DTH Operators in the broadband business
Finding that the broadband business is going to play a key role in the coming days, The DTH Operators have also decided to offer broadband services. So, far it is a handicap for the DTH operators since their service cannot cover broadband and the Local Cable Operators have an upper hand with the capability of offering broadband services along with cable television. Now Tata Sky and Airtel DTH have made up their minds to launch broadband connectivity.
Recently Tata Sky has clarified that it has already made up its mind and proceeding further to enter into the broadband business. In a written reply to Maharashtra Navanirman Cable Sena, Tata Sky Broadband Private Limited has clarified that the company is into offering internet services in selective cities under the ISP license issued by the Department of Telecommunications.
The Company has also informed that it examines the feasibility of enrolling vendors, cable owners, and cable operators for fiber cable development, supply and maintenance work. “The collaboration opportunity between Tata Sky Broadband and the LCO shall be based on the mutually negotiated scope and terms of work, executed on a non-exclusive basis”, the letter said.
Similarly, Airtel has also recently announced its move under the brand name Airtel black which promises that the customer can get mobile, DTH and fiber connection under one roof at a reasonable price, from a single business house. Undoubtedly, this is a move to thwart the cable operators in the ground level to avoid entering into cable television. The video making an announcement of its new venture can be seen in the following video (promo of Airtel): https://youtu.be/nc_LWG485s4
However, while Tata Sky is interested in roping in the services of the LCOs, Airtel seems to be working it out independently. It is now for the LCOs to see both threat and opportunity in the business. Anyway, this is an eye-opener for the LCOs to understand that broadband is the future business.
