulfill their true and diverse potential,” Ambani added.

The Flag Global Network bridges the distance between 35 diverse developed and developing economies, connecting the global economic hubs in USA, UK, Germany, France, Middle East, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Japan to name a few.

The Company‘s Flag is the first global network of this scale to provide integrated connectivity on one seamless network to the three highest growing regions; India, Middle East and China; in terms of international bandwidth demand.

MUMBAI: OpenTV, which provides enabling technologies for advanced digital television services, will showcase its latest technologies under the banner of “television is changing … open it up!” at the IBC show in Amsterdam.

The event takes place from 8-12 September 2006.

The theme, grounded by the premise that today‘s television viewers are demanding greater choice, flexibility, and access, encompasses the entire range of OpenTV‘s products on display. By ‘opening up‘ the technologies that serve as a foundation for set-top boxes and digital television, OpenTV says that it is taking a leadership position by enabling the adoption of flexible business models and compelling viewer experiences in the television industry.

OpenTV chairman and CEO James A. (Jim) Chiddix says, “Today, the central technologies for building and maintaining social networks around the world are the phone and the internet.

“OpenTV believes that TV is next, and that the way to survive in this changing world is to embrace explore, and enable that change. When we say we are ‘opening up‘ television, we are extending our tradition of pioneering middleware and related solutions to new content sources, new navigation models, new forms of television advertising, and new experiences in participation with television.”

Featured products at IBC will include solutions for advanced digital
television; advanced advertising; and participation television.
— OpenTV Vision: Supporting its theme for IBC, OpenTV will debut a supermodal, zoomable user interface (ZUI) that fundamentally changes the way viewers navigate and make viewing choices from the massive amounts of available content, by providing navigation tools that create relevance and match interests.

— Advanced Digital Television:– OpenTV will showcase a number of live HDTV services from OpenTV customers as well as a wide array of HD set-top boxes from ADB, Pace, Philips, Scientific Atlanta, and Thomson.

— OpenTV will demonstrate the power of its popular Core2/PVR2
set-top software through the demonstration of a HD guide
developed by Nagravision. The guide features key elements such
as time-shifting, scheduling, and series linking, as well as
push VOD.

— OpenTV will demonstrate IPTV, highlighting a solution for
hybrid IPTV deployments by cable and satellite operators.

— OpenTV Core2/PVR2 supports multiple application execution
environments including HTML and Flash(R). OpenTV will showcase
its Flash solution, based on the award-winning MachBlue(TM)
from Bluestreak Network, supporting rapid authoring of enhanced
programming using standard Adobe(R) Flash authoring tools.
OpenTV will also demonstrate its industry -leading HTML
solution with home networking applications.

— OpenTV has also integrated technologies with ICTV(TM) and will
be demonstrating a personalized mosaic that delivers
alternative navigation and Internet-type programming and
advertising capabilities to OpenTV-enabled set-top boxes.

As far as advanced advertising:solutions are concerned the company will conduct demonstrations that will feature an end-to-end production system for enhanced advertising that engages audiences by enabling compelling, interactive advertising applications to be created, validated, scheduled, and launched more quickly and less
expensively.

— Also shown will be OpenTV‘s advertising sales and inventory
management solutions with a demonstration of OpenTV‘s ad
decision engine for dynamic insertion of targetted ads.

MUMBAI: Seeing is believing! While there is debate the world over about which television technology is superior -Plasma or LCD a study by Synovate in Europe has thrown up insights.

Consumers in Europe significantly prefer plasma TVs over Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) sets after viewing in home conditions.

The study, conducted by global market research company, Synovate, is the first ever European research into consumer preferences in medium to large-screen television sets.

The margin was almost two to one in favour of plasma screens, with 73 per cent of respondents who viewed a side by side comparison rating plasmas as providing the ’best image quality’ ahead of LCD (27 per cent).

The Synovate study, conducted in the UK, France and Germany, asked consumers which screen provided the best overall image quality for the following criteria: sharpness, colour, response speed, contrast, black quality and resolution. The study was commissioned by Panasonic and Pioneer.

Plasma takes the lead The results reveal a clear favour for plasma. 61 per cent of consumers felt plasma screens provided the best sharpness experience, compared to 21 per cent who preferred LCD.

When it came to consumer perception of colour, response speed and contrast, 65 per cent of consumers deemed plasma screens to have the best colour quality compared to 24 per cent who favoured LCD.

Similarly, plasma screens were voted as providing the best quality for response speed by 62 per cent of consumers, with LCD scoring 15 per cent. Nearly a quarter of respondents believed both technologies provided a similar performance.

Plasma screens once again lead the way with contrast quality. 61 per cent of consumers tested believed plasma had the best contrast performance, compared to 26 per cent for LCD.

The reproduction of black is of pivotal importance to the overall viewing experience. Before seeing the video sequence, plasma was deemed to have a slight lead (37 per cent to 30 per cent for LCD), while a third of people felt that both formats provide similar black performance. After seeing the comparison, the majority of people who felt that the ’best black quality’ is created by plasma shot up to 72 per cent.

Synovate research director Yves Robeet says, “We have been watching the television market for some time and there is no doubt that buying a new TV is a confusing decision for consumers. This is partially due to the arrival of new broadcast technologies like HD and digital as well as the heavy promotion of LCD and plasma by manufacturers and the ongoing technical debate between media and analysts about which is the best technology. This research is designed to make the process much easier by asking consumers what they think.”

Synovate canvassed 603 consumers and executed the study under certified home viewing conditions. Two groups were established. The first, with no prior knowledge of plasma and LCD, were simply asked to express their preferences after watching a 90 second video sequence played side by side on LCD and plasma displays (with their brand names covered) in three presentation suites. All respondents rated the experience using TVs in the 37-inch (XGA PDP and XGA LCD), 42-inch (XGA PDP and 1080p LCD) and 50-inch categories (both 1080p).

The second group, who claimed to have knowledge of plasma and LCD, were asked before the comparison to reveal which format they believed provided the ’best overall quality’ and to reveal their initial preferences for plasma or LCD in several feature categories, including resolution, image depth, colour and black tone. These benchmarks were used to track changes in perceptions after the video sequence had been viewed.

Initially, no preference was expressed in either Germany or the UK for overall image quality though French respondents expressed a preference for plasma.

After watching the content, however, the whole group was asked the same question. Sentiment swung sharply in favour of plasma: 73 per cent of people rated plasma as the superior performer in image quality compared to 27 per cent for LCD.

Robeet adds, “The research replicated the typical viewing conditions found in the home and produced very clear results. This suggests that retailers might consider researching the conditions in which customers watch their TVs to provide a similar environment in-store to compare performance in a life-like situation; after all, the viewing environment and the type of content people watch should dictate model choice more than any other factor.”

MUMBAI: Harris‘ broadcast communications division will showacse solutions for the emerging mobile TV market at IBC2006. The event takes place from 7-12 September in Amsterdam.

It is participating in early stage trials across Europe and Australia. It is also developing transmitters for Modeo and Qualcomm MediaFLO USA. applications (both scheduled to launch by 2007). At IBC2006, Harris will demonstrate mobile TV broadcasts for the leading standards (DVB-H, FLO and T-DMB) featuring Harris transmitters and infrastructure/networking products, as well as third-party receiving equipment.

Harris says that a broad range of Harris content delivery solutions for mobile TV will be on display, including platforms for DVB-H, FLO and T-DMB applications. Each standard offers viable benefits for operators. IBC it says is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate these benefits and how it is equipped to offer the most complete, technically sound transmission and infrastructure solutions in the broadcast industry.

Mobile TV transmission solutions from Harris have been used to develop and prove the effectiveness of the DVB-H, FLO and T-DMB standards for mobile broadcast television. The company will highlight its complete mobile TV product range through four separate demonstrations in the Mobile Zone. A Harris NetVX networking system will deliver content to the Mobile Zone from the main Harris stand in some demonstrations.

DVB-H over UHF

The Harris DVB-H UHF solutions work in both high- and low-power applications. The higher-power Atlas liquid-cooled transmitter (offered in versions from 1.25 to 9 kW) is featured in the main Harris booth. In the Mobile Zone, Harris is delivering DVB-H content to a handset via the Atlas DTV-660 air-cooled UHF transmitter, which is offered in power levels up to 1.5 kW.

DVB-H over L-Band

The Harris Cool Play Mobile TV transmitter offers a ‘convection-cooled‘ architecture for outdoor installations. The 1670 MHz version of the transmitter will transmit video to a handset developed for Modeo, a U.S. DVB-H operator. The Cool Play 1670 transmitter is available at power levels up to 400 watts in L-Band.

FLO over UHF

The entire of range of Harris ATSC transmitters are now available for FLO applications, based on the new Harris Apex FLO exciter that Harris is featuring in the Mobile Zone. Harris will receive live transmissions of a multichannel FLO service on a handset. This marks the first Harris display in Europe of FLO transmission products.

T-DMB over DAB

Harris has a full line of VHF and L-Band DAB transmitters that can be used to deliver mobile TV over DAB. In the Mobile Zone, Harris will demonstrate the receipt of digital radio channels and multichannel TV on a T-DMB handset from a Harris DAB-660 transmitter. Harris will demonstrate how the standard’s highly efficient audio encoding allows for transmission of multiple digital radio and video channels using the same transmitter.

The company will display its strengths in terrestrial TV transmission. The Harris Atlas transmitter family will be prominently displayed in the delivery section of the Harris stand. As a global UHF transmitter platform, the Atlas liquid-cooled transmitter family supports analog, digital and mobile television standards. Visitors can see an active demonstration of the Atlas DVB-T/DVB-H platform delivering HDTV and H.264 mobile TV content. A widescreen display will receive and broadcast the HDTV content, with the H.264 mobile content received on a handheld device.

The terrestrial TV area also will include a demonstration of the Harris/Neural Audio MultiMerge for DTV. MultiMerge uses intelligent detection to blend any audio (mono, stereo, matrix encoded stereo (L/R), and 5.1 discrete content) into a seamless, uninterrupted 5.1 surround sound stream.

Harris began developing terrestrial transmission platforms for mobile TV in 2004 after participating in early demonstrations and the development of the DVB-H standard. The company’s recent acquisition of Leitch Technology adds a range of servers, routers, switchers and processing equipment to Harris® NetVX video encoding and distribution systems, providing the infrastructure for bringing content into the mobile TV headend. Meanwhile, equipment from the Harris Software Systems business unit adds a complement of broadband software and distribution equipment for network management, traffic scheduling, digital asset management and ad insertion, among other applications.

MUMBAI: The Asia Pacific region offers the strongest growth potential and opportunities in the next five years for Direct-to-Home (DTH) service providers, particularly multisystem operators (MSO).

DTH video is the flagship service to establish a foothold in previously underserved emerging markets. By achieving economies of scale and providing quality local content, service providers can capture a huge and profitable consumer base.

New analysis from global growth consulting company Frost & Sullivan, Asia Pacific Satellite DTH Market reveals that the total pay-TV market — covering nine Asia-Pacific countries — was worth $19.24 billion in 2005, and is forecasted to reach $45.20 billion in 2012. Satellite DTH services alone will account for approximately 46.3 per cent, or $20.91 billion, of the total pay-TV revenues in 2012.

Frost & Sullivan research analyst James Lye says, “The reality of the next decade for DTH service providers is convergence. To create new revenue streams, providers need to shift beyond individual technology and service platforms towards an MSO model, reaching consumers through any efficient medium.”

Consumers are increasingly looking to a single provider for integrated solutions — offering voice, data and video services. The Asia-Pac region offers unique opportunities as newly emergent communities demand telecommunication services in vast unwired areas. By using video content as the flagship offering, DTH providers can gain a strong position in the market and uncover ways of tapping into the lucrative voice and data demand.

A DTH provider needs to achieve economies of scale, resulting in lower operating costs, breaking key price barriers for consumer adoption, as well as granting easy access to premium content. However, establishing a region-wide service can be hindered by stringent regulations prevalent in many Asia-Pac countries.

“The lack of local language content often limits the potential customer base. Premium content will drive initial growth, but content relevant to the local or regional scene will sustain interest and customer loyalty” adds Lye.

In the highly fragmented Asia Pacific market, it is important to provide not only premium global content, but also superior quality local programs to differentiate the service offerings from other available ones. The key to capturing the regional market is specialised content, inclusive of local sports, news and entertainment, which requires local production capabilities.