The Hindu : Business : Airtel DTH service to offer 175 channels

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Wednesday, Oct 08, 2008
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Business

Airtel DTH service to offer 175 channels

Special Correspondent

The package starts from Rs. 1,499 for the South; service begins from October 9

Monthly tariff will range from Rs. 125 to Rs. 424
Special treatment for its 80-lakh customers

— PHOTO: R. V. MOORTHY

REDEFINING HOME ENTERTAINMENT: Manoj Kohli (left), CEO and Joint Managing Director, Airtel, and Atul Bindal, President, Telemedia Services, Bharti Airtel, at the launch of Airtel Digital TV in New Delhi on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel on Tuesday launched Airtel digital TV, its direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV service. Starting October 9, the service will be available through 21,000 retail points, including Airtel relationship centres in 62 cities across the country.

Addressing a press conference here, Airtel Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Manoj Kohli said they would offer over 175 channels through three different packages for the North and southern markets.

“For the northern market, the package starts from Rs. 2,499 and for the South, the package would start from Rs. 1,499. Depending on the language and genre of channels, the monthly tariffs would range from Rs. 125 to Rs. 424. We will also offer special deals to our 80-lakh mobile, broadband and other customers,” Mr. Kohli said.

Stating that Airtel digital TV, which is a perfect blend of latest technology, unique features, and great content, would redefine the digital home entertainment experience, Mr. Kohli said: “The launch of Airtel digital TV is the culmination of our ‘three screens’ strategy, which is to be present across mobile phone, computer and TV screens. We will strive to achieve the leadership position soon in this field also.”

He further said Airtel’s DTH services would have universal remote for set-top box (STB), which receives signal from the antenna, and the television set, besides other features such as high STB memory, exclusive interactive applications, onscreen games and more efficient battery. Airtel digital TV uses the MPEG4 standard with DVB S2 technology, which translates into picture clarity and consistent high quality audio for the customer. This technology also enables delivery of more complex interactive content and is ‘High Definition’ ready, according to Mr. Kohli.

Corrections and Clarifications

[A report "Airtel DTH service to offer 175 channels" ("Business" page, October 8, 2008) said Mr. Manoj Kohli is the CEO and Joint Managing Director, Airtel, in the caption of the accompanying photograph, but gave his designation as Airtel Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, in the second paragraph. The detail in the caption is right]

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