ITV

Tag: Bihar

  • Airtel 4G to reach nine circles via US$ 230-mn deal with Nokia as latter expands global PON

    Airtel 4G to reach nine circles via US$ 230-mn deal with Nokia as latter expands global PON

    MUMBAI: Finnish telecommunication network company and gear maker Nokia has pocketed a 4G network deal from Bharti Airtel in nine telecom service areas. Nokia meantime is also extending its fiber solution for universal next-gen passive optical networks (PON) to help operators more effectively scale, deploy and automate their networks as the demand for data grows.

    Nokia will deploy its available 4G technologies across Airtel regions of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Rest of Bengal, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Odisha, Kerala and UP East. The coverage expansion will include major cities such as Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Patna and Siliguri.

    According to sources cited by Financial Express, the deal between the two telecoms is estimated to be worth around US$ 230 million.

    Nokia’s head of India market Sanjay Malik said, with the latest agreement, they had become the largest supplier of 4G for Airtel. The network expansion would provide the speed, capacity, coverage Airtel needs to meet the next wave of data demand in India, he added.

    The new agreement with Nokia will see Airtel expand the deployment of 4G technology in three new circles in addition to six circles it already serves, enabling launch of new services that started in September.

    Agreement between Nokia and Bharti Airtel will enhance coverage and access in urban, suburban and rural areas within nine circles in India, it added.

    Nokia’s universal PON solution launched in 2015 leverages existing fiber platforms and infrastructure to help operators evolve networks in a gradual way, adding wavelengths in line with demand.

    The solution offers various next generation PON technologies including XGS-PON and TWDM-PON on a single platform and line card. Operators can connect subscribers with any type of optical network terminal (ONTs) regardless of whether it’s XGPON1, XGS-PON or TWDM-PON, eliminating the risk of technology and platform lock-in, the New Indian Express reported.

    Now, Nokia is enhancing its universal solution to provide operators with a higher density option that can reduce costs. Increasing deployment flexibility, the enhancements include new SDN/NFV-based capabilities that automate and simplify the deployment, maintenance and evolution of traditional fiber networks. This provides a smooth evolution path to 10G symmetrical or asymmetrical speeds with cost-efficient non-tunable XGS-PON optics and to TWDM-PON with tunable optics.

  • Bihar govt trebles cable TV entertainment tax to Rs 50

    Bihar govt trebles cable TV entertainment tax to Rs 50

    MUMBAI: Even as the government is working on subsuming entertainment and other incidental taxes into a goods and service tax (GST) which would be around 18 per cent, cable TV subscribers in Bihar are about to be delivered a blow to their wallets. A couple of days ago, the state’s cabinet stamped its approval on a proposal to hike entertainment tax from Rs 15 to Rs 50 per subscriber.

    That’s a 200-plus per cent escalation, and it places the state amongst the top entertainment tax-levying states in India. According to earlier statistics released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Bihar accounts for about three per cent of the cable TV subscribers in India. That means the state has anywhere between two million and three million subs.

    According to data released by cable TV tracking firm Chrome Data, Bihar had achieved only 68 per cent digitization by February 2016. Additionally, TV viewers in the state had been opting for DTH, rather than cable with the DTH subscriber base, jumping 32 per cent in just one month, following the imposition of digitization. Estimates are that only the city of Patna has a 400,000 cable TV subscribers.

    Currently, TV viewers’ cable bills are anywhere between Rs 250 and Rs 350 per month for their cable TV connection. With the Rs 50 entertainment tax levy, cable TV MSOs are expecting these to rise to between Rs 300 and Rs 400.

    The Times of India has stated that the Bihar government is taking this step to plug the revenue gap that has sprung up following the imposition of prohibition. It says the government had a shortfall of Rs 5,000 crore. Additionally, the commercial taxes department has been set a tax collection target of Rs 22,000 crore for fiscal 2016-2017. And, of course, cable TV is an easy target.

    However, with disclosures from the fragmented cable TV trade being as they are, observers wonder whether the tax hike will yield the desired results.

  • Bihar govt trebles cable TV entertainment tax to Rs 50

    Bihar govt trebles cable TV entertainment tax to Rs 50

    MUMBAI: Even as the government is working on subsuming entertainment and other incidental taxes into a goods and service tax (GST) which would be around 18 per cent, cable TV subscribers in Bihar are about to be delivered a blow to their wallets. A couple of days ago, the state’s cabinet stamped its approval on a proposal to hike entertainment tax from Rs 15 to Rs 50 per subscriber.

    That’s a 200-plus per cent escalation, and it places the state amongst the top entertainment tax-levying states in India. According to earlier statistics released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Bihar accounts for about three per cent of the cable TV subscribers in India. That means the state has anywhere between two million and three million subs.

    According to data released by cable TV tracking firm Chrome Data, Bihar had achieved only 68 per cent digitization by February 2016. Additionally, TV viewers in the state had been opting for DTH, rather than cable with the DTH subscriber base, jumping 32 per cent in just one month, following the imposition of digitization. Estimates are that only the city of Patna has a 400,000 cable TV subscribers.

    Currently, TV viewers’ cable bills are anywhere between Rs 250 and Rs 350 per month for their cable TV connection. With the Rs 50 entertainment tax levy, cable TV MSOs are expecting these to rise to between Rs 300 and Rs 400.

    The Times of India has stated that the Bihar government is taking this step to plug the revenue gap that has sprung up following the imposition of prohibition. It says the government had a shortfall of Rs 5,000 crore. Additionally, the commercial taxes department has been set a tax collection target of Rs 22,000 crore for fiscal 2016-2017. And, of course, cable TV is an easy target.

    However, with disclosures from the fragmented cable TV trade being as they are, observers wonder whether the tax hike will yield the desired results.

  • Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    NEW DELHI: Following a call by the government to increase the reach of communications in the Red Corridor, around 1,315 solar empanelled towers have been set up in the Left Wing Exteremists region in record time

    The work was undertaken by Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL), a pioneer in designing, developing and manufacturing of Telecommunications network solutions.

    The Home Ministry along with Department of Telecom (DoT) had decided to build a mobile phone network in the most-affected regions across ten Indian States, recognizing that combating insurgency in India’s Red Corridor must include the provision of a robust communication network as an important element of its strategy. These include some of the most hostile terrain in the country, with practically no roads, power or security.

    Around 2199 solar-powered mobile communication towers have been set up in a record time of less than a year, altering the geographical and social landscape of the area.

    On 20 August 2014, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of mobile telephonic services to 2,199 locations affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. There are 106 districts across 10 states which have been identified by the government as LWE-affected districts.

    The project was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL has successfully installed towers at these locations giving network coverage to many villages as well as security forces camps and important locations with the help of domestic vendors Vihaan Networks Ltd and HFCL.

    India’s cell phone revolution has helped shape the economic development and improved governance for its citizens, leading to game-changing reforms such as better targeting of subsidies.

    Vihaan Network Chairman Rajiv Mehrotra said “It is a proud moment for us as we been able to connect millions of rural consumers, through our efficient infrastructure and expertise in Solar enabled telecom equipments. When we talk of integrated socio-economic development, it takes into account many areas that can benefit from faster access and enhanced productivities by using voice & data connectivity be it security, surveillance, connectivity and information access. In areas which are bereft of basic infrastructure, mobile connectivity underlines the solution to many.”

    VNL has accomplished connectivity in 10 states, 90 districts, 12,700 villages, 39, 00,000 mobile connections, 110 million crore connected citizens connected and enabled security forces.

    The project is funded by the Dot arm USOF, the total project cost was Rs 3567.58 crores this includes CAPEX as well as O&M for a period of 5 years.

  • Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    Total 1,315 solar empanelled Wi-Fi towers built in Red Corridor

    NEW DELHI: Following a call by the government to increase the reach of communications in the Red Corridor, around 1,315 solar empanelled towers have been set up in the Left Wing Exteremists region in record time

    The work was undertaken by Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL), a pioneer in designing, developing and manufacturing of Telecommunications network solutions.

    The Home Ministry along with Department of Telecom (DoT) had decided to build a mobile phone network in the most-affected regions across ten Indian States, recognizing that combating insurgency in India’s Red Corridor must include the provision of a robust communication network as an important element of its strategy. These include some of the most hostile terrain in the country, with practically no roads, power or security.

    Around 2199 solar-powered mobile communication towers have been set up in a record time of less than a year, altering the geographical and social landscape of the area.

    On 20 August 2014, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of mobile telephonic services to 2,199 locations affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. There are 106 districts across 10 states which have been identified by the government as LWE-affected districts.

    The project was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). BSNL has successfully installed towers at these locations giving network coverage to many villages as well as security forces camps and important locations with the help of domestic vendors Vihaan Networks Ltd and HFCL.

    India’s cell phone revolution has helped shape the economic development and improved governance for its citizens, leading to game-changing reforms such as better targeting of subsidies.

    Vihaan Network Chairman Rajiv Mehrotra said “It is a proud moment for us as we been able to connect millions of rural consumers, through our efficient infrastructure and expertise in Solar enabled telecom equipments. When we talk of integrated socio-economic development, it takes into account many areas that can benefit from faster access and enhanced productivities by using voice & data connectivity be it security, surveillance, connectivity and information access. In areas which are bereft of basic infrastructure, mobile connectivity underlines the solution to many.”

    VNL has accomplished connectivity in 10 states, 90 districts, 12,700 villages, 39, 00,000 mobile connections, 110 million crore connected citizens connected and enabled security forces.

    The project is funded by the Dot arm USOF, the total project cost was Rs 3567.58 crores this includes CAPEX as well as O&M for a period of 5 years.

  • SRS Group to invest Rs 200 crore for 100 new screens

    SRS Group to invest Rs 200 crore for 100 new screens

    NEW DELHI: Despite the onslaught of growing movie channels on television, the craving for seeing a film on the big screen remains – but with new innovations like floor-to-ceiling screens and better sound systems. A strategic investment of Rs 200 crore is being put in by SRS Cinemas to build over 100 new screens across cities and towns in the country.

    These theatres will showcase large, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling screens, with international formats such as IMAX, ATMOS and 4DX to present the most immersive experience to movie buffs.

    These 100 new screens, well equipped with technology and innovation, will offer a customised theatre geometry and powerful digital sound system to create a unique environment that allows audiences to enjoy the movies as never before. Alongside, international formats will bring projection systems which deliver crystal clear images to provide a great cinematic experience that is truly something to sit back and admire.

    These new screens will provide the best-in-class, seamless and sophisticated movie- viewing experience with a pure blend of luxury and technology, a delight to movie enthusiasts.

    SRS Group chairman and MD Anil Jindal said: “The Indian film industry is growing rapidly. It is efficiently set to reach $3 billion in 2016. This massive growth has encouraged us to expand and strengthen our presence across Tier II and III cities in the country. We plan to expand our footprint in the country by leveraging organic and inorganic expansion and acquiring screens across the nation.”

    Group president & chief strategy officer Tinku Singh said: “We are proud to announce an investment of Rs. 200 Crore to build over 100 new screens. We are glad that with our expertise, we have been able to spread the magic of movies not just in urban but in semi- urban parts of the country as well. We are prominently present in major regions including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. The current investment will help us to spread more effectively across the country including eastern and southern part of India as well”.

  • SRS Group to invest Rs 200 crore for 100 new screens

    SRS Group to invest Rs 200 crore for 100 new screens

    NEW DELHI: Despite the onslaught of growing movie channels on television, the craving for seeing a film on the big screen remains – but with new innovations like floor-to-ceiling screens and better sound systems. A strategic investment of Rs 200 crore is being put in by SRS Cinemas to build over 100 new screens across cities and towns in the country.

    These theatres will showcase large, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling screens, with international formats such as IMAX, ATMOS and 4DX to present the most immersive experience to movie buffs.

    These 100 new screens, well equipped with technology and innovation, will offer a customised theatre geometry and powerful digital sound system to create a unique environment that allows audiences to enjoy the movies as never before. Alongside, international formats will bring projection systems which deliver crystal clear images to provide a great cinematic experience that is truly something to sit back and admire.

    These new screens will provide the best-in-class, seamless and sophisticated movie- viewing experience with a pure blend of luxury and technology, a delight to movie enthusiasts.

    SRS Group chairman and MD Anil Jindal said: “The Indian film industry is growing rapidly. It is efficiently set to reach $3 billion in 2016. This massive growth has encouraged us to expand and strengthen our presence across Tier II and III cities in the country. We plan to expand our footprint in the country by leveraging organic and inorganic expansion and acquiring screens across the nation.”

    Group president & chief strategy officer Tinku Singh said: “We are proud to announce an investment of Rs. 200 Crore to build over 100 new screens. We are glad that with our expertise, we have been able to spread the magic of movies not just in urban but in semi- urban parts of the country as well. We are prominently present in major regions including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. The current investment will help us to spread more effectively across the country including eastern and southern part of India as well”.

  • Big Ganga launches 8th season of ‘Hindustan Ka Big Star’

    Big Ganga launches 8th season of ‘Hindustan Ka Big Star’

    MUMBAI: Big Ganga is consistently offers entertainment and meaningful content built on local insights with a cultural connect and a deep understanding of the socio-cultural fabric.

    The channel has been tapping unseen talent from the hinterland across rural melas for the past four years and established a popular property called Mele Ka BIG Star. Re-christened as Hindustan Ka BIG Star, in its eighth season, the network plans to up the ante by targeting not only melas, but also add cities, thus increasing participation as well as growing the reach.

    Big Ganga will televise this event as a reality TV series for over 5 months with 26 episodes as well as promote it on 92.7 BIG FM. The auditions are scheduled to begin from 6 June for a month.

    With an attempt to unearth talent from the grass root level, Hindustan ka Big Star not only invites people who are passionate about any talent, but also encourages those who have an aptitude for singing, dancing, mimicry, stunts, stand-up comedy, painting and much more.

    Dabur India Oral Care category head Harkawal Singh said, “We are delighted to partner with Hindustan Ka BIG Star for the third year in a row. The show is a great platform to communicate about the importance of oral hygiene in a relevant way. Dabur Red Paste from the house of Dabur is always known for complete oral care. Dabur Red Paste is a unique blend of traditional Indian Medicine and modern pharmaceutical technology bringing out the best of both, the side effects free, effective formulation useful for maintaining oral hygiene and keeping the gums and teeth healthy.”

    Speaking about the property, a spokesperson from Big Ganga said, “In our endeavour to take Mele ka BIG Star to the next level, we decided to reach audiences not only at some of the biggest melas, but also additional towns. Re-named Hindustan ka BIG Star, in its eighth season, the show will continue to bring talent from the Hindi heartland to the world at large, providing them with a great platform and giving brands an interesting engagement opportunity.”

    Combining the biggest melas and cities of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, Hindustan ka BIG Star will bring forth hidden talent from across the Hindi heartland. Open for all (Age 4+ onwards), Hindustan ka Big Star has Dabur Red Paste as the Title Sponsor, Co-Powered by Dabur Vatika Shampoo, Associate Sponsor Dalda Cooking Oil and Radio partner 92.7 BIG FM.

    In addition to this, the high decibel marketing approach to the show will facilitate an extensive forum for marketers to directly connect with their consumers. The show will be heavily promoted through TV, radio, digital and print.

  • Big Ganga launches 8th season of ‘Hindustan Ka Big Star’

    Big Ganga launches 8th season of ‘Hindustan Ka Big Star’

    MUMBAI: Big Ganga is consistently offers entertainment and meaningful content built on local insights with a cultural connect and a deep understanding of the socio-cultural fabric.

    The channel has been tapping unseen talent from the hinterland across rural melas for the past four years and established a popular property called Mele Ka BIG Star. Re-christened as Hindustan Ka BIG Star, in its eighth season, the network plans to up the ante by targeting not only melas, but also add cities, thus increasing participation as well as growing the reach.

    Big Ganga will televise this event as a reality TV series for over 5 months with 26 episodes as well as promote it on 92.7 BIG FM. The auditions are scheduled to begin from 6 June for a month.

    With an attempt to unearth talent from the grass root level, Hindustan ka Big Star not only invites people who are passionate about any talent, but also encourages those who have an aptitude for singing, dancing, mimicry, stunts, stand-up comedy, painting and much more.

    Dabur India Oral Care category head Harkawal Singh said, “We are delighted to partner with Hindustan Ka BIG Star for the third year in a row. The show is a great platform to communicate about the importance of oral hygiene in a relevant way. Dabur Red Paste from the house of Dabur is always known for complete oral care. Dabur Red Paste is a unique blend of traditional Indian Medicine and modern pharmaceutical technology bringing out the best of both, the side effects free, effective formulation useful for maintaining oral hygiene and keeping the gums and teeth healthy.”

    Speaking about the property, a spokesperson from Big Ganga said, “In our endeavour to take Mele ka BIG Star to the next level, we decided to reach audiences not only at some of the biggest melas, but also additional towns. Re-named Hindustan ka BIG Star, in its eighth season, the show will continue to bring talent from the Hindi heartland to the world at large, providing them with a great platform and giving brands an interesting engagement opportunity.”

    Combining the biggest melas and cities of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, Hindustan ka BIG Star will bring forth hidden talent from across the Hindi heartland. Open for all (Age 4+ onwards), Hindustan ka Big Star has Dabur Red Paste as the Title Sponsor, Co-Powered by Dabur Vatika Shampoo, Associate Sponsor Dalda Cooking Oil and Radio partner 92.7 BIG FM.

    In addition to this, the high decibel marketing approach to the show will facilitate an extensive forum for marketers to directly connect with their consumers. The show will be heavily promoted through TV, radio, digital and print.

  • Prabhu Chawla’s National Voice channel to focus on investigative journalism

    Prabhu Chawla’s National Voice channel to focus on investigative journalism

    MUMBAI: Seeing a need to break-free from the journalism that is followed on news channels, Prabhu Chawla is all geared up to launch a news channel called National Voice. With the core focus on laying out the problems and solutions of UP, Bihar and Uttarakhand, he will also launch other channels for the markets of Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, etc.

    Chawla will be associated with the channel as its chief editorial advisor. The channel is majorly banking on investigative journalism and will use sting without stink, he says.

    With an aim to connect various states to one language, the new channel will strive on news first and views later. The motto of the channel is Aapka Sawal, Aapka Jawab. Commenting on the launch Chawla says, “We will fear none and favour none. We have built a team of professional editors who have a combined experience of 50 years in the television news genre. We have a heavily decentralised system in which each one takes an independent decision, but all think collectively”.

    The channel has two promoters – the main promoter is an UP-based industrialist while Chawla holds a minor stake in the channel. He also admits that many leading brands have approached him for sponsoring a couple of his channel’s shows, although he was reluctant at disclosing commercial details at this stage.

    The channel is banking on content, tone and its vision as its differentiating factor over the rest of the available channels. Focussed at answering the 5 Ws (what, when, why, where, who) and 1 H (how), the channel will chase the story and also provide follow-ups to its viewers. It is starting off with the heartland of the country and will be available on various DTH platforms.

    “We are taking UP to India, not India to UP like the national channels. We will go behind and beyond the news. Content is king for us and reporters are the best news smiths. Our channel will be not be led by anchors. On the contrary news will lead the anchor”, he reveals.

    Chawla is of the opinion that regional channels are more successful than English and national Hindi channels. His channel will manifest what the people want to see and are curious about and will connect to local people through their vision.

    After ideating for over a year, the channel’s logo has been designed by a group of young professionals and is all ready to come out by June. “It is not meant to be in the public domain. It is a team of young professional from a design institute who have been guided by experienced people”, concludes Chawla.