INSAT-4C Failure Proves Breathtaking For DTH Operators

Failure of INSAT-4C has dashed the hopes of various DTH operators. The accident has left a “black mark” on the capability of ISRO’s scientists. This mishap occurred on July 10, when GSLV-F02, the satellite launcher carrying INSAT-4C, had to be destroyed from the control room. The launch vehicle, carrying 2,168 kg satellite, deviated from it chartered path, soon after lift-off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC). One of the four strap-on motors, having hypergolic liquid propellants, failed to provide the required thrust during the premiere stage. It is because of this, the satellite drifted to one side.

The satellite was the heaviest in its range and the launch vehicle was 49-metre-tall, with a 414 tonne GSLV three-stage vehicle. The first stage, GS1, comprised a core motor with 138 tonne of solid propellants and four strap-on motors, each with 42 tonnes of hypergolic liquid propellant. If successful, the life-span of this satellite was expected to be 10 years.

Value Added Services A Boon For Cable Operators

Convergence of technologies is shortening the gap between a telco, a cable operator or a DTH operator. These services were distinctly basic and survived on their own for many years, but no more. We have stepped into the age of convergence where every new application is being looked at with interest by every one. What was possible on one kind of service is possible on the other too.

Some times back, cost was a big factor in restricting one technology to a particular platform, but no more. Cost of technology is reducing at logrithmic scale. One chip solutions are being found for multipurpose applications. From the Indian point of view let us examine how these value additions will penetrate and what will facilitate them.

INSAT-4C Failure Proves Breathtaking For DTH Operators

Failure of INSAT-4C has dashed the hopes of various DTH operators. The accident has left a “black mark” on the capability of ISRO’s scientists. This mishap occurred on July 10, when GSLV-F02, the satellite launcher carrying INSAT-4C, had to be destroyed from the control room. The launch vehicle, carrying 2,168 kg satellite, deviated from it chartered path, soon after lift-off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC). One of the four strap-on motors, having hypergolic liquid propellants, failed to provide the required thrust during the premiere stage. It is because of this, the satellite drifted to one side.

The satellite was the heaviest in its range and the launch vehicle was 49-metre-tall, with a 414 tonne GSLV three-stage vehicle. The first stage, GS1, comprised a core motor with 138 tonne of solid propellants and four strap-on motors, each with 42 tonnes of hypergolic liquid propellant. If successful, the life-span of this satellite was expected to be 10 years.

Value Added Services A Boon For Cable Operators

Convergence of technologies is shortening the gap between a telco, a cable operator or a DTH operator. These services were distinctly basic and survived on their own for many years, but no more. We have stepped into the age of convergence where every new application is being looked at with interest by every one. What was possible on one kind of service is possible on the other too.

Some times back, cost was a big factor in restricting one technology to a particular platform, but no more. Cost of technology is reducing at logrithmic scale. One chip solutions are being found for multipurpose applications. From the Indian point of view let us examine how these value additions will penetrate and what will facilitate them.

Triple Play

Telcos and service providers in the world over are racing to deploy networks that will support the triple-play service bundle—the delivery of voice, video and data services provided on a common network infrastructure. And although there is no agreement among providers in terms of a single plan for such an infrastructure, providers agree that the triple-play represents a major opportunity to forestall the growth of cable MSOs and other competitors.

The availability of new, carrier-grade IP-based technology is also contributing to a major shift in the way providers are designing their networks to provide new video and enhanced telephony services. Indeed, the reality of a true converged, IP-based network architecture opens the door to an array of enhanced applications and services, including IPTV, video telephony, VolP, and Video on Demand.

Triple Play

Telcos and service providers in the world over are racing to deploy networks that will support the triple-play service bundle—the delivery of voice, video and data services provided on a common network infrastructure. And although there is no agreement among providers in terms of a single plan for such an infrastructure, providers agree that the triple-play represents a major opportunity to forestall the growth of cable MSOs and other competitors.

The availability of new, carrier-grade IP-based technology is also contributing to a major shift in the way providers are designing their networks to provide new video and enhanced telephony services. Indeed, the reality of a true converged, IP-based network architecture opens the door to an array of enhanced applications and services, including IPTV, video telephony, VolP, and Video on Demand.

Draft Broadcasting Bill Scares Broadcasters

The Draft Broadcasting Bill has put all the broadcasters in a shock. It has made them run to save their lives. According to them the new Draft Bill has given a severe blow to the freedom of broadcasters, who, till now were enjoying at the cost of the cable operators. These cable operators are already pressurised by the rules of stringent laws since 1995 when Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Ordinance was enacted. Cable operators were even made responsible for the content and advertisements on the channels when they neither produced nor broadcast them.

All broadcasters in those days were foreign broadcasters as they uplinked their signals from outside India. Hence, they were outside the reach of Indian Laws. Result was that the broadcasters did what they liked, making their channels ‘Pay’ and charge arbitrary rates for them blaming the cable operators for under-declaration and other issues. The bill that was scheduled to pass in the present monsoon session of the Parliament, may not see the daylight as it has started facing objections in the very first stage. It has created a “cat and dog” fight between the broadcasters and the government.

broadband Wireless Communication Ushers New Era

The country has witnessed a telecom boom in the recent past and is now poised to see growth in broadcasting which is also a high growth industry in India. The revenues of CATV industry have reached the mark of 70 billion rupees. The IT industries are growing by leaps and bounds. New services on the horizon are the broadband services, the future growth vehicles of the converging technologies of telecom, broadband casting and IT.

The broadband access has an important role to play, which means to open a new technology frontier for TV viewers. DTH has arrived in our country. Already, there are two DTH operators in the country, namely Dish TV of Zee group and Direct Plus of DD.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows you to make telephone calls using an Internet connection instead of a regular telephone line. Some VoIP services may allow you only to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call any telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers.

Equipment Required

First you need an Internet connection, and, for many types of VoIP calls, you need a broadband Internet connection.

Depending on the VoIP service you purchase, you may need a computer, a special VoIP telephone, or a regular telephone with an adapter. If you are calling a regular telephone number, the person you are calling does not need any special equipment, just a telephone.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows you to make telephone calls using an Internet connection instead of a regular telephone line. Some VoIP services may allow you only to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call any telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers.

Draft Broadcasting Bill Scares Broadcasters

The Draft Broadcasting Bill has put all the broadcasters in a shock. It has made them run to save their lives. According to them the new Draft Bill has given a severe blow to the freedom of broadcasters, who, till now were enjoying at the cost of the cable operators. These cable operators are already pressurised by the rules of stringent laws since 1995 when Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Ordinance was enacted. Cable operators were even made responsible for the content and advertisements on the channels when they neither produced nor broadcast them.

All broadcasters in those days were foreign broadcasters as they uplinked their signals from outside India. Hence, they were outside the reach of Indian Laws. Result was that the broadcasters did what they liked, making their channels ‘Pay’ and charge arbitrary rates for them blaming the cable operators for under-declaration and other issues. The bill that was scheduled to pass in the present monsoon session of the Parliament, may not see the daylight as it has started facing objections in the very first stage. It has created a “cat and dog” fight between the broadcasters and the government.

broadband Wireless Communication Ushers New Era

The country has witnessed a telecom boom in the recent past and is now poised to see growth in broadcasting which is also a high growth industry in India. The revenues of CATV industry have reached the mark of 70 billion rupees. The IT industries are growing by leaps and bounds. New services on the horizon are the broadband services, the future growth vehicles of the converging technologies of telecom, broadband casting and IT.

Vas By Cable Operators

Indian Cable TV industry is going through a metamorphosis. And this is quite evident as enough hype is being generated about CAS, DTH, Digitization and to top it all VAS. 

While picking up VAS (Value Added Services) as a subject of business opportunity, attention should hover around two basic elements.

Vas By Cable Operators

Indian Cable TV industry is going through a metamorphosis. And this is quite evident as enough hype is being generated about CAS, DTH, Digitization and to top it all VAS. 

While picking up VAS (Value Added Services) as a subject of business opportunity, attention should hover around two basic elements.

CAS Gets The Nod

Like the month of June, July also kept us busy in hectic activities in the Industry. First of all, it was the open house discussions of TRAI on numerous consultation papers issued in June, then there were the two major Court Cases, one between the MSOs and the Ministry of I&B that decided the implementation of CAS with immediate effect and the second between Dish-TV and Star TV where TDSAT gave a landmark ruling of sharing of content between the two DTH platforms, cost of the content package to be 50% of the cost on cable and the third major happening was the release of Draft Broadcast Bill that created a commotion amongst the Broadcasters with its proposals of cross-media restrictions, mandatory time slot for social programming, public service advertising and mandatory percentage of content sourced from India by all foreign channels and restriction on market share of broadcasters as well as MSOs.

After the Delhi High Court’s strict order to implement CAS by 31 Dec 2006, I don’t think there is any way now for the government to avoid this. TRAI is already busy in drafting regulations for the CAS areas. Government has already issued the Notification on CAS with a number of changes in the Cable Television Act. Lets hope this time that CAS gets implemented and the Cable Industry gets a level playing field with DTH.

CAS Gets The Nod

Like the month of June, July also kept us busy in hectic activities in the Industry. First of all, it was the open house discussions of TRAI on numerous consultation papers issued in June, then there were the two major Court Cases, one between the MSOs and the Ministry of I&B that decided the implementation of CAS with immediate effect and the second between Dish-TV and Star TV where TDSAT gave a landmark ruling of sharing of content between the two DTH platforms, cost of the content package to be 50% of the cost on cable and the third major happening was the release of Draft Broadcast Bill that created a commotion amongst the Broadcasters with its proposals of cross-media restrictions, mandatory time slot for social programming, public service advertising and mandatory percentage of content sourced from India by all foreign channels and restriction on market share of broadcasters as well as MSOs.

August 2006

Tuesday, August 01, 2006 -- The Central Government empowered TRAI to fix the prices of pay channels, if they are too high. It also ordered to cut-down the time Span of advertisements to 12 minutes.