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Tag: Idea Cellular

  • dittoTV partners Idea to provide 90+ live channels

    dittoTV partners Idea to provide 90+ live channels

    MUMBAI: Zee Digital Convergence Limited’s (ZDCL) live TV platform dittoTV has partnered with Idea Cellular for its entertainment app, Idea Movies Club. Through this, Idea subscribers will get access to a bouquet of 90+ premium live TV channels. Idea Cellular will also offer its subscribers a subscription of dittoTV bundled with its data recharges and Movie Club packs.

    Idea Movie Club is a free video streaming app offering unlimited access to music videos, movies and Hollywood, Bollywood and regional TV shows across 10+ different languages. The live TV channels offered by the app can be accessed via ditto TV, which is featured as a separate tab in the app.

    “With dittoTV, our aim is to bring Live TV within the reach of every Indian and help them access a rich portfolio of content across genres and languages. With this collaboration, Idea customers can watch their favorite TV shows live anytime, anywhere, on any internet enabled device, along with all the other wonderful video and movies content offered by the Idea Movie Club app. This is a fantastic option especially for working professionals who are constantly on-the-go and hostel students who may not have easy access to a TV set and would otherwise miss out on their favorite programmes,” said dittoTV business head Archana Anand.

    Positioned as Desh ka TV, dittoTV has several strategic partnerships in place to strengthen its reach across the country. dittoTV is available to users on both Android and iOS platforms. The subscription charges for the platform start from INR 20 per month.

  • Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    MUMBAI: It’s common knowledge that Reliance Jio, Mukesh Ambani’s telecom venture, is up against incumbent rivals such as Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, and Idea Cellular. Jio closed 2016 with 72.4 million subscribers. Last September, it claimed to be the fastest growing technology operation in the globe after signing up 50 million subs in 83 days.

    Ambani has already invested Rs 1,71,000 crore (approx US$25 billion) into Jio to build India’s first fourth-generation (4G)-only infrastructure to provide high-speed internet. He recently announced that Jio will raise another Rs 30,000 crore through a rights issue, which will be used to expand existing network and lay additional optical fibre cable (OFC). OFC is vital for high-speed internet as it joins one telecom tower, transmitting air waves for wireless connectivity, to the other, via cables.

    Reliance announced plans for a rights issue of convertible preference shares at Jio to raise US$ 4.4 billion. A part of the funds will be used to continue funding its free internet services, which has been a reason for regulatory tussle with other telecom operators.

    Vodafone is fighting a legal case against Jio. Bharti CMD Sunil Mittal said that Jio’s free services started an unfair competition.

    Jio has already acquired 72 million subscribers, and is adding six lakh new ones every day, the company says. Jio’s offers set off a price war. Airtel now is offering Rs 9,000 of free 4G data to new subs and has also cut down its data prices by two-thirds. Idea also is offering several schemes to data users.

    Jio is getting more subscribers with an introductory and then New Year offer of free services until March. The company also claims the most extensive Indian 4G network which will reach soon 90 per cent population.

  • Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    Jio may use US$4.4bn to lay OFC, expand network to stifle competition

    MUMBAI: It’s common knowledge that Reliance Jio, Mukesh Ambani’s telecom venture, is up against incumbent rivals such as Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, and Idea Cellular. Jio closed 2016 with 72.4 million subscribers. Last September, it claimed to be the fastest growing technology operation in the globe after signing up 50 million subs in 83 days.

    Ambani has already invested Rs 1,71,000 crore (approx US$25 billion) into Jio to build India’s first fourth-generation (4G)-only infrastructure to provide high-speed internet. He recently announced that Jio will raise another Rs 30,000 crore through a rights issue, which will be used to expand existing network and lay additional optical fibre cable (OFC). OFC is vital for high-speed internet as it joins one telecom tower, transmitting air waves for wireless connectivity, to the other, via cables.

    Reliance announced plans for a rights issue of convertible preference shares at Jio to raise US$ 4.4 billion. A part of the funds will be used to continue funding its free internet services, which has been a reason for regulatory tussle with other telecom operators.

    Vodafone is fighting a legal case against Jio. Bharti CMD Sunil Mittal said that Jio’s free services started an unfair competition.

    Jio has already acquired 72 million subscribers, and is adding six lakh new ones every day, the company says. Jio’s offers set off a price war. Airtel now is offering Rs 9,000 of free 4G data to new subs and has also cut down its data prices by two-thirds. Idea also is offering several schemes to data users.

    Jio is getting more subscribers with an introductory and then New Year offer of free services until March. The company also claims the most extensive Indian 4G network which will reach soon 90 per cent population.

  • Rs 30k cr to enhance Jio coverage; A-G clears DoT’s power to penalise telcos

    Rs 30k cr to enhance Jio coverage; A-G clears DoT’s power to penalise telcos

    MUMBAI: Even as India’s attorney-general cleared a Rs 3,050 crore penal action against the leading telcos, Reliance CMD Mukesh Ambani is planning to infuse Rs 30,000 crore in Reliance Jio telecom venture which has caused a major disruption in India’s fiercely-competitive mobile market.

    The attorney-general is understood to have opined that the Department of Telecom (DoT) has the power to impose penalty on grounds of poor quality of service of telecom operators Vodafone, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular, sources told PTI.

    Reliance Jio, which reportedly had a subscriber base of 72.4 million at 2016-end, plans to collect funds via a rights issue that was approved at a recent board meeting, the Times of India reported.

    In view of the unprecedented customer response and to address the anticipated growth in demand for digital services, Jio stated, additional investments were proposed to be made into the network to enhance its capacity and coverage. The new funds will come on top of the Rs 1.7 lakh crore that Reliance Jio has already invested.

    The rights issue has been planned to be for six billion nine per cent non-cumulative optionally convertible preference shares (OCPS) of Rs 10 each for cash, at a premium of Rs 40 per OCPS. The amount subscribed/paid on each OCPS will be either redeemed at Rs 50 or converted into five equity shares of Rs 10 each at any time at the option of the company, but not later than 10 years from the date of allotment.

    The new entrant Jio caused a considerable disruption in the space. In broadband services, with 35.94 million (3.594 crore), Jio had, in October 2016, joined the top five subscribers list. No matter it is working out to the benefit of the consumer and helping the industry expand albeit at a much lower cost to the end-user, well-entrenched rivals now are on a slippery wicket. Meanwhile, other telecom operators in the country are scrambling to catch up.

    Telecom tribunal TDSAT has ordered the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to take a stand on Reliance Jio’s free 4G offer in reasonable time. A tribunal bench heard arguments of both sides — TRAI and Airtel — and posted the matter for 1 February.

    Reliance Jio earlier chose not to respond to queries regarding its reply to TRAI in connection with questions raised against alleged violations in extending its free offer till 31 March 2017 much beyond its introductory offer. Airtel had filed a petition before TDSAT accusing TRAI of being ‘sleeping trustee’ and a ‘mute spectator’ to the violations carried out by Jio.

    Also Read:

    Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

    Jio HNY: TDSAT raps TRAI as contest deepens

    Respond to Vodafone’s TRAI challenge in two weeks, govt directed

     

  • Rs 30k cr to enhance Jio coverage; A-G clears DoT’s power to penalise telcos

    Rs 30k cr to enhance Jio coverage; A-G clears DoT’s power to penalise telcos

    MUMBAI: Even as India’s attorney-general cleared a Rs 3,050 crore penal action against the leading telcos, Reliance CMD Mukesh Ambani is planning to infuse Rs 30,000 crore in Reliance Jio telecom venture which has caused a major disruption in India’s fiercely-competitive mobile market.

    The attorney-general is understood to have opined that the Department of Telecom (DoT) has the power to impose penalty on grounds of poor quality of service of telecom operators Vodafone, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular, sources told PTI.

    Reliance Jio, which reportedly had a subscriber base of 72.4 million at 2016-end, plans to collect funds via a rights issue that was approved at a recent board meeting, the Times of India reported.

    In view of the unprecedented customer response and to address the anticipated growth in demand for digital services, Jio stated, additional investments were proposed to be made into the network to enhance its capacity and coverage. The new funds will come on top of the Rs 1.7 lakh crore that Reliance Jio has already invested.

    The rights issue has been planned to be for six billion nine per cent non-cumulative optionally convertible preference shares (OCPS) of Rs 10 each for cash, at a premium of Rs 40 per OCPS. The amount subscribed/paid on each OCPS will be either redeemed at Rs 50 or converted into five equity shares of Rs 10 each at any time at the option of the company, but not later than 10 years from the date of allotment.

    The new entrant Jio caused a considerable disruption in the space. In broadband services, with 35.94 million (3.594 crore), Jio had, in October 2016, joined the top five subscribers list. No matter it is working out to the benefit of the consumer and helping the industry expand albeit at a much lower cost to the end-user, well-entrenched rivals now are on a slippery wicket. Meanwhile, other telecom operators in the country are scrambling to catch up.

    Telecom tribunal TDSAT has ordered the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to take a stand on Reliance Jio’s free 4G offer in reasonable time. A tribunal bench heard arguments of both sides — TRAI and Airtel — and posted the matter for 1 February.

    Reliance Jio earlier chose not to respond to queries regarding its reply to TRAI in connection with questions raised against alleged violations in extending its free offer till 31 March 2017 much beyond its introductory offer. Airtel had filed a petition before TDSAT accusing TRAI of being ‘sleeping trustee’ and a ‘mute spectator’ to the violations carried out by Jio.

    Also Read:

    Darwin effect: 3-4 telcos may Jio after potential M&As

    Jio HNY: TDSAT raps TRAI as contest deepens

    Respond to Vodafone’s TRAI challenge in two weeks, govt directed

     

  • TRAI to meet b’casters, MSOs, DTH ops, telcos on ’17 roadmap

    TRAI to meet b’casters, MSOs, DTH ops, telcos on ’17 roadmap

    NEW DELHI: As promised by TRAI chairman RS Sharma, the regulator is getting pro-active. It has scheduled meetings with top executives of telecom, broadcasting, DTH and MSO companies over the next one week starting 6 January, 2017 to seek their opinion on issues to be taken up during 2017.

    The first of these high-level meetings would take place Friday when TRAI Chairman and other officials would interact with CEOs of all telecom companies, including Bharti, Vodafone and Reliance Jio, to discuss and identify important issues that need to be taken up during the year, PTI reported.

    A similar meeting is slated with top executives of cable, broadcasting, MSO and DTH companies on January 10, 2017, PTI quoted TRAI sources as saying.

    “We have invited the CEOs of all telecom companies, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Reliance Jio and others for a discussion on January 6. Similarly, we have invited top executives of broadcasting companies, MSOs, and DTH companies on January 10,” the PTI report quoted sources as saying.

    TRAI’s latest initiatives are in line with what Chairman RS Sharma had told indiantelevision.com in a year-end interview middle of December 2016 on charting a roadmap for 2017.

    “What we plan to do in 2017 is something interesting. While there will be always issues that will need TRAI’s urgent attention — for example, the government may ask for advice on spectrum prices — we are trying to create a calendar for the next year…. highlighting the works that need to be taken up in 2017 and which will act as a roadmap,” Sharma had told indiantelevision.com.

    Asked about the issues likely to be taken up by TRAI in2017, in consultation with the industry, Sharma had indicated it could involve data and consumer protection, Internet of Things (IoT), digital terrestrial broadcasting and other issues related to emerging technologies.

    ALSO READ

    “There would be a lot on TRAI’s plate in 2017” – RS Sharma

  • TRAI to meet b’casters, MSOs, DTH ops, telcos on ’17 roadmap

    TRAI to meet b’casters, MSOs, DTH ops, telcos on ’17 roadmap

    NEW DELHI: As promised by TRAI chairman RS Sharma, the regulator is getting pro-active. It has scheduled meetings with top executives of telecom, broadcasting, DTH and MSO companies over the next one week starting 6 January, 2017 to seek their opinion on issues to be taken up during 2017.

    The first of these high-level meetings would take place Friday when TRAI Chairman and other officials would interact with CEOs of all telecom companies, including Bharti, Vodafone and Reliance Jio, to discuss and identify important issues that need to be taken up during the year, PTI reported.

    A similar meeting is slated with top executives of cable, broadcasting, MSO and DTH companies on January 10, 2017, PTI quoted TRAI sources as saying.

    “We have invited the CEOs of all telecom companies, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Reliance Jio and others for a discussion on January 6. Similarly, we have invited top executives of broadcasting companies, MSOs, and DTH companies on January 10,” the PTI report quoted sources as saying.

    TRAI’s latest initiatives are in line with what Chairman RS Sharma had told indiantelevision.com in a year-end interview middle of December 2016 on charting a roadmap for 2017.

    “What we plan to do in 2017 is something interesting. While there will be always issues that will need TRAI’s urgent attention — for example, the government may ask for advice on spectrum prices — we are trying to create a calendar for the next year…. highlighting the works that need to be taken up in 2017 and which will act as a roadmap,” Sharma had told indiantelevision.com.

    Asked about the issues likely to be taken up by TRAI in2017, in consultation with the industry, Sharma had indicated it could involve data and consumer protection, Internet of Things (IoT), digital terrestrial broadcasting and other issues related to emerging technologies.

    ALSO READ

    “There would be a lot on TRAI’s plate in 2017” – RS Sharma

  • TRAI to examine whether 4G offer can ‘Jio’ till Mar ’17

    TRAI to examine whether 4G offer can ‘Jio’ till Mar ’17

    MUMBAI: In his attempt to arduously chase the 100-million subscriber base, Reliance Jio CMD Mukesh Ambani announced extension of free domestic voice calls and data till 31 March, 2017, having crossed 50 million in 83 days. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), however, said it will examine Jio’s latest offer providing free 4G services for all till 31 March.

    Jio’s new offer, meanwhile, struck a blow at competing incumbent operators — Idea Cellular, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone India. The latest offer hurt the rivals’ share price. Airtel was down 1.66% at Rs 319.10 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications, respectively, dropped around 6% and 5%. By contrast, RIL price was up 0.45%.

    Ambani, on Thursday, announced the continuation of freebies currently being offered for fourth-generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) data and voice services till March next year. TRAI had earlier allowed Reliance Jio to provide free service till the end of this year.

    About the validity of Jio’s offer, TRAI chairman R S Sharma said that they would look into it. Every tariff that was filed before the authority was examined. TRAI would give its response at an appropriate time, Sharma added. TRAI had earlier allowed the new operator to provide free services till the end of 2016 for subscribers who joined till 3 December.

    The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) meantime stated that it did not formally allow use of the prime minister Narendra Modi’s picture in electronic and print advertisements of Reliance Jio.

    Meanwhile, lower penetration of broadband (7 per cent) may slow down the ‘Digital India’ drive, according to TRAI. Sharma suggested that a potential solution would be to use connections for cable TV for broadband delivery. TRAI has already made the recommendation to the government, he added. Digital India would have to ride on that infrastructure, and if India did not have robust infrastructure, it was not going to achieve the objective of knowledge economy, Sharma added.

    Also read:

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/jio-money-merchant-app-helps-transition-to-cashless-economy-161201

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/jio-extends-hny-free-data-offer-up-to-31-march-17-161201

  • TRAI to examine whether 4G offer can ‘Jio’ till Mar ’17

    TRAI to examine whether 4G offer can ‘Jio’ till Mar ’17

    MUMBAI: In his attempt to arduously chase the 100-million subscriber base, Reliance Jio CMD Mukesh Ambani announced extension of free domestic voice calls and data till 31 March, 2017, having crossed 50 million in 83 days. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), however, said it will examine Jio’s latest offer providing free 4G services for all till 31 March.

    Jio’s new offer, meanwhile, struck a blow at competing incumbent operators — Idea Cellular, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone India. The latest offer hurt the rivals’ share price. Airtel was down 1.66% at Rs 319.10 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications, respectively, dropped around 6% and 5%. By contrast, RIL price was up 0.45%.

    Ambani, on Thursday, announced the continuation of freebies currently being offered for fourth-generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) data and voice services till March next year. TRAI had earlier allowed Reliance Jio to provide free service till the end of this year.

    About the validity of Jio’s offer, TRAI chairman R S Sharma said that they would look into it. Every tariff that was filed before the authority was examined. TRAI would give its response at an appropriate time, Sharma added. TRAI had earlier allowed the new operator to provide free services till the end of 2016 for subscribers who joined till 3 December.

    The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) meantime stated that it did not formally allow use of the prime minister Narendra Modi’s picture in electronic and print advertisements of Reliance Jio.

    Meanwhile, lower penetration of broadband (7 per cent) may slow down the ‘Digital India’ drive, according to TRAI. Sharma suggested that a potential solution would be to use connections for cable TV for broadband delivery. TRAI has already made the recommendation to the government, he added. Digital India would have to ride on that infrastructure, and if India did not have robust infrastructure, it was not going to achieve the objective of knowledge economy, Sharma added.

    Also read:

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/jio-money-merchant-app-helps-transition-to-cashless-economy-161201

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/jio-extends-hny-free-data-offer-up-to-31-march-17-161201

  • Idea Cellular to offer live TV, music services

    Idea Cellular to offer live TV, music services

    MUMBAI: It’s the charge of the telco brigade. First Airtel and Reliance Jio hared into the content space by announcing their Wynk, Wynk Video and Wynk Games and JioGames, JioCinema, JioTV, JioPlay, JioOnDemand services offering an array of video, music, game chat apps. Now it’s the turn of another telco major – the Aditya Birla group owned Idea Cellular – to do the same. In an investor presentation, the company says it is planning its own range of mobile digital services right from live television to videos to music to games to music to news/magazines to chat and even money transfers.

    First off the blocks will be Idea Game Spark (Q3 FY 2017), Idea Videos and Idea Music before the last quarter of FY 2017 (January-March 2017). Idea TV, Idea News/magazines, Idea storage and Idea chat will follow in FY 2018 (April 2017 onwards).

    In the presentation, Idea says it expects mobile data usage to sky rocket just like voice over mobile did in the growth phase of wireless telephony. About 1.1 billion Indians will get access to wireless broadband by 2019-2020 (250-300 million in March 2015), and the subscriber base of 3G/4G services is expected to rapidly swell from 130 million in March 2016 to 540 million by 2021. Idea expects data consumption per user to more than treble from the current 475 MB per month in the same period.

    In March 2016, it had 22.8 million wireless broadband subs each of whom consumed 642 MB of data per month. Idea explains that its broadband services today are available to 400 million Indians; it is targeting to expand that 500 million by March 2017. It’s on course to have nearly 100,000 data sites active in 17 circles by the end of FY-2017.

    With the launch of its digital content and other apps, mobile subscribers are likely to be spoiled for choice and competition is expected to hot up between Jio, Airtel, Vodafone and Idea. For television channels and content creators, however, it’s going to open up new worlds of opportunity.