ITV

Tag: Suresh Sethiya

  • SitiCable East eyes 2 lakh broadband connections by FY16

    SitiCable East eyes 2 lakh broadband connections by FY16

    KOLKATA: SitiCable East, a cable TV multisystem operator (MSO), which launched ‘SitiBroadband’ two years ago, aims to reach two lakh homes in the eastern region including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam by the end of current fiscal 2015-16. It should be noted that the MSO, at present, provides broadband services to more than 60,000 homes.

     

    Additionally the company will also be looking at creating awareness about its broadband services via a campaign. “We shall inform prospective customers through various activities. We will organize BTL activities and let people know through our distribution network and we shall put up hoardings sooner,” said Siticable Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya.

     

    “We have already invested in broadband. In a digital addressable era, broadband and VAS will become an important differentiated offering. We are upbeat about our penetration and growth in eastern region as our combo pack will be a value addition,” he added.

     

    Last year, when it was launched, the MSO had a cable customer base of around 12.5 lakh in West Bengal. SitiCable was eyeing 10 per cent of the cable connection for SitiBroadband by providing a combo pack and value addition to the customers in the first year.

     

    Sethiya expressed interest in developing it as a second major revenue source as it has more direct control over customers and the company can explain about the service as well.

     

    An Ethernet cable carries the broadband signals between modem, router, computer, and other wired Internet-capable devices. 

     

    Namit Dave a cable analyst said that broadband and value-added services, which suppressed revenue streams so far will get a major boost as the country advances towards the complete era of digitisation of cable TV. The MSOs are rolling out packages on a major scale.

     

    While another analyst said that broadband is a very good business now with less investment and promising higher revenue, SitiCable will thread a new path in a big way.

  • WB govt to work with private cos to remove cable cobwebs from Kolkata skyline

    WB govt to work with private cos to remove cable cobwebs from Kolkata skyline

    KOLKATA: Kolkata skyline is trapped in a web of ever-burgeoning cable lines, which has given the city an ugly, cluttered and grey look. Addressing the issue, West Bengal Housing and Youth Affairs minister Arup Biswas said that the state government was ready to work together with private parties and take up the issue of cable cobwebs.

     

    Biswas further said that cable TV operators should meet with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) authorities and think on ways to beautify the city. He also proposed that if these cables can be made to pass through underground ducts, the city would look clean and the skyline would be clear.

     

    Additionally, Cable TV Equipments Traders & Manufacturers Association (CTMA) has requested the state government if the service tax, which is currently levied at the rate of 12.36 per cent, be reduced, as the players are overburdened with amusement tax apart from service tax.

     

    “Cable wire is a black mark on Kolkata’s beautification drive. The operators should meet KMC officials sooner,” said Biswas, on the sidelines of Cable TV 2015 show in Kolkata.

     

    CTMA has organised a three-day annual satellite and cable television show 2015, starting 18 February at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata.

     

    It should be noted that not only cable operators but private telephone operators and internet service providers (ISP) also contribute to trapping the city’s skyline in the mesh of wires. CTMA executive member Suresh Sethiya said, “We aim to propose to KMC that everyone who is using the pole for wires should pay,” said Sethiya.

     

    Sethiya further said that the KMC can give advertisements and then private players can put the cable wires in tray system and the unidentified ones by any player can be removed by the government authorities after 10 days or so.

     

    It was the entry of cable television in the year 1990 that led to wires being strung on poles. The number of cable subscribers grew and so did wires over pavements. About six – seven years ago, ISPs and private telecom operators joined them, adding to the mess.

     

    On the reduction of service tax proposition, CTMA secretary Kishan Kumar Binani said, “We have requested the government to re-look at the service tax. If they reduce it, it will work in the favour of all the stakeholders associated with cable TV industry.”

  • Kolkata MSOs to meet Star officials on 30 Oct, again

    Kolkata MSOs to meet Star officials on 30 Oct, again

    KOLKATA: The cable TV industry is on its way to some major changes. While the industry got a shock, after Star India decided to provide its channels to multi system operators (MSOs) only on the basis of Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO), the immediate reaction that came was of increased prices of cable TV services.

     

    The decision of Star to provide channels on RIO, led to MSOs in Kolkata requesting for a meeting with the broadcaster in order to re-consider the decision as well as for increasing the time frame for implementation of RIO deals.

     

    The meeting which took place on 28 October saw Star India officials proposing their incentive scheme, which the broadcaster had announced on 27 October, to the platform operators in the state. The incentives, as earlier reported by indiantelevision.com will be based on three criteria: the number of channels the MSO takes, the number of subscribers it distributes the channel to and the ease of access that it provides to the consumers for the Star channels.

     

     “We will decide on Star’s incentive scheme in the next two-three days. We will do all the permutation and combination and then take a call on whether we should go with the incentive scheme or opt for normal RIO,” said Siti Cable Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya.

     

    The city based MSOs, who do not want to lose their subscriber base, are currently working on the various modules of the proposed incentive and will meet the Star officials again on 30 October, after thoroughly reading the new scheme internally.  

     

    Sethiya further said, “Star has a bouquet of channels and if a cable TV home in Kolkata, does not wish to watch Marathi channels, he may not pay for it. We are working on the price.”

     

    Another city-based MSO on condition of anonymity said that Star has offered an incentive of around 60 per cent for its Hindi GEC Life OK, 9 per cent for Star Plus and 15 per cent for Star Jhalsa.

     

    Star Network comprising Star Plus, Life OK, Star Jhalsa, Star Movies, Star Sports, National Geographic among others, could lose its viewers in Kolkata, if the MSOs fail to offer the channels at an attractive price. “The ground is not prepared for RIO rates. We will negotiate with Star on 30 October again,” said the MSO.

     

    A local cable operator said that the customers are worried as they will have to pay a hefty price for cable TV services again in a short span of 10 months.

     

    If the MSOs do not agree to the incentives being given by Star, based on the three conditions, the consumer could have to shell anywhere between Rs 35-40 for two Star channels, a source said adding that if the consumer wants more of the broadcasters’ channels they will definitely have to pay more.

     

    With most MSOs removing the Star channels from the different packages and providing the same on a-la-carte, the prices of the package will go down by Rs 9, Rs 12 and Rs18 respectively for their different packages.

  • Kolkata MSOs to meet Star to resolve RIO rates issue on 28 October

    Kolkata MSOs to meet Star to resolve RIO rates issue on 28 October

    KOLKATA: Multi system operators (MSOs) in Kolkata are likely to meet Star India representatives on 28 October to discuss the issue of RIO rates as per the outcome of the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal’s (TDSAT) order of putting Star India channels on a la carte.

     

    On one hand, the package prices will go down by Rs 9, Rs 12 and Rs 16 respectively for different packages but cable TV consumers will have to spend an additional amount for watching their favourite Star channels if the MSOs put Star India channels on a la carte.

     

    Siti Cable Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya says, “We are meeting Star India officials on 28 October to find a solution. The rates should be fashioned in such a way that the broadcaster does not lose revenue and at the same time, consumers do not have to shell out huge amounts to watch cable TV.”

     

    Star Network comprising Star Plus, Star Jalsha, Star Movies, Star Sports, National Geographic and other channels, are likely to lose viewers if the MSOs remove the bouquet of Star channels from the packages and offer to subscribers on a-la-carte basis only, cable TV analysts claim.

     

    Initially, almost all the MSOs in Kolkata had agreed to remove the channels on the Star Network from basic, smart and premium packages and had issued advertisements across major newspapers notifying consumers about the same. “The ground is not prepared for RIO rates. If Star India comes on a negotiation, it is good for the industry,” says Advance Multisystem Broadband Communication (AMBC) managing director Sujit Das.

     

    While Manthan Broadband director Sudip Ghosh hopes that the negotiations between MSOs and Star Network would bear fruit.

     

    Though Star India had mailed the change to MSOs on 30 September, MSOs have cited the festive season for delay in implementing it.

     

    A source says, “Star Jalsha that currently reaches 100 per cent households here may lose around 40 per cent subscribers in a la carte as more than 50 per cent non-Bengali population in Kolkata would opt out.”

  • Siticable Kolkata to launch ‘SitiBroadband’

    Siticable Kolkata to launch ‘SitiBroadband’

    KOLKATA: The average revenue per user (ARPU) of cable operators can go up only with introduction of additional services. This has been stated enough and more time for the multi system operators to take note of and move in the direction.

     

    One such MSO is Siticable Network that has decided to strengthen its broadband and value added services (VAS) offering to its consumers. The network will soon launch ‘SitiBroadband’ service in West Bengal.  

     

    Siticable currently has a cable customer base of around 12.5 lakh in the state. The MSO hopes to convert at least 10 per cent of this consumer base to ‘SitiBroadband’ service users. And to woo these consumers, Siticable will provide a combo pack and a value addition pack in the first year of the launch of the service.

     

    “We have already invested in broadband. We are working on the price and package modality. In a digital addressable era, broadband and VAS will become an important differentiated offering,” says Siticable Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya.

     

    “We are upbeat about our penetration and growth in West Bengal as our combo pack will be a value addition,” he adds.

     

    Sethiya is enthusiastic about the new offering and hopes to develop it as a second major revenue source after it moved into the new digital regime where it has more direct control over the last mile customer. “We can now explain the consumers about the new service easily,” he opines.

     

    Kolkata based cable TV analyst Namit Dave feels that broadband and value-added services will get a major boost as the country advances towards the completion of digitisation. “MSOs will roll out different packages on a vast scale going forward,” says he.

     

    For another city based analyst broadband is a promising business. “It needs less investment while promising higher revenue, Siticable is set for a new high,” he says optimistically. 

     

    As reported earlier by indiantelevision.com, Siticable, as part of enhancing its VAS offering to consumers, is also exploring opportunities to release regional movies on cable TV before they are released in the theatres to generate more revenue.

     

    Sethiya confirms that they are in talks with producers for premiere shows of regional movies on its cable channel as part of value added services. “These services can be implemented once the billing process is properly executed, which could take around six months to complete,” signs off Sethiya.

  • Cable bills in Kolkata to see a 15 per cent hike from 1 August

    Cable bills in Kolkata to see a 15 per cent hike from 1 August

    KOLKATA: Cable TV viewers in the Kolkata Municipal Area (KMA) will have to face another price hike in their cable TV bills, starting 1 August. This, after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) hiked the tariff ceiling by 15 per cent for broadcasters.

     

    While consumers in the region have still been coping with the price hike after TRAI made gross billing mandatory, multi system operators (MSOs) are now all set to increase the channel package rates by 15 per cent.  

     

    That apart, more than 31 lakh cable TV homes in Kolkata may witness both channel addition and deletion. A few favourite channels can also be included in the new package with additional charges. However, MSOs have assured that the rentals for the Janata Pack will remain unchanged.

     

    Most MSOs linked the price rise to the TRAI regulation on tariff hike.

     

    Siticable Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya said, “After the price defreeze proposed by the regulator, that is 15 per cent, April onward, when MSOs now sit with broadcasters for renewal of channel contracts, they will have to shell out more money compared to the previous contracts. We can’t take the pinch on ourselves as we don’t have enough resource to fall back upon. Therefore cable rents are bound to go up in the range of 15-20 per cent from 1 August.”
     

    “We have no other option but to increase the channel package rates as the broadcasters have started bargaining a lot,” said a small MSO operating in Kolkata.  

     

    An official from KCBPL-GTPL, referring to the directive of Train on Subscriber Management System (SMS) and online up gradation said, “We are bound to increase the price as we have to show the bill and pay tax on that. Secondly, to follow the new bill delivery system of TRAI, we will incur additional costs in terms of software development and manpower.”

     

    Since DAS has yet not been implemented on ground in any area, subscribers are suffering. “LCOs have started taking full package charge from subscribers in the name of TRAI. But, sadly the same is not being passed on to us. While the LCOs are making good profit and broadcasters are earning more and more, MSOs are still suffering from the financial crunch. In the past few months, our financial health has gone from bad to worse. Questions are now being raised on our existence in the future,” concluded another MSO operating in the region.

  • After Manthan, SitiCable tries to poach DTH customers

    After Manthan, SitiCable tries to poach DTH customers

    KOLKATA: Sometime back, city-headquartered Manthan Broadband Services announced a scheme to poach Dish TV customers after the DTH provider created sub-brand ‘Zing’ to offer STBs free of cost and target regional markets.

     

    Now, SitiCable Network is all set to follow in Manthan’s footsteps with an exchange scheme for DTH customers so they can opt for SitiCable services without having to pay anything for STBs as well as their installation in DAS I and II areas.

     

    According to Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya, the scheme called ‘Value for Money’ will be launched next month. Sethiya further informed that SitiCable is aiming to install another 3 lakh STBs in West Bengal by the end of April. “Customers choosing SitiCable services instead of their DTH service providers will also have the option of going for channel packages that regular customers get and this is a value for money proposition for them,” he added.

     

    How will SitiCable gain through the scheme? “Well, the scheme is to increase our market presence and not to increase our topline or bottomline. We want to be market leaders. And once we are able to convert DTH customers to our customers, we will think of monetizing it,” answered Sethiya.

     

    On the installation of an additional 3 lakh STBs, he said that the company was eager to increase its penetration in the state as cable TV digitisation was in full swing across the eastern region. “We would always try to retain its number one position here,” he said. “We are upbeat about our penetration and growth in West Bengal. In North Bengal too, we are looking at some acquisition and forming a joint venture with local partners.”

     

    While West Bengal is one of the most important markets for SitiCable in the eastern region, the company also has a good presence in Patna, Odisha and Jharkhand. A cable analyst said on the condition of anonymity, “The eastern region accounts for around 40 per cent of the revenue to SitiCable and is one of the most important markets for the company.”

     

    The company is also present in six out of the seven north-eastern states. Commenting on Manthan’s scheme and now SitiCable, the cable analyst said, “In the coming months, we expect more such announcements by players of different categories to poach each others’ business and clients.”