ITV

Tag: DOCSIS 3.0

  • Ortel announces launch of 100 Mbps speed on its DOCSIS 3.0 platform

    Ortel announces launch of 100 Mbps speed on its DOCSIS 3.0 platform

    MUMBAI:  Regional cable television and high speed broadband services provider Ortel Communications Limited has introduced a wide range of plans including100 Mbps mega speed DOCSIS 3.0 Broadband Internet in Odisha. Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) has been developed by CableLabs, which is an International Consortium of Cable Operators and MSOs, and approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T). This technology has been widely used in Europe and USA by leading ISPs says Ortel.

    The new Ortel Broadband plans range from 2Mbps to 100 Mbps which will cater to the requirements of most of the home broadband users ranging from simple browsing, chatting to using High Definition video content and high level Online Gaming.

    Ortel says that it is the first MSO to offer 100 Mbps Broadband in the state of Odisha using the DOCSIS 3.0 technology. It is being initially deployed in the city of Bhubaneswar and will be followed by other markets very soon.

    Commenting on the development Ortel president and CEO Bibhu Prasad Rath said, “We are happy to launch a wide array of Broadband plans in DOCSIS 2.0 and DOCSIS 3.0 technology platforms keeping in view the current pattern of internet usage by the subscribers. While we have very affordable plans to serve all internet subscribers, we have been continuously upgrading the speeds to cater to the fast changing usage trends of subscribers who have multiple requirements ranging from plain simple browsing, emailing, social media engagement, heavy downloading, video conferencing to the higher end usage of HD live streaming of video content and complex online gaming. Our endeavour is to constantly redefine our consumer experience and we will constantly pursue this objective in our markets to increase our broadband subscriber base. The company plans to actively roll out DOCSIS 3.0 plans to deliver exceptional internet surfing experience to its subscribers. Attractive COMBO plans are also made available to the Ortel cable TV subscribers, which is in line with our vision of ‘One Cable, Many Solutions’.”

  • Ortel announces launch of 100 Mbps speed on its DOCSIS 3.0 platform

    Ortel announces launch of 100 Mbps speed on its DOCSIS 3.0 platform

    MUMBAI:  Regional cable television and high speed broadband services provider Ortel Communications Limited has introduced a wide range of plans including100 Mbps mega speed DOCSIS 3.0 Broadband Internet in Odisha. Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) has been developed by CableLabs, which is an International Consortium of Cable Operators and MSOs, and approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T). This technology has been widely used in Europe and USA by leading ISPs says Ortel.

    The new Ortel Broadband plans range from 2Mbps to 100 Mbps which will cater to the requirements of most of the home broadband users ranging from simple browsing, chatting to using High Definition video content and high level Online Gaming.

    Ortel says that it is the first MSO to offer 100 Mbps Broadband in the state of Odisha using the DOCSIS 3.0 technology. It is being initially deployed in the city of Bhubaneswar and will be followed by other markets very soon.

    Commenting on the development Ortel president and CEO Bibhu Prasad Rath said, “We are happy to launch a wide array of Broadband plans in DOCSIS 2.0 and DOCSIS 3.0 technology platforms keeping in view the current pattern of internet usage by the subscribers. While we have very affordable plans to serve all internet subscribers, we have been continuously upgrading the speeds to cater to the fast changing usage trends of subscribers who have multiple requirements ranging from plain simple browsing, emailing, social media engagement, heavy downloading, video conferencing to the higher end usage of HD live streaming of video content and complex online gaming. Our endeavour is to constantly redefine our consumer experience and we will constantly pursue this objective in our markets to increase our broadband subscriber base. The company plans to actively roll out DOCSIS 3.0 plans to deliver exceptional internet surfing experience to its subscribers. Attractive COMBO plans are also made available to the Ortel cable TV subscribers, which is in line with our vision of ‘One Cable, Many Solutions’.”

  • Hathway ropes in Sania Mirza as brand ambassador for broadband service

    Hathway ropes in Sania Mirza as brand ambassador for broadband service

    MUMBAI: It was in October 2013, when multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable & Datacom rolled out its Docsis 3.0 service, with ultra high speed internet connectivity of 50mbps. Now, in order to promote it, the MSO has roped in sports personality Sania Mirza as its brand ambassador.

     

    Hathway MD & CEO Jagdish Kumar said, “We are extremely proud to associate with Sania Mirza, the Indian sports icon as she perfectly illustrates the attributes of the new Docsis 3.0 platform–speed, consistency and high- performance. Hathway has aligned with one of the major visions of the Indian government to develop digital infrastructure in the country that will boost productivity in all sectors. In a way to contribute towards this big vision and to provide better user experience, we at Hathway have launched the Docsis 3.0 service that will provide users – fast internet up to 50 mbps speed.”

     

    “With the impending data consumption explosion in India, Hathway’s high-speed internet service is a game changer in India. It is vital to have a disruption free service at affordable prices. Docsis 3.0 will create a revolution in the market. We shall continue to invest in expanding the high speed broadband network and deliver plans with lightning fast speeds that is crucial for superior consumer experiences,” he added.

     

    Speaking on the fast exploding internet consumption in the country, Hathway president Rajan Gupta said, “The digital change is not only sweeping across gen-next but also among the older generation. Today the internet has come a long way, to become a household product that is synonymous with utility, functionality, fun, entertainment, knowledge and much more. With multiple high-tech gadgets being connected to the internet, the time spent on the medium is increasing at a galloping rate. The bustling e-commerce phenomenon, online shopping, social networking, online surfing, audio & video streaming, gaming, cloud computing, all go on to emphasize the momentum and traffic internet has gathered in the recent years in India.”

     

    According to Gupta, the phenomenon of internet adoption is expected to leapfrog in the next five years. “In such a scenario speed and cost plan has always been the constant benchmarks for choosing broadband connection. With Hathway Docsis 3.0, that provides 10 times the internet speed, we aim to democratize broadband making it accessible to all at affordable price points. The benchmark we have set in terms of our 50 mbps speed is much comparable with the advanced broadband markets across the world. While we introduce the new network plan, we think this is the right time to establish our footprint in the internet broadband industry,” he concluded.

  • Hathway Cable becomes India’s first $1bn enterprise valuation MSO

    Hathway Cable becomes India’s first $1bn enterprise valuation MSO

    MUMBAI: New year celebrations don’t seem to have ended at the Raheja group company and multi system operator Hathway Cable & Datacom. The MSO has become the first company from the cable TV industry to have crossed the $1 billion mark in terms of enterprise valuation.

    At the time of filing the report, as on 6 January 2015, (1 USD= 63.4286 INR mid- market rate), the total valuation of the company including market cap (Rs 5581 crore) and debt (Rs 806 crore) and excluding cash and cash equivalents  was close to $ 1 billion (Rs 6387 crore).  

    Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO Jagdish Kumar Pillai is over the moon with this feat.  Says he, “This achievement has got more to do with the potential of the Indian cable TV market, and not just with what Hathway does.”

     For Pillai, digitisation has opened up the potential of unlocking the value that Indian cable TV industry holds. “With broadband and cable TV getting more transparent, the market is viewing this as a great industry to invest in the next five years, and that’s reflected in the balance sheet. It is a promise of a good potential,” he opines.

    With the industry getting more organised, Pillai expects more foreign investors to pump in funds into cable TV. “And that is what Hathway is doing. We are corporatising the whole industry and bringing the professionals to run our business. We have invested heavily in computer software and automation. It has become more like a telecom company. We expect a lot of investment interest in the industry now,” he adds.

    Pillai feels that it is Hathway’s broadband service which differentiates the company from the other players. “Our broadband service is strong and that has, along with our strong CATV, helped us reach at this level,” he says.  

    The plan for Hathway from here is clear: monetisation of the investments made in the phase I and II markets. “We have deployed 7 million set top boxes in the first two phases of DAS and we would like to monetise that. Also as we get closer to phase III and IV deadlines, we will look at opportunities which will enable us to expand further,” he informs.

    As for broadband, Hathway which has already upgraded its platform to DOCSIS 3.0, is looking at expanding to all the cities in which it has a presence.  “The investment will be two-fold, both in broadband and in cable TV,” concludes Pillai.

    Coming on the back of the announcement that the Videocon group has signed an agreement with US-based Silver Eagle Acquisition Corp to sell 33.5 per cent of its shares in its DTH venture Videocon d2h for $300 million, the Hathway landmark shows that confidence amongst investors for TV distribution initiatives seems to be reviving. And that’s good news for the entire TV ecosystem which has been struggling to digitise its TV viewer base.

     

  • Cisco powers Siti Cable’s DOCSIS 3.0 technology for broadband

    Cisco powers Siti Cable’s DOCSIS 3.0 technology for broadband

    MUMBAI: Siti Cable, that controls nearly 4.3 million digital cable TV subscribers, has chosen Cisco to boost its broadband. The tech company will provide DOCSIS 3.0 technology for its broadband service in the country.

    Through this, the MSO will be offering speed of up to 100 mbps. DOCSIS 3.0 can offer download speed of upto 300 mbps per subscriber and the upload capacity up to 100 mbps. As earlier reported by indiantelevision.com, this technology has been launched in Delhi and NCR.

    Speaking on the association, Siti Cable CEO VD Wadhwa said, “It is an absolute pleasure to be introducing our broadband service. We plan to accelerate the deployment to capitalise on the enormous business potential this market currently holds. With the deployment of this technology, we are uniquely positioned to offer superior Internet browsing, video streaming, video surveillance and rich media content on the same coaxial cable that delivers high-quality digital cable TV signals. We will offer much higher speed at highly competitive price. We are confident that Cisco’s technological expertise will help us in the achievement of this goal.”

    Cisco India and SAARC service provider sales managing director Sanjay Kaul said, “It is commendable to see Cisco’s vision, to be the leading enabler of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and broadband acceleration in India, coming closer to reality. We believe that the cable TV industry has the potential to transform the broadband industry in India and would like to congratulate Siti Cable for marking an important milestone on this roadmap.”

     

  • DEN selects Cisco DOCSIS 3.0 technology for broadband

    DEN selects Cisco DOCSIS 3.0 technology for broadband

    NEW DELHI: After multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable and Datacom launched DOCSIS 3.0 technology in October 2013, it is now DEN Networks that has selected Cisco’s DOCSIS 3.0 technology for its newly launched broadband service in India.

     

    DOCSIS 3.0 is a key component of the Cisco IP NGN architecture, which promises speeds of up to 300 Mbps per subscriber. With this, the MSO will be able to provide ultra-high-speed internet to deliver more content as compared to the existing telecom Internet service providers (ISPs).

     

    DEN currently reaches out to 13 million homes in over 200 cities. The MSO also offers digital cable TV services in India, using Cisco’s conditional access and middleware (set-top box software) and presently reaches over six million digital pay-TV homes.

     

    To begin with, DEN soft-launched its ultra-high-speed broadband service in one of its biggest markets and its home base, Delhi, and intends to expand the offering to other cities. The adoption of DOCSIS 3.0 is a strategic decision by the MSO to provide its subscribers with a seamless online experience with no buffering, lightning-fast downloads and higher-quality video content compared with existing telecom ISPs.

     

    Despite a population of 1.27 billion, according to TRAI’s latest Telecom Performance Indicators Report (October–December 2013), India has only 238.71 million Internet subscribers, out of which 18.33 million subscribers are wired Internet subscribers. The remaining 220.38 million access the internet though wireless connections like smartphones and data cards. The country’s major MSOs are preparing to capture this wireline broadband market using DOCSIS technology, giving a much-needed boost to broadband penetration in India, with each MSO also aware of the untapped 100 million cable TV homes in India. Therefore, the deployment of DOCSIS 3.0 across its existing cable networks is a significant step by DEN to capitalise on the enormous business potential of the broadband market.

     

    DEN COO Mohammad Ghulam Azhar said: “We are excited by the high-speed internet opportunity in India. With this superior technology, we are aiming to provide our broadband subscribers with a fast and consistent online experience.”

     

    Cisco India and SAARC president, sales Dinesh Malkani added: “Cisco’s vision is to be the leading enabler of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and broadband acceleration in India through innovative, scalable, high-value technology offerings and solutions. We believe our engagement with DEN has the potential to transform the cable and broadband industry in India by offering high-speed services to millions of subscribers and connecting those who previously were unable to access premium broadband services.”

  • Viren Raheja’s reengineering drive at Hathway

    Viren Raheja’s reengineering drive at Hathway

    BALI: Viren Raheja is a man with a mission: to change the culture at India’s leading cable TV multi system operator Hathway Cable & Datacom. With eight million digital TV homes from a total of 11 million, the network has been regarded as one of the shining stars emerging out of India’s cable TV ecosystem. But it has lost some of that shine in recent times.

     

     Admits Raheja who is a director of the firm: “We are going through a challenging phase – turbulence in the cable TV space – life is challenging.”

     

     Raheja is using the changing climes in India’s fragmented cable TV ecosystem – which has been undergoing a government mandated digitization rollout – to re-engineer his firm. “The company – like most of the other MSOs – was rooted in a B2B mindset as most of the time we were dealing with LCOs,” he reveals. “Now we are working on changing the DNA of Hathway from B2B to B2C.  We have already changed the entire senior management with one that has more of a B2C mindset. You will see more of that happening with talent from the telecom being hired.”

     

    Speaking at the Media Partners Asia organized Asia Pacific Operators Summit in Bali, Raheja  revealed that Hathway has done better than most in digitizing and putting set top boxes in subscribers’ homes  with a 30 per cent marketshare nationally. 

     

    “Now the key challenge is monetizing, upscaling customers to HD services and getting subscribers to pay,” he said.  “Gross billing has happened in some places but we are mostly at net billing with the LCOs. Over six months we see the movement to net billing being completed in phase I areas and over 12 months in phase II.”

     

     Raheja pointed out that digitizing is leading to a new power equation being forged between LCOs and MSOs. “Over 12-18 months, this relationship will stabilize. The current revenue split between us and our LCOs in 40 per cent to us and 60 per cent for them.  We see that settling at 65 per cent for us and 35 per cent for the LCOs. Once that happens, we may then think about acquiring some of them.”

     

    He is clear that the next 12 months are going to see the MSO focus on developing local content, pushing HD services and also building up its broadband play.

     

    “HD will help us give a better viewing experience and also the customer will pay more and local content will help keep them engaged,” Raheja disclosed.

     

    “On the broadband front, today, 15-20 per cent of our revenue is coming in from broadband. I would like to see that going up to 35-40 per cent over the next three years. Our play includes giving world class broadband with DOCSIS 3.0 modems. For me getting a nice return from subscribers is more important. Hence, I will be open to losing a video subscriber to retain a broadband subscriber who pays a lot more.”

     

    He believes that all this will need a cash infusion of about $100-150 million, which he intends to raise through a mix of debt and equity dilution.

     

    No merger or acquisition is on the cards with any other multisystem operator – at least for now- he revealed. “Cable is about local operations…I am not sure a merger with DEN or anyone else will create something unique,” concluded Raheja.