Videocon brings 1p/sec ISD calls

CHENNAI, Aug 31: While mobile service providers were following Tata-DoCoMo in 1 paisa per second tariff, latest entrant Videocon has pulled one over the rest in the tariff game.

Videocon Mobile Services on Tuesday announced that one paisa per second billing for ISD calls, making them at par with the local calls.

The company introduced a one-paisa-per-second calling voucher for US and Canada priced at Rs 57 with 30 days validity. In another scheme, customers can make calls to Singapore and Malaysia for Rs 1.69 per minute; and to the US and Canada for 99 paisa / minute with a Rs 22 calling voucher.

Nokia to set up server in India; may put pressure on BlackBerry

NEW DELHI, Aug 30: Amid security concerns raised by the government over encrypted data travelling through mobiles, handset maker Nokia, which offers push-mail services today said it will set up required infrastructure by November to help the government monitor the contents.

The decision of the Finnish firm may put more pressure on Research In Motion (RIM), which offers BlackBerry services, to give security agencies more access to its encrypted messenger and BlackBerry Enterprise Service (BES).

The similar kind of services offered by BlackBerry recently came under the security scanner, as the government failed to intercept and monitor the data travelling through the BlackBerry devices.

"Currently the Nokia Messaging Service is in beta format. We have been working towards installing the requisite infrastructure in the country and will set up servers for our push email service by November 2010," Nokia India Managing Director D Shivakumar said.

Push email uses a mail delivery system with real-time capability to "push" email to clients as soon as it arrives. Nokia Messaging is a push e-mail service, which was launched in 2009.

The Nokia Messaging servers aggregate messages from upto ten accounts and pushes them to compliant devices. BES also works similarly, as it monitors the e-mail servers, and when it sees new e-mail for a BlackBerry user, it retrieves a copy and then pushes it to the BlackBerry device. The Indian government has been demanding greater access to mobile and online communications on the back of national security concerns.

"We are launching the server on November 5 in compliance with all the rules and regulation in the country...It is for hosting mail and ensuring that the government has access (to the data)," Shivakumar told reporters here.

Blackberry gives in, agrees to monitoring of its services

NEW DELHI, Aug 30: BlackBerry mobile phone maker Research In Motion (RIM) on Monday gave in promising access to Indian security agencies to monitor all its services with immediate effect.

Nearly two months after insisting that it does not have the provision to grant access for such monitoring, RIM made certain proposals for lawful access of BlackBerry Enterprise Services (BES) and BlackBerry Messenger Services (BBM) by the law enforcement agencies.

RIM's response came after the Home Ministry made it clear that Blackberry has to shut down its operations in the country from 1st September if it failed to provide access to monitoring of its messenger services.

"RIM has made certain proposals for lawful access by law enforcement agencies and this would be operationalised immediately. The feasibility of the solutions offered would be assessed thereafter," a Home Ministry statement said.

The Ministry has made it clear that any communication through the telecom networks should be accessible to the law enforcement agencies and all telecom service providers including third-parties have to comply with this, it said.

Nokia launches dual-SIM phones

NEW DELHI, Aug 30: Forced by the runaway success of domestic players offering features-rich dual-SIM mobile phones in the sub-Rs 5,000 category, market leader Nokia finally launched two dual-SIM phones in India on Monday.

Interestingly, Nokia C1 (C1-00) and Nokia C2 (C2-00) are the first dual-SIM mobile phones from the Finnish telecom giant.

The market share of the company - already struggling in the high-end smartphone market to match the successes of RIM, Apple and Google Android-based phones - has been battered in India in the past two years.

According to IDC research, Nokia's market share dipped from 64% in 2008-09 to 52.2% in 2009-10. The company's revenue too fell from Rs16,567 crore to Rs14,100 crore during the same period.

Nokia C1 is a basic phone meant for voice and SMS and will be available at Rs 1999. It comes with a standby battery time of up to six weeks, the longest ever for a Nokia phone.

It will also have a 'call divert' feature that will ensure users don't miss a call from either of the two SIMs. Moreover, by simply holding down a key, a user will be able to switch between the two SIM cards in the phone. The colour screen phone has a flashlight and FM radio with standard headphone jack.

Nokia C2 will be priced around Rs 2500 and comes with services such as Ovi Life Tools and Ovi Mail. It also has a music player and supports micro-SD cards of up to 32 GB.

Nokia's Ovi Life Tools provides users a range of information covering healthcare, agriculture, education and entertainment.

The company launched 22 devices during fiscal year 2009-10. Forty-five percent of Nokia's 2 lakh retail outlets are in the rural areas.

Unveiling the new devices, Mary McDowell, Executive Vice President, Mobile Phones, Nokia said,

"As per our deep consumer insights, entry level consumers need dual SIMs for various reasons including economizing time and costs, improving efficiency and for increased convenience. To address these consumer requirements, Nokia has launched these two devices that offer multiple SIM capabilities with a balanced feature set and 'relevant innovations' at affordable price points."

It is surprising that Nokia figured out the needs and preferences of the Indian customers so late, feel some experts. However, at these prices, Nokia's new handsets can pose a stiff challenge to the domestic players such as Micromax, Spice, Lava, Lemon, Videocon, Intex and others.

Indian Govt rejects BlackBerry offer

NEW DELHI, Aug 23: Toughening its stand, the government has conveyed to the BlackBerry makers to install its server in India for tracking its messenger and enterprise mail service as the offer made by it to provide data from its Canada-based server could be detrimental to national security.

Officials of BlackBerry maker RIM (Research In Motion) had offered to provide information on a deferred basis after it faced the threat of a shutdown of the core features by August 31 if security agencies cannot gain access to heavily encrypted corporate email sent on a Blackberry handset.

The RIM had provided an option to the security agencies and officials of the Home Ministry that they could hand over the details of BlackBerry phones needed to be monitored and the firm in turn will decrypt the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and BlackBerry Enterprise mail Service (BES) of the smartphones in question, sources in the Telecom Ministry said.

The RIM officials were ready to provide the information initially manually and later through a non-human interface using the "cloud computing environment" method under which a separate wall created in the server and code and pass-code is handed over to the overall coordinator, in this case India, the sources said.

However, the proposal was rejected prima facie as security agencies claimed that handing over telephone numbers for monitoring was fraught with the danger of exposing the source to an outside company and thus can be detrimental to country's security, the sources said.

Even the automated system of extracting information from Canada-based server was not free of danger because the information could be hacked midway, the sources said.

Idea gives 3,640 connections to one person!

NEW DELHI, Aug 5: In a major breach of licence terms and conditions, Birla group firm Idea Cellular has issued a whopping 3,640 connections to a single person and his company, endangering national security, Parliament was informed on Thursday.

"Yes, Idea Cellular had issued 3,640 post-paid connections to a single person and his company, Limco Sales Corporation of Delhi and as per the report of the Department of Telecom, the bulk connections have been rented out to other customers," Minister of State for Telecom and IT Sachin Pilot said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

He said the Home Ministry has intimated that security agencies face problems in establishing identity of actual users in cases where bulk connections have been activated in the name of a single user/location/organisation, and the numbers have been further distributed/rented for use.

To a query whether this endangers national security, Pilot said "this practice of providing mobile connections to an individual without maintaining his identity particulars has security implications and operational activities of security agencies are hampered due to non-availability of identity of a particular suspected target."

Idea Cellular has over 68 million mobile subscribers and has operations in most of the circles across the country. Pilot said the licence conditions provide that "utmost vigilance should be exercised in providing bulk telephone connections for a single user as well as for a single location."

Provision of 10 or more connections may be taken as bulk for this purpose, he said.

"Special verification of bonafide should be carried out for providing such bulk connections. Information about bulk connections shall be forwarded to respective Vigilance Telecom Monitoring cell of DoT and concerned officials authorised by DoT and security agencies from time to time on monthly basis," he said.

Sunset date for analogue TV should be 31st Dec, 2013: TRAI

NEW DELHI, Aug 5: Arguing that digital TV will enable people to watch high-quality channels of their choice, the TRAI on Thursday recommended phasing out analogue television in the four Metros by March 31 next year and in the rest of the country by 31st December, 2013.

In its recommendations on implementation of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems in India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said the sunset date for analogue TV services in the country should be 31st December, 2013.

The implementation should be carried out in four phases.

In phase I, it should be implemented in four Metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai by 31st March, 2011.

In Phase II, it should be implemented in all cities having a population over one million by 31st December, 2011, while in Phase III, it would be implemented in all other urban areas (municipal corporations/municipalities) across the county by 31st December, 2012.

Phase IV would include all areas which are left over where it should be implemented by 31st December, 2013.

The TRAI said the digital addressable systems will enable consumers to watch high-quality digital television channels of their choice on 'a-la-carte' (individual) basis.

Also, digital systems have the capacity to deliver many more channels to the consumers than analogue cable.

In fact, the capacity crunch and the non-addressable nature of analogue cable TV systems is coming in the way of orderly growth of the cable TV sector in India, it said.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had sought TRAI recommendations on digital addressable systems on 2nd June.

Acting CMD for BSNL appointed

NEW DELHI, Aug 3: Gopal Das was on Tuesday appointed acting Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL). He succeeds Kuldeep Goyal who retired on July 31.

Mr. Das, who was till now serving as Director (Human Resources Development) in BSNL, will hold the position till the new CMD is appointed by the Centre-nominated high-level search panel.

Offer of 'Do call Registry'

NEW DELHI, Aug 2: TRAI has initiated public consultation process on “Review of telecom Unsolicited Commercial Communications," according to Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Sachin Pilot.

A consultation paper was issued on May 11, 2010. Do Call registry is one of the options being considered for consultation, said the Minister in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

The comments were received from various stakeholders. The last date for receiving comments was July 30.

S M Khan new DG of Film Festival Directorate, Mohanty AIR DG

NEW DELHI, July 30: Former spokesperson of Rashtrapati Bhavan and CBI S M Khan has been promoted as Director General of Film Festival and Girdhar Mohanty was appointed Director General of AIR news.

In a reshuffle of senior Indian Information Service officials, Khan, a 1982 batch officer, was promoted to the rank of Director General and would be holding the post at the Directorate of Film Festival.

Khan had become the public face of CBI at a time when several high profile cases, including stock scam, Rajiv Gandhi assassination and Purlia Arms drop case were being probed by the agency. He later moved to Rashtrapati Bhavan and served as Press Secretary to former President A P J Abdul Kalam.

Mohanty, a 1982 batch IIS officer, was appointed as Director General of All India Radio's news. He was earlier serving as Director of Registrar of Newspaper of India. He too had served as spokesperson of CBI for six years.

Not enough evidence on risk of radiation from Mobile Phones

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, July 30: There are no conclusive data available so far on harmful effects radiation emitted by mobile towers. The review of literature does not establish conclusive evidence on the safety or risk of radio frequency radiation (RFR) but growing body of scientific evidences indicate towards the bio-effects and adverse health effects of RFR which may be possible.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had constituted a Committee in 2006 to examine the issue of health hazard due to radiations from mobile phone base stations. The Committee opined that overall there is not enough evidence to show direct health hazard or radio frequency exposure from mobile base stations.

Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh has studied the side effects of use of mobile phone and not other appliances and found that long term and intensive use of mobile phone may cause inner ear damage. The Committee of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare constituted in 2006 recommended that a precautionary approach should be adopted till further research data is available.

The Telecom Commission has approved adoption of the guidelines of the International Commission on Non lonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for limiting Electro magnetic field exposure.

This information was given by Minister of State for for Health and Family Welfare Shri S. Gandhiselvan in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha today.

BlackBerry should comply with security rules or shut shop: Govt

NEW DELHI, July 28: Spelling trouble for over a million users of Blackberry in India, Government has warned the Canadian service provider that if it does not allow facility to monitor emails and SMSes to address security concerns, it will have to close down operations in the country.

The government has said that the makers of BlackBerry - Research in Motion (RIM) - have to address its security concerns by offering the monitoring facility.

"If they don't follow our guidelines, we will have no option but to ask them to stop their operations in India," a senior official said.

The smartphone is used by over a million customers in India.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the Department of Telecommunication to tell the popular smartphone company in no uncertain terms that its emails and other data services must comply with formats that can be monitored by security and intelligence agencies.

The MHA made it clear that RIM has been addressing security concerns of several other countries, including the United States, where it operates and therefore, there is no justification to not comply the same in India.

Government also wants a blackberry server in India but the company has been resisting the move. Once the server is in India, it will be easy to track the messages.

BlackBerry says the messages are encrypted.

The smartphone's server is based in Canada where the encryption level is very high and extremely difficult to crack. And any message going through a Canada server is encrypted and therefore cannot be accessed by intelligence agencies in India.

There are reports that China has got a similar server in the country.

Senior officials of key security agencies at a recent meeting argued that the continuation of BlackBerry services in the present format poses danger to the country.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the MHA, DoT, intelligence agencies and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO).

The latest development indicates that security agencies are again finding it difficult to intercept or decipher messages sent through these phones, which use codes with an encryption of 256 bits.

This encryption code first scrambles the emails sent from a BlackBerry device and unscrambles it when the message reaches its target.

Leading telecom companies in India such as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar, Reliance Communications, Tata Teleservices, BSNL and MTNL offer BlackBerry services.

Videocon launches slew of handsets

MUMBAI, July 28: Videocon has launched new handsets thus extending its range from the current 20 to 25. ‘Qruz V1425’ is a 100 W PMPO Music Output phone with really large speakers, while ‘V1430’ is the Long Battery phone with 1800 mAH battery, and ‘V1424’, has stylish looks and is an absolute entertainer with Gun Metal Lining.

Mr. Anil Khera, CEO, Videocon Mobile said, “We are happy with the encouraging response from the market, and are keen to enhance our penetration across markets with our offerings. We are targeting customers looking for basic characteristics like Connectivity, Camera, Music, Memory, Large screen etc, coupled with Voice, Text and Internet solutions as part of their lives. Our objective is to emerge amongst the leading players based on our range and offerings”

Mr. Rahul Goel, COO, Videocon Mobile, said, “Features and functionality desired by customers are our key targets. Long battery life; Music device; and Stylish looks are steps in this direction. With multiple solutions for interconnected life, we are providing customers with device that helps them manage their tasks easily.”

Videocon is emphasizing on its distribution channels to make these handsets available to its consumers for a value for money proposition. Videocon has a very efficient & friendly after sales service. The call centre and 350 plus authorised service centres are readily available for the consumers for any queries, issues and support
‘Qruz V1425’ is the first release in the 100W PMPO Music Output series of incredibly loud Music Phones.

‘Qruz V1425’ with 100W PMPO Music Output is a first of its kind and is targeted towards the consumer who wants to enjoy incredibly loud music of his choice. This stylized dual SIM phone has extra large boom speaker with back cover Mesh Grill, VGA Camera, Bluetooth, long 1200 mAH battery, MP3 player, high resolution 2’’ TFT screen, expandable memory up to 4GB, 1000 Phonebook/500 SMS memory along LED torch with Mobile Tracker.

‘V1430’, with the 1800 mAH battery, has long battery life as a key proposition. This dual SIM phone has a VGA Camera with Video Recorder, 1800 mAH battery (up to 600minutes talk/20days standby time), 1.8” TFT screen, MP3 player with dedicated key, Bluetooth and expandable memory up to 4GB.

Completing the range is the Snazzy and Smart V1424, a good looking device with Gun Metal Linings. This absolute entertainer is a Dual SIM phone with VGA Camera, MP3 Player, expandable memory up to 2GB, 2” TFT screen, Bluetooth and Mobile Tracker.

Mr. Goel added: “Other than urban-semi urban, the rural market is expanding rapidly. Our objective is to be a one stop shop for the customer, and cater to each and every class and age. Mobile penetration in interiors is increasing at very rapid rate but electricity is still a major challenge, hence we came up with this mobile which caters to their needs at value for money pricing. Long battery is always beneficial for metro as well as non metro lifestyles with all the important features of the phone”.

Videocon Mobile Phones was awarded the Product of the Year 2010 in the ‘Value Phones’ category for their V1405. Product of the Year is an internationally recognized standard that celebrates and rewards the best innovations in consumer products. Thousands and thousands of discerning consumers across India evaluate the innovations and choose only the best as their Product of the Year.

With the unveiling of Videocon’s new brand identity, the brand is increasingly seen as transformational, empowering, energetic, youthful and friendly. Videocon’s new logo, the fluid “V”, coupled with a new proposition – Experience Change -- is a fresh new identity for a group that has been named among India’s top brands. It reflects Videocon’s renewed focus on moving quickly from static to energetic.

The brand campaign for Videocon Mobile Phones says, “V is the New Me”. This brand campaign is a metaphor for the restless nature of youth – change becoming the only constant. Mobile phone today is a part of one's inherent self and slowly it is becoming a complete world in itself.

Videocon Group’s success has been built on various pillars, an important one being the strong relationship the group has built, over the years, with its massive base of trade and channel partners. Videocon has also made strong inroads into a third of the market through a multi-brand strategy that covers consumers of all socio-economic backgrounds. It now has almost 85% penetration in shelf space.

Videocon d2h fall victim to fake websites

By Deepak Arora

MUMBAI, July 7: Videocon d2h, the Direct-to-Home service provider has lodged a complaint with the Mumbai Cyber Cell Police Station, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai requesting them to block certain fake websites which are using the Videocon d2h brand name to cheat the public and malign their brand name.

Mr. Anil Khera, CEO, Bharat Business Channel Ltd. (BBCL) said “Our official website is “www.videocond2h.com” and the same is being used in all our customer communications with regard to our DTH services. Some anti social elements have deliberately and with an intention to cause wrongful business loss and with a view to malign our brand image has created fake websites having deceptively similar names.”

The fake websites which have been created are:
www.d2hvideocon.com
www.d2hadvertising.com
www.videocond2hdish.com

Consumers have reported that they have received SMS on their mobile asking them to log on to these websites wherein they are illegally & wrongfully prompted to provide their Mobile No. Once the number is given, the next page opens with an icon of ‘Next’ prompting the customer to press the said icon. Thereafter, on the third page, a fake authorization letter opens and informs the customers that they have won a free Videocon d2h product with free package subscription of duration ranging from 2 years to lifetime. The fake authorization letter further asks the customer to deposit an amount towards customer service tax in an account with a bank for which the details are provided and to fax the deposit slip to a specified number.

“We have, through the Cyber Cell Police Station also requested the State Bank of India, Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, Axis Bank and other financial institutions to issue necessary directions so that the operation of the fake accounts can be stopped and money deposited by the public goes back to them. These fake websites are causing damage to us and financial loss to the public at large” added Mr. Anil Khera.

Videocon d2h has taken immediate & necessary steps to prevent the general public from falling into the hands of such fake and illegal websites and endeavors to create awareness on the increasing number of frauds in the industry as well. Most of these websites have already been blocked and action is being taken against the concerned.

Mr. Khera concluded, “We request the consumers to ignore any such sms that they receive asking them to deposit money in advance. Public interest is paramount to us and we are taking all steps to protect that”

Enjoy free Facebook access on Airtel

NEW DELHI, July 6: The largest cellular service provider in India, Bharti Airtel with more than 130 million subscriptions is now offering free access to online social networking site Facebook.

Airtel has entered into a partnership with Facebook to enable its 130 million subscribers to log on to Facebook's full mobile site at no data cost through their mobile.

"Now Airtel Customers will be able to access the Facebook's full mobile site more faster and by this offer we are providing our customers the best value for money services that enable their lifestyles," said Bharti Airtel CMO (Mobile Services) Shireesh Joshi.

“Our mobile customers will also be the first in the world to enjoy Facebook in five different vernacular languages," added Shireesh Joshi.

Apart from English and Hindi, the face book site is also available in five other Indian languages like Punjabi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.

However this offer will be available only for two months till August 31.

In order to take the advantage of this offer Airtel customers can SMS ‘FACEBOOK’ to 54321.

TRAI suggests 74 % FDI limit for broadcast carriage services

NEW DELHI, June 30: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday recommended that the foreign investment limit for broadcast carriage services such as DTH, IPTV, Mobile TV, HITS, Teleport and MSOs, which are upgrading to digital and addressable environment, may be raised to 74 per cent. The existing limit for most of these services is 49 per cent.

It also said the foreign investment limit for local cable operators, news and current affairs TV channels and FM radio be fixed at 26 per cent, while there should be no restriction on FDI for uplinking and downlinking of TV channels other than news and current affairs TV channels.

TRAI also recommended that all foreign investment less than 26 per cent would be through the automatic route, while investments of 26 per cent and above will require prior approval of the government.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had requested TRAI to review its recommendations dated April 26, 2008, on foreign investment in the broadcasting sector in the light of recent changes in FDI policy. The Consolidated FDI Policy dated March 31, 2010, issued by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has come into effect since April 1, 2010. This policy has modified the methodology of calculation of foreign investment in Indian companies.

Oriya channel 'Tarang' now on Videocon d2h platform

By Deepak Arora

BHUVNESHWAR, June 18: Videocon d2h, the Direct-to-Home service provider became the first DTH company to introduce Orissa’s number 1 Oriya GEC channel “Tarang” on their platform. Now viewers in Orissa can enjoy their favourite programmes on Tarang channel in all the base packs of Videocon d2h.

Mr.Anil Khera, CEO, Bharat Business Channel Ltd. (BBCL) said: "We take enormous pride in being the first & only DTH player to launch Orissa’s number 1 Oriya GEC channel 'Tarang' on our d2h platform. We at Videocon d2h believe in constantly innovating & providing the viewers exactly what they require."

Tarang has captured the hearts of viewers with its daily soaps, comedy shows, mythological series and other regional entertainment content. Besides Tarang, Videocon d2h also provides viewers Oriya channels like ETV Oriya, DD Oriya, Naxatra News, OTV, along with more than 250 channels & services.

DishTv ropes in Ericsson to provide better service

NEW DELHI, June 16: DishTv, India's largest direct-to-home (DTH) television provider, Wednesday roped in Ericsson to improve its satellite bandwidth efficiency, increase channel capacity and offer more choice to subscribers.

"Ericsson's solution will help us to roll out several more channels to our subscribers and to give us capacity to offer new HD (high definition) services," said Rajiv Khattar, president projects, DishTv.

DishTv selected Ericsson's high performance EN8100 MPEG-2 and EN8190 MPEG-4 AVC encoders, which are known for delivering greater performance and enhancing consumer experience.

"The EN8100 offers leading levels of performance that enable operators to maximize bandwidth utilization without the need for new customer equipment.

This improvement in service, with zero disruption to the subscriber, reduces churn and attracts new customers," said Eric Baron, head of compression, solution area TV, Ericsson.

DTH gears up for HD price war

MUMBAI, June 14: India's direct-to-home (DTH) operators are gearing up for a cut-throat price war on the High Definition (HD) front, a service aimed at tapping top-end customers in an industry that is plagued by low ARPUs (average revenue per user).

Tata Sky, the joint venture between the Tata Group and Star, has set the ball rolling with the launch of its High Definition (HD) service at a price of Rs 2,599, the most aggressive in the DTH sector.

While Sun Direct is offering the HD set-top-box bundled with subscription package at Rs 10,000, Big TV's service comes at Rs 7,490 (HD with DVR technology) and Dish TV's at Rs 5,990.

Says Tata Sky MD and CEO Vikram Kaushik, “We were the first to break the Rs 100 price barrier, first to launch a host of customised innovative interactive service, first to launch India’s PVR and now, Tata Sky HD at an unimaginable affordable price point. Nowhere in the world has HD technology been offered at such great value by any DTH operator. Our aim is to make Tata Sky HD part of a colossal number of Indian households across the country.”

The price point will open up the market, limited at this stage by both the high cost of the HD box and the content.

Says Big TV CEO Sanjay Behl, "Though it is just the basic HD box, Tata Sky's aggressiveness is a welcome move as the market will expand. There aren't many channels available now on HD. But with a pressure on the pricing of the HD box, channels will see a potential to take this route. We, of course, are targeting the upper end of the customers at this stage as we offer HD with DVR technology."

Tata Sky's HD offering will include two channels - National Geographic HD and Discovery HD. "We expect more channels like Star Plus, Star Movies HD and popular sports channels to take to the HD format," says Tata Sky CMO Vikram Mehra.

Tata Sky's immediate endeavour is to get ESPN, the official broadcaster of the football World Cup. The DTH operator had moved the Delhi High Court but its plea was turned down. Now that it has launched its HD service, negotiations are expected to start.

"We have given our HD feed only to Dish TV for the Fifa World Cup. We are in negotiations with the other DTH service providers," says ESPN spokesperson.

In addition to lowering the entry price, Tata Sky is also lining up movies on demand that it would showcase on HD format. As part of this gameplan, Tata Sky has bought the rights of Hritik Roshan- Barbara Mori starrer Kites which will be shown exclusively on Tata Sky HD.

Says Mehra, “Our objective was to launch the service in a really mass and affordable way. We are going to break open the market with the aggressive pricing.”

Dish TV, however, does not feel that the price war has started and customers have to be cautious of hidden costs. "We are not revising our rates for HD," says Dish TV chief operating officer Salil Kapoor.

On the content front, however, it is Sun Direct which has the most expansive offering - six channels (Colors, National Geographic, Discovery HD World, Sun TV, two regional movie channels) and an event channel.

So how does Tata Sky plan to push its HD service? During the launch phase, all existing Tata Sky subscribers can upgrade to Tata Sky HD and avail the HD Gold Pack for an entire year, absolutely free. New Tata Sky HD subscribers would be offered the HD Gold pack free for the first two months.

For the HD content, Tata Sky is going to charge an extra Rs 30 per month as subscription fee.

“The DTH model in India is that of subsidising of the boxes and retaining the customers. We are not charging exorbitant amount from our subscribers to view the HD quality content. We are also in talks with content providers and very soon they will offer more HD content,” avers Mehra.

Tata Sky HD will be made available across the country in all leading consumer electronic outlets. The service will support the 1080i picture quality, 16:9 aspect ratio and 5.1 surround sound.

Mehra claims 10 per cent of Tata Sky's new subscribers opt for the PVR service and hopes the response to be even better for HD. “We were first in India to launch PVR service and the box comes for Rs 6,000. Still, over 10 per cent of new subscribers buy that. With this kind of aggressive pricing and upcoming Commonwealth Games, which will be aired in HD, there should be better response,” Mehra affirms.

Videocon d2h announces Golden Goal Offer during the FIFA World Cup

By Deepak Arora

MUMBAI, June 11: Videocon d2h, the Direct-to-Home service provider, the first & only company to offer a range of Satellite products, has announced a unique Golden Goal offer during the FIFA World Cup commencing from June 11 till July 11.

Under this Golden Pack Offer, on the purchase of every Videocon d2h Satellite Box & Satellite DVD during the offer period, customers would get 4 months Gold Sports Pack free. The Gold Sports Pack offers the maximum number of sports channels including ESPN and Star Sports and will make the football viewing experience special for customers during the World Cup.

On this occasion Mr. Anil Khera, CEO, Bharat Business Channel Ltd. (Videocon d2h) said: “DTH has revolutionized the TV viewing experience in India by spearheading the introduction of innovative services. We at Videocon d2h constantly evaluate and update our features while also making available various promotions & offers. Our viewers are of utmost importance to us and to add spice to the biggest Football Extravaganza, we have launched a Golden Goal Offer that would be beneficial to our consumers.”

Active Music Space from Videocon d2h – a first for the Indian DTH Industry

Videocon d2h airing 20 Audio Channels, 2 video Music Channels 24 hrs

By Deepak Arora

MUMBAI, June 4: Videocon d2h, the Direct-to-Home service provider, the first & only company to offer a range of Satellite products, is now ready to give its customers a unique Music experience by launching Active music Space 24 hrs where it will have exclusive 2 audio-video and 20 audio channels which will mesmerize its viewers with music of all the genres like Gurbani, Devotional, Hindi Latest Hits, Bhojpuri, Dj mix, Meditation, Urdu and other attractive Genres.

Mr.Anil Khera, CEO, Bharat Business Channel Ltd. (Videocon d2h) said, “We take immense pride in launching the first of its kind Active Music Space with 22 exclusive audio / video channels 24 hrs dedicated only to music for our subscribers, which is a revolutionary concept provided to Videocon d2h customers for free. We are currently having 250 channels and services on our platform which is the highest in the DTH industry as we believe in delivering the best for our customers”

Videocon d2h is the foremost service provider to introduce exclusive music channels by launching ACTIVE MUSIC SPACE and these features are not available with any other DTH operator. Videocon d2h is available on Pan India level and India is known for its diversification, so keeping in mind the varied demands of each region, 22 exclusive channels have been designed to target customers’ needs for music no matter where they are in India.

Mr. Khera further added, “DTH has revolutionized the TV viewing experience in India by spearheading the introduction of innovative services. We at Videocon d2h are making sure that the experience is enhanced and more convenient by providing innovative products & services, using the latest technology. All in all we expect our value added services to provide an unparallel viewing experience backed by supreme technological innovation for the consumers.”

Audio offers 20 different genres that include latest Hits, Romantic Hits, DJ mix, Dance Hits, Sentimental Hits, Tanhaee, Zabardast Hits, Love is Hit, Gurbani, Punjabi Devotional, Punjabi Pop, Punjabi Lounge, Bhojpuri, Hamaar Geet, Meditation, Vandana, Spiritual Lounge, Bhakti, Islamic Devotional and Urdu Devotional.

Revolutionary concept: Videocon d2h has introduced the World’s 1st Satellite DVD which plays DVD & is capable of receiving DTH Signals, offers excellent digital entertainment, crystal clear pictures, ultra sharp sound via state of art satellite, using the revolutionary MPEG - 4 and DVB S2 technology. The Direct to Home (DTH) Services is available through Satellite DVD as well as a Satellite Box (STB).

Videocon d2h has set up customer call centre’s in Pune, Dehradhun, Noida and Bangalore with three to cater to customer needs in ten different languages.

Videocon d2h takes direct responsibility for hardware installation at subscribers’ homes, as well as for providing after-sales service. Videocon d2h retails its hardware and prepaid recharge vouchers through consumer electronic, mobile stores, retail chains and cable hardware stores to enhance customer convenience.

In addition to all popular television channels, the Videocon d2h platform will offer many new features and exciting interactive services, thus becoming a one-stop shop for all the television entertainment needs of customers.

My Name is Khan premieres on Videocon d2h platform

MUMBAI, May 26: My Name is Khan – the block buster movie from Dharma Productions & Red Chillies starring Shahrukh Khan & Kajol, which received fantastic reviews across the globe, can now be viewed on Videocon d2h Movies Pay Per View from May 27.

Mr.Anil Khera, CEO, Videocon d2h said: “We want to present to our customers the very best which will ensure customer delight be it via our content, services & even technological advancements. Now view latest movies in multiplex picture quality & sound right in your living room.”

Videocon d2h has introduced the World’s 1st Satellite DVD which plays DVD & is capable of receiving DTH Signals, offers excellent digital entertainment, crystal clear pictures, ultra sharp sound via state of art satellite, using the revolutionary MPEG - 4 and DVB S2 technology. The Direct to Home (DTH) Services is available through Satellite DVD as well as a Satellite Box (STB).

Videocon d2h takes direct responsibility for hardware installation at subscribers’ homes, as well as for providing after-sales service. Videocon d2h retails its hardware and prepaid recharge vouchers through consumer electronic, mobile stores, mobile re-charge, retail chains and cable hardware stores to enhance customer convenience.

In addition to all popular television channels, the Videocon d2h platform will offer many new features and exciting interactive services, thus becoming a one-stop shop for all the television entertainment needs of customers.

Facebook adjusts privacy controls after complaints

NEW YORK, May 26: In Facebook's vision of the Web, you would no longer be alone and anonymous. Sites would reflect your tastes and interests — as you expressed them on the social network — and you wouldn't have to fish around for news and music that interests you.

Standing in the way is growing concern about privacy from Facebook users — most recently complaints that the site forced them to share personal details with the rest of the online world or have them removed from Facebook profiles altogether.

Facebook responded to the backlash Wednesday by announcing it is simplifying its privacy controls and applying them retroactively, so users can protect the status updates and photos they have posted in the past.

"A lot of people are upset with us," CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged at a news conference at Facebook's Palo Alto, Calif., headquarters.

The changes came after Facebook rolled out a slew of new features in April that spread its reach to the broader Web. Among them was a program called "instant personalization" that draws information from a person's profile to customize sites such as the music service Pandora. Some users found it creepy, not cool.

Privacy groups have complained to regulators, and some people threatened to quit the site. Even struggling MySpace jumped in to capitalize on its rival's bad press by announcing a "new, simpler privacy setting."

To address complaints its settings were getting too complex, Facebook will now give users the option of applying the same preferences to all their content, so that with one click you can decide whether to share things with just "friends" or with everyone.

For those who found it complicated to prevent outside websites and applications from gaining access to Facebook data, there's now a way to do so in a couple of clicks.

It's not clear whether the changes will quell the unease among Facebook users, which has threatened to slow the site's breakneck evolution from a scrappy college network to an Internet powerhouse with nearly a half-billion people.

"They've lost the users' trust. That's the problem," said Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, an advocacy group. "In the earlier days, there was time to regain it. It's not so clear now. I think it's getting more serious than making changes and moving on."

3G auctions ring up Rs 67,719 crore for govt

NEW DELHI, May 20: After tremendous hype, hoopla, 34 days and 183 rounds of aggressive bidding by nine players, the 3G auctions drew to a close on Wednesday after raking in a whopping Rs 67,719 crore for the government.

The 3G bounty is almost double the original revenue estimates of Rs 30,000 crore by telecom minister A Raja and more recently, Rs 36,000 crore by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Effectively, this translates to Rs 16,750.6 crore for a single pan-India slot of 3G spectrum. The government auctioned three pan-India 3G slots with additional spectrum in Punjab, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir. BSNL & MTNL were already allocated 3G spectrum a year ago. They did not bid, but will now have to pay the 3G auction price for their spectrum holding.

Vodafone, Bharti and Reliance bagged the plum Delhi and Mumbai circles for a whopping Rs 3,316.9 crore and Rs 3,247.1 crore respectively.

Bharti, Reliance and Aircel won 13 circles each, Idea 11, and Vodafone and the Tatas 9 circles each. S Tel
got three circles while Etisalat did not win a single one.

Spectrum will be allocated to operators in September and it is likely 3G services will be rolled out by Diwali. So by Diwali, cash from 3G and the ensuing broadband auctions should be flowing into government coffers. The consumer also gets to be king, with additional choice and superior voice quality.

3G services, for the most part, will be used for voice, as is the case with 2G spectrum. They will also be used substantially for delivering SMSes. It is in large cities ^ mostly metros like Delhi and Mumbai ^ that 3G is expected to first deliver advanced services, multimedia, videos and other hi-tech offerings whose biggest consumers are expected to be from the business community and educated youth.

It is expected that India will see a real spurt in infotainment and Bollywood content on the back of 3G rollout and in services like e-health, e-education and mobile banking. However, this requires creation of capability both on the access side as well as the content side to get India anywhere close to the real potential of what 3G can deliver.

Eventually, over the next three to four years, 3G could form the basis of a major broadband revolution which could initially develop unevenly - starting with metros, large cities, urban India and then finally the rural heartland.

advertisements