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Tag: MSO

  • Webinar: Building a homegrown content distribution security system

    Webinar: Building a homegrown content distribution security system

    KOLKATA: Taking ahead its webinar with experts across media and entertainment industry, Indiantelevision.com will be hosting a panel discussion on content security distribution ecosystem.

    Moderated by Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari, the discussion will revolve around – “Television: getting back to business; building a homegrown viable content security distribution ecosystem.” It will focus on other areas like acceptance of Indian origin CAS, digital TV tech, and how the vocal for local narrative will yield results for operators.

    Some of the prominent speakers include MyBox Technologies MD and CEO Amit Kharbanda, SITI Networks Ltd CEO Anil Malhotra, TRAI advisor Arvind Kumar, among others. It will be held on Wednesday, 16 December at 4 pm.

  • TRAI publishes consultation paper on platform service of DPOs

    TRAI publishes consultation paper on platform service of DPOs

    KOLKATA: Along with re-transmitting TV channels, the distribution platform operators (DPOs) provide certain programming services which are specific to their platforms. While the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been working around the regulatory framework for those platform services for some time now, the authority has again issued a consultation paper after the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) sent back references on earlier recommendations.

    MIB has referred back TRAI's recommendations on the framework published on 19 November 2014, and 13 November 2019 in its letter dated 23 November. The first set of recommendations have been accepted, except recommendation no.8 after consideration by inter-ministerial committee (IMC). However, certain addendums have been approved with modification.

    MIB had mentioned that some of the recommendations made by TRAI in 2019 regarding platform services (PS) offered by DTH operators, could be adopted with respect to MSOs/LCOs as well to have uniformity of guidelines in both segments. TRAI had agreed to the view.

    “Any person/ entity desirous of providing PS, or is already providing such services, must be incorporated as a company under the Indian Companies Act, 2013 and the rules framed thereunder,” TRAI had recommended earlier but that has not been accepted by IMC in the case of MSOs/LCOs.

    The committee is of the view that most of the MSOs/LCOs operated in small areas are either proprietorship or partnership firms which are not registered as companies. Making it obligatory for  MSOs/LCOs to convert into companies may not be in line with the promotion of ease of doing business. The IMC decided that anybody registered as a DPO, either with MIB or with post office, shall be eligible to carry PS channels.

    “In case MIB considers that there is no necessity to register as company for MSOs desirous to register their platform service, it should satisfy itself regarding the transparency of ownership and assurance of content of such platform services at the time of registration. MIB may ensure that registration of platform service channel may be made in such a way that the individuals provide full disclosure,” TRAI stated.

    Earlier, the regulatory body had recommended that a maximum number of five PS channels may be offered by the cable operators in non-DAS areas. In DAS areas and for all other platforms, a maximum of 15 PS channels may be offered by the DPOs.

    “With the completion of digitisation process, there is no distinction between DAS and non-DAS area. Further, it is noted while it is necessary to restrict capacity of PS channels carried by DPOs as recommended by TRAI, it is not in the interest of the evolving and dynamic market like cable TV to restrict the number of PS channels. Regulation may only intervene to the point of upholding customer interests, ethical business practices, ease of doing business and safeguard against violation of programming code and advertisement code. Taking note of this, it is recommended that the MSOs may be permitted to operate to a maximum of five per cent and LCOs to a maximum of one per cent, of the total permitted satellite channel being carried by them as permitted PS channels without any upper limit,” MIB said.

    The TRAI is of the view that the liberal regulatory framework of PS should not encourage the bypassing of the traditional broadcast routes. It further stated that it was not desirable to separately specify the limit on the number of PS channels that may be offered by the MSOs and LCOs. This may be left to the mutual arrangement among MSOs and LCOs. An MSO may remain responsible for all the platform service channels being offered on its platform.

  • ‘Foes to friends’: NXTDigital ramps up focus on collaboration & infra sharing

    ‘Foes to friends’: NXTDigital ramps up focus on collaboration & infra sharing

    KOLKATA: With the evolution of the media and entertainment industry, the boundary between friends and foes is fading away. The future is not about competition, but collaboration for long term sustainability, NXTDigital media group CEO Vynsley Fernandes believes. Moreover, the future of the distribution industry lies in consolidation and bundling all bills together, he says.

    Fernandes, an old face in the cable distribution industry, has recently been elevated as media group CEO of Hinduja group’s NXTDigital. The new role not only includes digital cable, HITS but also broadband and content business. To drive the growth of all businesses, he is looking to synergise cable TV or HITS service with broadband. While the video segment has got around 5.38 million customers, the broadband business nets 0.0408 million subscribers currently. He notes that the company has already seen good traction in combination service during Q2.

    However, NXTDigital is looking at pushing the product in selective markets where it already has a strong presence and a qualitative need for video and broadband is noticeable. The company has a stronghold in Mumbai, the rest of the west market, as well as Bengaluru and Delhi. Adding to its bastions, it has now set sights on West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana market. Fernandes emphasises that bundling products and solutions is very important at this point in time for the entire industry. Additionally, one of the biggest benefits of bundling is cost optimisation. During Diwali, NXTDigital has launched its hybrid device NXT Connect, which offers linear as well as OTT.

    “We are looking at penetrating our own customers of cable TV and HITS. We are looking for broadband to grow as it has been growing. The broadband segment has seen 16 per cent quarter-on-quarter growth in Q2. We are hoping for double-digit growth over the next two quarters in terms of broadband as a function of synergy. On the cable subscription side, we are not going to pursue revenue at the cost of profitability. We are not just rolling out discounted packages as ours is a qualitative product,” he comments.

    The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has recently amended the HITS guidelines by allowing the sharing of infrastructure by HITS operators with MSOs. Hence, Fernandes identifies it as a big area of growth. As infrastructure sharing can reduce the cost of connectivity significantly, he is of the belief that many operators would like to ride on their platform. Currently, they are exploring how to leverage this opportunity in the B2B model. He also mentions that competitors will have no hesitation in partnering with them thanks to the transparency brought in by the new tariff order.

    “One of the benefits of infrastructure sharing will be cost-optimisation. Before NTO, the biggest cost was content. You had to negotiate with the broadcaster. Thanks to NTO, the whole model is changed and there is transparency. The second biggest cost for everyone is connectivity. We believe connectivity costs can be leveraged by more and more operators joining together to share infrastructure and share services like our own infrastructure sharing. If they cut down the cost, they will have a better bottom line,” he explains.

    Among other options, there is still a huge opportunity for value-added service (VAS) as well, he adds. The main reason is the availability of various content in the linear model and in different regional languages. He also mentions that content provided by One Take Media and Shemaroo Entertainment is quite unique. As the company has seen good traction in the last few years, it has kept on continuing those services along with adding new ones. The MSO looks at three metrics for VAS — age, group and genre.

    According to Fernandes, the first half of the financial year 2020 had several positive as well as negative impacts on the sector, owing to the Covid2019 crisis. The lockdown brought greater engagement, higher viewership. For instance, kids programming has seen good offtake during the period while IPL has boosted TV viewership in the latter half. But labour migration, economic pressure did not bode well for the industry. However, he maintains that TV has a long future ahead with a continuous cycle of consumer evolution, gradually moving the ladder from FTA to pay TV, and the combination of HD and OTT.

  • Why last mile monopoly is a roadblock in broadband growth

    Why last mile monopoly is a roadblock in broadband growth

    KOLKATA: Demand for broadband connectivity has existed in India for a while, but recently, calls for better quality of service are growing increasingly strident. While the existing cable TV infrastructure could play a potential role in delivering broadband, last mile monopoly is one of the major factors that prevent the growth of the sector through infrastructure sharing.

    In response to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s consultation paper, one of the largest broadcasters – Star India stated that there is still a problem of last mile monopoly in the cable TV industry arising from exclusive deals between cable TV operators and Resident Welfare Associations (RWA).

    “Following TRAI recommendation on ‘In-Building Access by Telecom Service Providers’ in January, the DoT in November 2019 issued an advisory to all telecom service licensees to share in-building infrastructure to share infrastructure in airports, railway stations, bus terminals, metro lines and hospitals etc. The MIB, as the licensor of all MSOs, must issue a similar advisory for sharing of cable TV operators’ in-building infrastructure and infrastructures within a particular RWA,” Star India said.

    The broadcaster mentioned that 1,600 MSOs and 60,000 LCOs have laid a vast network of copper coaxial and fibre network connecting 8.3 crore households. It suggested that since these are private networks and do not utilise scarce spectrum, the government should exempt cable operators with Internet Service Provider (ISP) license from paying AGR for a minimum period of five years, provided that they operationalise them within six months of obtaining ISP license. According to the broadcaster, this will incentivise cable TV operators to provide broadband services and instantaneously increase wired broadband connectivity from 1.9 crores to around 10 crores.

    Leading ISP Atria Convergence Technologies Ltd also pointed out that there is a huge monopoly in providing cable TV services as the dominant LCO takes over a particular area by tying up with a single MSO and completely stifles the competition by preventing entry of other LCOs and MSOs in the given area.

    “Wired ISPs are seen as a threat by the LCOs and the same usually results in sabotage of network assets of the wired ISPs. If wired ISPs need to actively collaborate with LCOs, then these prevalent practices in cable TV industry should be curtailed and arrangements between ISPs and LCO should be left to market forces,” it added.

  • TRAI report shows healthy growth in DTH subscriber base in Q1 FY21

    TRAI report shows healthy growth in DTH subscriber base in Q1 FY21

    KOLKATA: Witnessing two consecutive quarters of growth, India’s DTH subscriber base grew by 3.2 lakh during the April-June quarter, as per the Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators April-June 2020 by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The sector saw better, albeit marginal growth compared to the January-March quarter.

    Currently, pay DTH subscriber stands at 70.58 million, compared to 70.26 million in the previous quarter.At the end of 2019, pay DTH subscriber base was 69.98 million.

    Tata Sky has retained its leadership position in the segment clocking in a market share of 32.09 per cent . During last four quarters, the DTH operator has gained 7.5 lakh subscribers in line with the growth of the DTH sector. Among other players, the leader is followed by Dish TV India (28.67 per cent), Bharti Telemedia (23.83 per cent), Sun Direct (15.41 per cent)

    “We remain the No. 1 DTH and No.1 Pay TV platform having increased the lead over our nearest competitor. It is heartening to see the overall DTH sector maintain its resilience even in this quarter,” a Tata Sky spokesperson commented.

    While the TRAI report indicates healthy growth of the DTH sector in FY21, a recent Crisil report also said DTH operators have added a significant number of subscribers and could register a 4-6 per cent revenue growth this fiscal. In the last financial year, DTH sector had declined by 2 million.

    A total number of 909 private satellite TV channels have been permitted by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) for uplinking only or downlinking only or both uplinking and downlinking, as on 30 June 2020. There are 332 pay channels, which include 235 SD (standard definition) pay TV channels and 97 HD (high definition) pay TV channels.

    Currently, there are 1666 MSOs registered with MIB. Moreover, there are 12 MSOs and one HITS operator who have subscriber base greater than one million.

    The latest TRAI report has also stated that the total number of internet subscribers increased from 743.19 million at the end of the last quarter of FY20 to 749.07 million at the end of the first quarter of FY21, registering a quarterly growth rate of 0.79 per cent. In addition to that, wired Internet subscribers increased from 22.42 million at the end of Mar-20 to 23.06 million at the end of Jun-20 with quarterly growth rate of 2.86 per cent.

  • MIB amends HITs guidelines focusing on infrastructure sharing

    MIB amends HITs guidelines focusing on infrastructure sharing

    KOLKATA: The ministry of Information & broadcasting (MIB) has amended the policy guidelines for Headend in the Sky (HITS) operators. According to the newly added guidelines, sharing of transport stream between HITS operators and MSOs will be permitted but on certain conditions.

    HITS is a digital distribution platform and provides subscribers with a cheaper  alternative to digital cable TV   (operational expenses of managing multiple head‐ends on the ground are very high)  and DTH.

    As per the new guidelines, a HITS operator willing to share its transport stream with an MSO, should ensure that MSO has a valid written interconnection agreement with the concerned broadcasters for distribution of pay TV channels.

    The ministry has added two new paragraphs to the existing guidelines. As per the MIB the directive, wherever technically feasible, the HITS operator should share the platform infrastructure on a voluntary basis for distribution of TV channels provided that the signals of the HITS provider are distributed to subscribers through cable operator only and the encryption of signals, addressability and liabilities are not compromised.

     For sharing of infrastructure by a HITS operator with an MSO, the operator will be allowed sharing only on Indian controlled satellites. In addition to that, written permission from the department of space (DOS) would be required in this regard. Sharing of  satellite resources and uplinking infrastructure will be allowed with the written permission of MIB and WPC and NOCC, DoT.

    The adherence and compliance with all the provisions of the rules and guidelines issued by MIB and NOCC and WPC, DoT for grant of licence to the HITS operator will be the responsibility of both, the existing operator and the new applicant proposing to share the infrastructure.

    The regulator further added that sharing parties may use common hardware for CAS and SMS. But details of such an arrangement should be intimated to MIB and broadcasters 30 days in advance. However, the respective HITS operator, MSO or cable operator will be accountable for the integrity and security of CAS and SMS data pertaining to the respective operator.

    To avoid any conflict in payment, each operator sharing the stream should be individually responsible for setting up the system and processes. This move will ensure that the broadcasters can exercise right for disconnection in case of default of payment or due to any other reason in terms of interconnection agreements between the broadcaster and the operator as well as the relevant regulations in place.

    “Each operator in the sharing environment should undertake to ensure the encryption of signals and addressability to all the subscribers in all circumstances and provide requisite access for audit or for authorized officers of government wherever demanded,” MIB stated.

  • NXTDigital launches new consumer connect program for Durga Puja

    NXTDigital launches new consumer connect program for Durga Puja

    KOLKATA: As the country gears up to welcome Goddess Durga,  NXTDigital, the media arm of the Hinduja Group, has come up with a new consumer connect program – ‘ NXTDigital DURGOTSAV’. The program has been launched with the goal of spreading the message that though the festivities may be diluted due to the challenges posed by Covid2019, one can still celebrate the homecoming of Maa Durga through the company’s Durga Puja initiative.

    As part of this initiative,  NXTDigital is encouraging consumers to record videos of themselves performing under three categories, namely –  song, dance and recitation and upload the same on durgotsav.nxtdigital.in starting 17 October 2020. Entries will be open till 23 October. This will be further promoted across  NXTDigital's social media channels and website.

    Select participants will get a chance to feature on the television channels of INDigital and  NXTDigital network as a part of this video contest during the 5 days of the festival. Moreover, video entries will be judged and the top three videos in the three categories stand a chance to win attractive gifts by answering a simple question.

    NXTDigital Ltd marketing and brand head Rajdeep Rudra said: “The unprecedented success of a similar initiative Ganpati Bappa Morya to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi earlier this year, spurred us into extending the model to celebrate the festival of Ma Durga. We want to help our customers feel connected to the goddess and commemorate her in the same way as it has been done before, from the comfort of their homes. Through this initiative, our aim is to capture the essence of the festival, promote the feeling of joy and one-ness and spread the message of building a safe environment – even if it is done virtually.”

    Shortlisted videos will also be edited and broadcast on INDigital and NXTDigital (HITS) channels from 22 Oct to 25 Oct i.e. the entire duration of Durga Puja.

  • SPNI goes head to head with Indore-based Digiana Projects on “piracy”

    SPNI goes head to head with Indore-based Digiana Projects on “piracy”

    KOLKATA: The battles in cable TV land continue, what with life gradually coming to the new normal.  Sony Picture Networks India (SPNI) ,for instance, says it is cracking the whip on Indore-based MSO Digiana Projects for allegedly availing signals through clandestine means. SPNI has gone ahead and switched off the transmission of its TV channels to the distributor as it has allegedly not paid its dues, and is pirating its channels. While the broadcaster has filed a contempt petition in the Delhi high court, the MSO has petitioned the Telecom Disputes Settlement &  Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to come to its rescue.

    The court has taken cognisance of piracy and admitted contempt of court case against Digiana along with issuing a notice to submit its response to the said petition. The matter will be listed in the second week of November this year. 

    In its response to TDSAT, SPN has charged that Digiana is continuing piracy even after undertaking before the court that it will not illegally broadcast the network’s signals. The broadcaster stated that it is difficult to deal with such a partner who is choosing unfair means along with withholding a huge amount in arrears – Rs 3.03 crore.

    However, Digiana claimed in its petition that the number is inflated and actually stands at Rs 1.48 crore. TDSAT has not found any good grounds to accept the claim and asked the defaulter to produce further materials and evidence. The next date of hearing is 2 November. In the meantime, the tribunal has directed Digiana to pay Rs 2 crore within ten days of the notice for the restoration of SPNI channels. Apart from payment Rs 2 crore, TDSAT also directed Digiana to clear dues of all forthcoming invoices within a period of 15 days from the receipt of Invoice.

    When indiantelevision.com reached out to the MSO, a senior staff member said that they had requested SPN for a fee waiver due to loss of revenue in Covid2019 crisis. He claimed that instead of waiving fees, the broadcaster hiked its bouquet price, which made the entire situation more difficult for its management. He also added that SPNI did not properly inform the MSO about the disconnection.

    indiantelevision.com tried reaching the CEO of Digiana for comment but he was unavailable at the time of publication.

    This isn't the first time that Digiana is in the dock over illegal transmissions of a broadcaster's signals. Last year, the Madhya Pradesh police registered a case against Digiana Projects after investigations revealed that the MSO had been stealing and broadcasting the signals of Star India at about 26 locations across the country.

    Major broadcasters have frequently complained about unauthorised transmission. Even major MSOs have also raised their voice against illegal theft of signals. A number of complaints before the MIB and TRAI remain unsolved, a senior executive recently said.

    The latest controversy involving SPN and Digiana comes amid an ongoing stand-off between broadcasters and TRAI over the amended new tariff order (NTO 2.0). While the case is sub-judice, the overall instability in the industry due to Covid2019 has precipitated more conflicts regarding signing agreements, timely payments, piracy, etc.

  • TRAI’s Arvind Kumar prescribes broadband medicine for MSOs & LCOs

    TRAI’s Arvind Kumar prescribes broadband medicine for MSOs & LCOs

    KOLKATA: Digital is it. Across the country, and age groups, Indians are getting online, and consuming more high speed broadband data than ever before, whether it is for entertainment, education, commerce or banking. While the telcos have been serving their needs for a large part, the increasing maw for data and speeds has thrown up increasing opportunities for multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs)  even as their video distribution operations are seeing churn.

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) advisor Arvind Kumar spoke about this potential future of MSOs in a virtual fireside chat hosted by Elara Capital. Kumar said that a number of people want broadband services currently and they are looking at fibre-to-home services. According to him, it is not possible for a telecom service provider to satiate the demand of 300 million households even in the next ten years. 

    Read our coverage on TRAI 

    “Therefore MSOs must focus on providing a broadband connection with cable TV services. This is right for them. This makes a very good business case for the MSOs. Neither any TSP will be able to fight with them, nor DTH operators will be able to do so. The MSOs should focus on how to give broadband service at the same time along with cable services to retain subscribers,” Kumar added. He also mentioned that the Covid2019 crisis has proved the demand for broadband connectivity. 

    He is optimistic about the ability of MSOs to stave off the competition from DTH operators despite the latter having a technological edge. Kumar opined that MSOs can compete with DTH operators in terms of the quality of service, cost-effectiveness and broadband services. Considerably, reports came out after the implementation of the new tariff order indicate that MSOs are losing a large number of subscribers to DTH players.

    Read our coverage on MSOs 

    Along with other economic issues, MSOs face the issue of conflict with local cable operators (LCOs) quite often. According to Kumar, the two parties will keep getting at loggerheads with each other until they understand the whole game. He explained the need for LCOs to upgrade their thought process as well as technology. “The LCOs have to support MSOs to stay relevant in the game. Otherwise, both parties will lose their market share to other contenders,” he pointed out.

    Kumar emphasised that LCOs must concentrate on broadband plans and discuss with MSOs. They need to express the longing of coming into the overall picture. He also mentioned that Jio will get support from MSOs if they don’t receive it from the last mile operators. However, he added that LCOs have expertise in dealing with consumers, local authorities which is important to help any broadband operator.

    As per TRAI data, there were 19.38 million wired broadband subscribers in India as of 31 May 2020. The top service providers were BSNL (7.93 million), Bharti Airtel (2.41 million), Atria Convergence Technologies (1.64 million), Hathway Cable & Datacom (0.97 million) and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (0.97 million). 

  • Meghbela Broadband partners with MyBox to bring Android TV experience

    Meghbela Broadband partners with MyBox to bring Android TV experience

    KOLKATA: Meghbela Broadband, one of eastern India’s largest multi system operators (MSOs) and internet service providers (ISPs), has launched Android TV services to its customers through MyBox Android TV box.

    Customers with six-twelve months commitment plans will get an offer on Android Box. The company has also partnered with leading banks to offer zero-interest EMI schemes for its valuable customers.

    Spearheading this movement ahead Meghbela Broadband directors Tapabrata Mukherjee, and Indranil Bhattacharya have taken a step forward to revolutionize the entertainment arena. The directors also mention that apart from business, their paramount concern has been the health and safety of their customers. Hence, an additional health insurance scheme covering Covid2019 is included with the plan.

    Meghbela Broadband has induced technology and entertainment, wherein retail broadband users get much more than a superfast and uninterrupted internet through Android Box which is all set to propel its consumer experience to new heights. The product offering includes the choice of 100 to 150 live TV channels via Meghbela app and other premium OTT apps like Amazon Prime Video, Zee5, Hungama, Addatimes, Hoichoi, BongoTV, Hubhopper, and many more.