ITV

Tag: broadband

  • Den Network‘s broadband subscribers quadrupled in FY-16

    Den Network‘s broadband subscribers quadrupled in FY-16

    BENGALURU: Den Networks Ltd (Den) reported 413 percent growth in broadband customers in the fiscal ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year) as compared to FY-15. The company reported 95,000 in the current year as compared to 23,000 in the previous year. For the quarter ended 31 March 2015 (Q4-16, current quarter) Den add 19,000 broadband (20 percent quarter-over-quarter or q-o-q growth), it had 76,000 subscribers in Q3-16. Its Broadband segment operating revenue increased to fivefold in FY-16 as compared to FY-15. Broadband segment’s revenue in FY-16 was Rs 40.62 crore as compared to Rs 8.08 crore in the previous year. Broadband average revenue per user (ARPU) in Q4-16 was Rs 780, Rs 20 more than the ARPU of Rs 760 in the immediate trailing quarter and Rs 21 more than the ARPU of Rs 759 in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:
    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.
    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    Den’s broadband segment’s operating loss in the current year increased to Rs 78.26 crore as compared to an operating loss of Rs 47.06 crore in the previous year.
    Post Activation Broadband revenue in Q4-16 also more than quadrupled (450 percent) year-over-year (y-o-y) at Rs 15.23 crore as compared to Rs 3.43 crore and increased 27.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 11.96 crore.

    Broadband segment’s operating loss in the current quarter was higher y-o-y as Rs 16.12 crore as compared to Rs 15.46 crore, but lower q-o-q as compared to Rs 19.57 crore

    For other financials from Den, please click here: http://www.indiantelevision.com/cable-tv/multi-system-operators/den-networks-cable-business-reports-op-profit-broadband-op-revenue-up-fivefold-160530

     

  • Den Networks Cable business reports op profit, Broadband op revenue up fivefold

    Den Networks Cable business reports op profit, Broadband op revenue up fivefold

    BENGALURU: Den Networks Ltd (Den) Cable Distribution Network segment reported an operating profit of Rs 8.14 crore in in the fiscal ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year) as compared a loss of Rs 0.43 crore in  FY-15. Its Broadband segment operating revenue increased to fivefold in FY-16 as compared to FY-15. Broadband segment’s revenue in FY-16 was Rs 40.62 crore as compared to Rs 8.08 crore in the previous year.

    The company reported 11.4 percent growth in consolidated Total Income from operations (TIO) as compared to the previous year. Den reported TIO in FY-16 of Rs 1,256.58 crore as compared to Rs 1,129.64 crore in the previous year.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    Den’s operating profit (Earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation) including other income increased 7.1 percent to Rs 193.03 crore (15.3 percent EBIDTA margin on TIO) as compared to Rs 180.23 crore (16 percent EBIDTA margin on TIO) in FY-15.

    Segment Revenue

    Three segments contribute to Den’s revenue: Cable distribution network segment (Cable); Broadband segment and Soccer segment.

    Cable Distribution segment reported operating revenue growth of 7.2 percent in FY-16 to Rs 1,193.55 crore as compared to Rs 1,113.46 crore in the previous year. The segment’s comparative operating profit numbers have been mentioned above.

    Den’s Broadband segment revenue numbers have been mentioned above.  The segment’s operating loss increased to Rs 78.26 crore as compared to an operating loss of Rs 47.06 crore in the previous year.

    Den’s Soccer segment reported revenue of Rs 24.1 crore, triple as compared to Rs 8.08 crore in FY-15. Soccer segment reported lower operating loss of Rs 34.15 crore in the current year as compared to an operating loss Rs 46.05 crore in the previous year.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Den

    Den’s loss for the current year increased to Rs 260.92 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 144.01 crore in the previous year

    Den’s Total Expenditure in the current year increased 11.4 percent to Rs 1,362.85 crore (108.3 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 1,223.18 crore (108.3 percent of TIO).

    Content cost in FY-16 increased 12.4 percent to Rs 510.16 crore (40.5 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 454.52 crore (40.2 percent of TIO) in FY-15.

    Finance costs in the current year increased 3.1 percent to Rs 84.89 crore (6.7 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 82.30 crore (7.3 percent of TIO) in the previous year.

    Employee Benefit Expense (EBE) in FY-16 increased 24.5 percent to Rs 137.77 crore (10.9 percent of TIO) from Rs 110.70 crore (9.8 percent of TIO) in FY-15.

  • Den Networks Cable business reports op profit, Broadband op revenue up fivefold

    Den Networks Cable business reports op profit, Broadband op revenue up fivefold

    BENGALURU: Den Networks Ltd (Den) Cable Distribution Network segment reported an operating profit of Rs 8.14 crore in in the fiscal ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year) as compared a loss of Rs 0.43 crore in  FY-15. Its Broadband segment operating revenue increased to fivefold in FY-16 as compared to FY-15. Broadband segment’s revenue in FY-16 was Rs 40.62 crore as compared to Rs 8.08 crore in the previous year.

    The company reported 11.4 percent growth in consolidated Total Income from operations (TIO) as compared to the previous year. Den reported TIO in FY-16 of Rs 1,256.58 crore as compared to Rs 1,129.64 crore in the previous year.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR). The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:

    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.

    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    Den’s operating profit (Earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation) including other income increased 7.1 percent to Rs 193.03 crore (15.3 percent EBIDTA margin on TIO) as compared to Rs 180.23 crore (16 percent EBIDTA margin on TIO) in FY-15.

    Segment Revenue

    Three segments contribute to Den’s revenue: Cable distribution network segment (Cable); Broadband segment and Soccer segment.

    Cable Distribution segment reported operating revenue growth of 7.2 percent in FY-16 to Rs 1,193.55 crore as compared to Rs 1,113.46 crore in the previous year. The segment’s comparative operating profit numbers have been mentioned above.

    Den’s Broadband segment revenue numbers have been mentioned above.  The segment’s operating loss increased to Rs 78.26 crore as compared to an operating loss of Rs 47.06 crore in the previous year.

    Den’s Soccer segment reported revenue of Rs 24.1 crore, triple as compared to Rs 8.08 crore in FY-15. Soccer segment reported lower operating loss of Rs 34.15 crore in the current year as compared to an operating loss Rs 46.05 crore in the previous year.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Den

    Den’s loss for the current year increased to Rs 260.92 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 144.01 crore in the previous year

    Den’s Total Expenditure in the current year increased 11.4 percent to Rs 1,362.85 crore (108.3 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 1,223.18 crore (108.3 percent of TIO).

    Content cost in FY-16 increased 12.4 percent to Rs 510.16 crore (40.5 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 454.52 crore (40.2 percent of TIO) in FY-15.

    Finance costs in the current year increased 3.1 percent to Rs 84.89 crore (6.7 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 82.30 crore (7.3 percent of TIO) in the previous year.

    Employee Benefit Expense (EBE) in FY-16 increased 24.5 percent to Rs 137.77 crore (10.9 percent of TIO) from Rs 110.70 crore (9.8 percent of TIO) in FY-15.

  • FY-16: Hathway revenue up 13.7 percent, EBIDTA up 51.7 percent

    FY-16: Hathway revenue up 13.7 percent, EBIDTA up 51.7 percent

    BENGALURU: Indian multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited (Hathway) reported 13.7 per cent growth in Total Income from operations (TIO) and 51.7 percent growth in operating profits (EBIDTA) for the fiscal ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year). The company reported TIO of Rs 2,081.63 crore in FY-16 as compared to Rs 1,831.60 crore in the previous year. The company’s EBDITA in the current year was Rs 388.69 crore (18.7 percent EBIDTA margin) and was Rs 256.16 crore (14 percent EBIDTA margin) in the previous year. The company narrowed its loss in the current year to Rs 163.13 crore in FY-16 from a loss of Rs 180.45 crore in FY-16.

    High growth in Activation fees and Broadband revenue are chiefly responsible for the improved performance.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:
    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.
    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    The company’s broadband segment has been performing very well, as a matter of fact, among the national level MSOs’ Hathway has the highest subscription and revenue numbers among all of them. Hathway says that it has invested Rs 206 crore into its Broadband business in FY-16.

    Hathway’s consolidated broadband subscribers increased 38 percent in FY16 to 6.272 lakh from 4.558 lakh in FY-15. Consolidated broadband revenue in the current year increased 61 percent to Rs 399.3 crore from Rs 247.5 crore in the previous year. Broadband ARPU in the current year increased to Rs 670 from Rs 530 in the previous year.

    Consolidated reported CATV subscription revenue in the current year declined 3.3 percent to Rs 812.7 crore from Rs 840.3 crore in FY-15.

    The company says that it deployed 22 lakh set top boxes in FY-16, 10 lakh of them in the last quarter of FY-16, and it has 1.06 crore CATV digital subscriber’s (87 percent of its subscriber base of 1.23 crore). Its DAS phase I area standalone Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) in the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q4-16, current quarter) increased to Rs 105 from Rs 100 in Q4-15. Its standalone DAS phase II area ARPU in Q4-16 increased to Rs 86 from Rs 67 in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Placement revenue in the current year declined 4 percent to Rs 598.8 crore from Rs 626.9 crore in the previous year.

    Activation revenue almost tripled (2.8 times) in FY-16 to Rs 227.9 crore from Rs 82.4 crore in FY-15.

    Other revenue increased 24 percent in FY-15 to Rs 42.9 crore from Rs 34.6 in the previous year.

    Hathway’s Total Expenditure in FY-16 increased 8.9 percent to Rs 2,072.56 crore (99.6 percent of TIO) from Rs 1,903.38 crore (103.9 percent of TIO) in the previous year.

    Pay channel cost in the current year increased 1 percent to Rs 821.65 crore (39.5 percent of TIO) from Rs 813.13 crore (44.4 percent of TIO) in FY-15.

  • FY-16: Hathway revenue up 13.7 percent, EBIDTA up 51.7 percent

    FY-16: Hathway revenue up 13.7 percent, EBIDTA up 51.7 percent

    BENGALURU: Indian multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited (Hathway) reported 13.7 per cent growth in Total Income from operations (TIO) and 51.7 percent growth in operating profits (EBIDTA) for the fiscal ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year). The company reported TIO of Rs 2,081.63 crore in FY-16 as compared to Rs 1,831.60 crore in the previous year. The company’s EBDITA in the current year was Rs 388.69 crore (18.7 percent EBIDTA margin) and was Rs 256.16 crore (14 percent EBIDTA margin) in the previous year. The company narrowed its loss in the current year to Rs 163.13 crore in FY-16 from a loss of Rs 180.45 crore in FY-16.

    High growth in Activation fees and Broadband revenue are chiefly responsible for the improved performance.

    Note: The unit of currency in this report is the Indian rupee – Rs (also conventionally represented by INR).The Indian numbering system or the Vedic numbering system has been used to denote money values. The basic conversion to the international norm would be:
    (a) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10,000,000 = 10 million = 1 crore.
    (b) 10,000 lakh = 100 crore = 1 arab = 1 billion.

    The company’s broadband segment has been performing very well, as a matter of fact, among the national level MSOs’ Hathway has the highest subscription and revenue numbers among all of them. Hathway says that it has invested Rs 206 crore into its Broadband business in FY-16.

    Hathway’s consolidated broadband subscribers increased 38 percent in FY16 to 6.272 lakh from 4.558 lakh in FY-15. Consolidated broadband revenue in the current year increased 61 percent to Rs 399.3 crore from Rs 247.5 crore in the previous year. Broadband ARPU in the current year increased to Rs 670 from Rs 530 in the previous year.

    Consolidated reported CATV subscription revenue in the current year declined 3.3 percent to Rs 812.7 crore from Rs 840.3 crore in FY-15.

    The company says that it deployed 22 lakh set top boxes in FY-16, 10 lakh of them in the last quarter of FY-16, and it has 1.06 crore CATV digital subscriber’s (87 percent of its subscriber base of 1.23 crore). Its DAS phase I area standalone Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) in the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q4-16, current quarter) increased to Rs 105 from Rs 100 in Q4-15. Its standalone DAS phase II area ARPU in Q4-16 increased to Rs 86 from Rs 67 in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Placement revenue in the current year declined 4 percent to Rs 598.8 crore from Rs 626.9 crore in the previous year.

    Activation revenue almost tripled (2.8 times) in FY-16 to Rs 227.9 crore from Rs 82.4 crore in FY-15.

    Other revenue increased 24 percent in FY-15 to Rs 42.9 crore from Rs 34.6 in the previous year.

    Hathway’s Total Expenditure in FY-16 increased 8.9 percent to Rs 2,072.56 crore (99.6 percent of TIO) from Rs 1,903.38 crore (103.9 percent of TIO) in the previous year.

    Pay channel cost in the current year increased 1 percent to Rs 821.65 crore (39.5 percent of TIO) from Rs 813.13 crore (44.4 percent of TIO) in FY-15.

  • MPA forecasts Asia Pacific online video opportunity at US$35 billion by 2021

    MPA forecasts Asia Pacific online video opportunity at US$35 billion by 2021

    MUMBAI: According to a report by Media Partners Asia (MPA), Asia Pacific online video revenue is expected to reach US$35 billion by 2021, an average annual growth of 22 per cent from US$13 billion in 2016.

    China will remain the largest market, accounting for 76 per cent of Asia Pacific online video revenue by 2021. Japan, Australia, Korea and India will also be significant, in aggregate accounting for 17 per cent of regional online video revenue by 2021. 

    The report, entitled Asia Pacific Online Video Distribution, covers 14 markets, tracking the growth of advertising and subscription-based online video, as well as mobile and fixed broadband.

    Commenting on the report findings, MPA executive director Vivek Couto said, “The growth of broadband, combined with slow but progressive change in content licensing, is driving demand for online video services. However, the distribution of driver local content online is modest, especially outside of China, India and Korea. This is evident in Southeast Asia, where broadband penetration is growing rapidly but from a low base in most markets. Telecom operators in these markets are investing in broadband networks and integrating with online video platforms to help drive subscriptions. This allows online video operators to utilize carrier billing, overcoming market limitations in payment infrastructure. It’s a bet to drive online video consumption in the short term and ARPUs in the long term.”

    Online video advertising accounted for less than 15 per cent of Asia Pacific digital ad spend in 2015. This share will grow to 22 per cent by 2021. Online video ad sales will reach approximately US$22 billion by 2021 versus US$9 billion in 2016, a 19 per cent CAGR. China will represent more than 70 per cent of the online video advertising pie by 2021.

    In the online subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) segment, MPA expects total paying customers to grow from 177 million by 2016 to 360 million by 2021, with China contributing the majority. SVOD revenue will reach US$13 billion by 2021, a 28 per cent CAGR from US$3.7 billion in 2016.

    China will again contribute the majority, representing more than 80 per cent by 2021. The Southeast Asia SVOD opportunity will grow rapidly but from a low base, representing about US$200 million in revenue by 2021.

    Asia Pacific fixed broadband subs will reach 345 million in 2016, and grow to 425 million by 2021. Average broadband household penetration will grow from 35 per cent in 2016 to 41 percent in 2021. Mobile broadband will reach 79 per cent of the Asia Pacific population by 2021, versus 46 per cent in 2016.

  • MPA forecasts Asia Pacific online video opportunity at US$35 billion by 2021

    MPA forecasts Asia Pacific online video opportunity at US$35 billion by 2021

    MUMBAI: According to a report by Media Partners Asia (MPA), Asia Pacific online video revenue is expected to reach US$35 billion by 2021, an average annual growth of 22 per cent from US$13 billion in 2016.

    China will remain the largest market, accounting for 76 per cent of Asia Pacific online video revenue by 2021. Japan, Australia, Korea and India will also be significant, in aggregate accounting for 17 per cent of regional online video revenue by 2021. 

    The report, entitled Asia Pacific Online Video Distribution, covers 14 markets, tracking the growth of advertising and subscription-based online video, as well as mobile and fixed broadband.

    Commenting on the report findings, MPA executive director Vivek Couto said, “The growth of broadband, combined with slow but progressive change in content licensing, is driving demand for online video services. However, the distribution of driver local content online is modest, especially outside of China, India and Korea. This is evident in Southeast Asia, where broadband penetration is growing rapidly but from a low base in most markets. Telecom operators in these markets are investing in broadband networks and integrating with online video platforms to help drive subscriptions. This allows online video operators to utilize carrier billing, overcoming market limitations in payment infrastructure. It’s a bet to drive online video consumption in the short term and ARPUs in the long term.”

    Online video advertising accounted for less than 15 per cent of Asia Pacific digital ad spend in 2015. This share will grow to 22 per cent by 2021. Online video ad sales will reach approximately US$22 billion by 2021 versus US$9 billion in 2016, a 19 per cent CAGR. China will represent more than 70 per cent of the online video advertising pie by 2021.

    In the online subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) segment, MPA expects total paying customers to grow from 177 million by 2016 to 360 million by 2021, with China contributing the majority. SVOD revenue will reach US$13 billion by 2021, a 28 per cent CAGR from US$3.7 billion in 2016.

    China will again contribute the majority, representing more than 80 per cent by 2021. The Southeast Asia SVOD opportunity will grow rapidly but from a low base, representing about US$200 million in revenue by 2021.

    Asia Pacific fixed broadband subs will reach 345 million in 2016, and grow to 425 million by 2021. Average broadband household penetration will grow from 35 per cent in 2016 to 41 percent in 2021. Mobile broadband will reach 79 per cent of the Asia Pacific population by 2021, versus 46 per cent in 2016.

  • India has failed to move up the GCI index, despite the Digitization push and increase in broadband base

    India has failed to move up the GCI index, despite the Digitization push and increase in broadband base

    NEW DELHI: Despite the stress on Digital India, India retains its rank at the 44th position in GCI 2016 – the same as last year. India has a huge consumer base that’s connected to the globe mainly by submarine cables..

    Huawei’s 2016 Global Connectivity Index (GCI) released today.says India can focus on speeding up its optical fiber Bharat Broadband Networks to bring high-speed Internet connectivity to rural areas. Strategies for increasing mobile broadband supply will increase demand in the nation.

    Both the public and private sectors need to invest in their networks to serve the growing subscriber base, and provide universal broadband access with digital literacy programs to close the rural-urban divide. The government plans to train an additional 10 million people in ICT from towns and villages to help digitize rural communities.

    Global improvements have been seen in overall levels of national and economic digitization.

    In its third year, the report measures the progress of 50 nations in investing in and deploying Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to achieve economic digitization.

    The greatest improvements across the globe have been seen in broadband coverage and speed, but nations are also making headway with cloud, big data, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

    GCI 2016, Connect where it counts, measures how nations are progressing with digital transformation based on 40 indicators that cover the supply, demand, experience, and potential of five technology enablers: broadband, data centers, cloud, big data, and IoT. Investing in these five technologies enables nations to digitize their economies.

    Average national connectivity levels are 5 percent higher than they were in 2015.

    Twelve countries improved their positions, while four experienced a drop. The top three developed economies are the United States, Singapore, and Sweden. The leading developing economies are the United Arab Emirates in 19th place, Qatar in 21st, and China in 23rd.

    Examples of countries that moved up the index include the UK in 5th, up one place from last year; Malaysia, which jumped four places to 25th; and Indonesia, which moved up two places to 41st. Malaysia and Indonesia’s gains are attributable to broadband rollout, which in turn influences data center development. These two basic technologies lay the foundation for the three advanced technology enablers: cloud, big data, and IoT.

    GCI scores continue to show a positive correlation with GDP, similar to last year’s findings. However, the extent to which GCI influences GDP varies with the stage of digital transformation in each country.

    GCI 2016 identifies three groups of nations: Starters are beginning their digital journey and score between 20 and 34. At the moment, their digital infrastructure is not developed enough to strongly influence GDP. Adopters in the middle range have a stronger digital infrastructure and score between 35 and 55. They experience the greatest GDP gains per GCI point increase. Frontrunners show the greatest digital development with scores above 55, although GDP gains per GCI point are slightly less than Adopters.  However, Frontrunners show more mature cloud, big data, and IoT in readiness for more extensive economic digitization.

    GCI 2016 finds that investing in digital infrastructure correlates to GDP gains because it increases economic dynamism, efficiency, and productivity. To drive further GDP gains, countries need to move up the technology stack by investing in new technologies and ensuring they are adopted by governments, industry, and people.

    According to the report, nations with high GCI scores are also more competitive and innovative, with a close correlation found between GCI scores and ratings in the WEF Global Competitiveness Index and the Global Innovation Index, jointly published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization.

    “A revolutionary shift is occurring in the way the world works, with economies across the planet going digital fast. Nations that are in the early stages of economic digitization should develop long-term technology plans that include broadband and data centers to reap the benefits of enhanced growth,” said Kevin Zhang, president of Huawei Corporate Marketing. “Developed economies wanting to capitalize on their frontrunner ICT status should invest more in cloud, big data, and IoT technologies and solutions to experience the full benefits of a digital economy.”

    The 50 countries assessed by GCI 2016 account for 90 percent of global GDP and 78 percent of the world’s population.
    For information about Huawei Connectivity Index, visit: www.huawei.com/gci

     

  • India has failed to move up the GCI index, despite the Digitization push and increase in broadband base

    India has failed to move up the GCI index, despite the Digitization push and increase in broadband base

    NEW DELHI: Despite the stress on Digital India, India retains its rank at the 44th position in GCI 2016 – the same as last year. India has a huge consumer base that’s connected to the globe mainly by submarine cables..

    Huawei’s 2016 Global Connectivity Index (GCI) released today.says India can focus on speeding up its optical fiber Bharat Broadband Networks to bring high-speed Internet connectivity to rural areas. Strategies for increasing mobile broadband supply will increase demand in the nation.

    Both the public and private sectors need to invest in their networks to serve the growing subscriber base, and provide universal broadband access with digital literacy programs to close the rural-urban divide. The government plans to train an additional 10 million people in ICT from towns and villages to help digitize rural communities.

    Global improvements have been seen in overall levels of national and economic digitization.

    In its third year, the report measures the progress of 50 nations in investing in and deploying Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to achieve economic digitization.

    The greatest improvements across the globe have been seen in broadband coverage and speed, but nations are also making headway with cloud, big data, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

    GCI 2016, Connect where it counts, measures how nations are progressing with digital transformation based on 40 indicators that cover the supply, demand, experience, and potential of five technology enablers: broadband, data centers, cloud, big data, and IoT. Investing in these five technologies enables nations to digitize their economies.

    Average national connectivity levels are 5 percent higher than they were in 2015.

    Twelve countries improved their positions, while four experienced a drop. The top three developed economies are the United States, Singapore, and Sweden. The leading developing economies are the United Arab Emirates in 19th place, Qatar in 21st, and China in 23rd.

    Examples of countries that moved up the index include the UK in 5th, up one place from last year; Malaysia, which jumped four places to 25th; and Indonesia, which moved up two places to 41st. Malaysia and Indonesia’s gains are attributable to broadband rollout, which in turn influences data center development. These two basic technologies lay the foundation for the three advanced technology enablers: cloud, big data, and IoT.

    GCI scores continue to show a positive correlation with GDP, similar to last year’s findings. However, the extent to which GCI influences GDP varies with the stage of digital transformation in each country.

    GCI 2016 identifies three groups of nations: Starters are beginning their digital journey and score between 20 and 34. At the moment, their digital infrastructure is not developed enough to strongly influence GDP. Adopters in the middle range have a stronger digital infrastructure and score between 35 and 55. They experience the greatest GDP gains per GCI point increase. Frontrunners show the greatest digital development with scores above 55, although GDP gains per GCI point are slightly less than Adopters.  However, Frontrunners show more mature cloud, big data, and IoT in readiness for more extensive economic digitization.

    GCI 2016 finds that investing in digital infrastructure correlates to GDP gains because it increases economic dynamism, efficiency, and productivity. To drive further GDP gains, countries need to move up the technology stack by investing in new technologies and ensuring they are adopted by governments, industry, and people.

    According to the report, nations with high GCI scores are also more competitive and innovative, with a close correlation found between GCI scores and ratings in the WEF Global Competitiveness Index and the Global Innovation Index, jointly published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization.

    “A revolutionary shift is occurring in the way the world works, with economies across the planet going digital fast. Nations that are in the early stages of economic digitization should develop long-term technology plans that include broadband and data centers to reap the benefits of enhanced growth,” said Kevin Zhang, president of Huawei Corporate Marketing. “Developed economies wanting to capitalize on their frontrunner ICT status should invest more in cloud, big data, and IoT technologies and solutions to experience the full benefits of a digital economy.”

    The 50 countries assessed by GCI 2016 account for 90 percent of global GDP and 78 percent of the world’s population.
    For information about Huawei Connectivity Index, visit: www.huawei.com/gci

     

  • DEN Networks to de-merge broadband biz; consolidate cable TV enterprises

    DEN Networks to de-merge broadband biz; consolidate cable TV enterprises

    NEW DELHI: With an aim of creating a distinct identity for each of its enterprises, major multi-satellite operator Den Networks Ltd to merge 23 subsidiaries in the cable business and to de-merge its broadband business into a wholly owned subsidiary.

    The Board of Directors has granted in-principle approval for the changes following corporate action subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.

    The aim is to strengthen the single brand leading to a stronger market presence, providing customers with a seamless on-board experience, and removing any other brand perceptions and distinctions in customers’ minds.

    The structure will result in economies of scale and reduce administrative and regulatory compliances and a more focused operational effort, realising synergies in terms of compliance, governance, administration and cost synergies.

    The de-merger of broadband will enable a focused attention on the Internet Service Provider business and achieve structural and operational efficiency, enhanced competitiveness and greater accountability besides accelerating value creation for shareholders, the company said.

    Furthermore, the separation will allow DEN to aggressively focus on the significant growth potential for high speed data and related services in India.

    DEN also intends to take the lead in driving wire line broadband penetration in India.

    DEN Networks CEO Pradeep Parameswaran said, “We are focused on creation of a distinct identity for each of our businesses and the recent in-principle board approval is a step in this direction. This corporate structure will strengthen the  brand while also giving us an opportunity for shareholder value creation.”