Indiagames to introduce social game based on Ra.One

A new social game based on Red Chillies’ latest offering, Ra.One will be designed and developed by the UTV Indiagames. 

Red Chillies is investing around Rs13-18 crore for the film’s online promotion and the game is a part of the promotion. 

Sun Direct reaches 7-million subscribers mark

Sun Direct, DTH service provider has claimed that over 7-million subscribers are now using its services.

Its wide range of channel offerings, India’s first ad-free movie service offering and significant investment in technology and customer service have mutually helped the company in terms of growth.

Game Apps are the main driving force for social networks

The tug of war between recently launched Google Plus and the established social networking site Facebook is on. The internet analysts have concluded that both have advantages and disadvantages and users would be the ultimate judge. 

Google Plus began with a bang in June, but since then the response has not been along expected lines with its 3.8 million users finding it hard to comprehend what the social networking site is all about. On the contrary, Facebook is still going stronger. According to data from online analytics firm Socialbankers.com, the users from India has grown by nearly five per cent in the last 30 days. 

Dish TV makes DTH portability a dream come true reality by launching ‘Dish Freedom’

Dish TV has made DTH portability a reality with the launch of ‘Dish Freedom’, a conditional access module (CAM) device. It will enable DTH customers to opt for the quality services of Dish TV instead of their existing DTH operator without having to change their set-top boxes.

The device, being launched in select key markets, is priced at Rs. 990/- and is bundled with an annual subscription of Dish Freedom pack of 95 channels and services worth Rs. 600/-.

Angry Anna invades gaming

Geek Mentors Studio, a Noida-based technology start-up, has developed a game titled Angry Anna, along the lines of the game Angry Birds. The game will empower users to vent their frustration against corrupt leaders and politicians. 

The 'Birds' of 'Angry Birds' are replaced with animated faces of anti-corruption leaders such as Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev, while the 'Pigs' are swapped with the faces of some politicians. The players are required to use a slingshot to launch the anti-corruption leaders at the politicians, who are placed within various blocks/structures. The target is to destroy all politicians to clear each level of the game. 

ISRO initiates RFP for foreign satellite leasing

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) to obtain responses from interested foreign satellite operators for leasing satellites with transponders working in Ku and C-band frequencies.

ISRO’s move comes in the wake of acute Ku-band transponder shortage that the Indian DTH industry faces as they seek to add channels and offer high-definition (HD) services on their platform.

Dark horses disrupt DTH race order

The latest report from MPA indicates that some relatively new comess in DTH arena are doing better than the old stalwarts. Though Dish TV remains the No. 1 player based on gross and active subscribers, Bharti Airtel’s Digital TV — which was No. 4 until December — has emerged from the back to claim the No. 2 slot in terms of active users, pushing Tata Sky to No. 3 and Sun Direct to No. 4. Tata Sky, however, keeps the No. 2 slot in terms of gross subscribers.

Videocon’s D2H, which was the last in December, in terms of gross and active users, has beaten Reliance Big TV on both parameters, pushing it to the last slot. The new pecking order is significant since Videocon was the last to start DTH services. Reliance Big TV is part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.

ZyXEL introduces advanced set-top box

ZyXEL Communications has introduced a high performance set-top box device with advanced video service capabilities. 

The company's newest set-top box mode, STB-2101H, is built with SoC (system-on-chip) architecture. It supports SVG (scalable vector graphics), a revolutionary technique that enables faster download time and zero distortion, which translates into optimal performance of picture scaling or zooming on displays. 

Zapak Games inks distribution deal with Crayola

Zapak Games has signed a marketing and distribution agreement for the exclusive distribution rights of the global stationery brand Crayola's products in India. 

The marketing and distribution agreement gives Zapak Games exclusive distribution rights of Crayola's products in India. 

Facebook enhances privacy options

Facebook, the world's largest social networking site with 750 million users, has introduced a slew of changes aimed at giving users more control over what they share, what other people share about them, and where all this information would appear. The changes are set to be rolled out over the next few weeks. 

The 33 million Indians who throng Facebook would be part of the worldwide community that would be able to add location information to any of their posts (or updates), even after they make it, instead of having to 'check in', using a mobile device. Earlier, Facebook users could only 'check in' to locations (socially share the places they visit) using the Places feature on a smartphone. However, Cox says, "Lots of people use Facebook to talk about where they are, have been, or want to go. Now, you can add your location from anywhere, regardless of what device you are using, or whether it is a status update, a photo or a wall post. Of course, you can always choose not to add a location at all." 

TRAI to formulate exit policy for telcos

The department of telecommunications (DoT) has asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to formulate details of an exit policy for service providers wishing to quit.

Dozens of odd operators, who were allotted Unified Access Service Licence by former telecom minister A Raja in 2008, had decided to limit their services to certain areas or had dropped plans of launching these in other circles, in the face of stiff competition. 

Taxmen to investigate Dish TV accounts?

India’s largest DTH service Dish TV could be probed by the Income tax department for the recovery of last fiscal year’s tax dues. Tax officials feel the company by understating its tax liability actually ended up paying less tax than other DTH players with lesser number of subscribers.

According to a senior income tax official Dish TV has only paid Rs 39 crore instead of Rs 150 crore for the last fiscal year.

Mobile internet users to touch 46 million in September: IAMAI study

The Mobile Internet in India Report 2011, published by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and market research organisation IMRB, reveals that mobile internet users will touch a figure of 46 million in September, 2011.

The study reveals that mobile phones have the potential to become a primary internet access point owing to the increasing influence of mobile apps, introduction of 3G services, availability of better mobile phones, and a rising mobile subscriber base.

Puthiya Thalaimurai launches a Tamil news channel

The New Generation Media Corporation, publishers of the Puthiya Thalaimurai group of magazines, has launched a 24-hour Tamil news channel, starting from 24 August 2011.

Puthiya Thalaimurai will operate from Chennai, with approximately 200 reporters spread across the state of Tamil Nadu, as well as from important cities like Delhi, and Mumbai, through its bureaus and offices. National news will be sourced through a syndication deal with ANI / PTI, and global news will be sourced through its syndication deal with Reuters.

News Express, India’s first HD News Channel launched

India, sees the launch of yet another News Channel. The News Express channel , the first HD channel in its genre. Its trials had started on 28 July 2011. A Sai Prasad Media venture, News Express provides the luxury of high-picture quality, realistic presentation and superior sound clarity to the viewers.

The channel is built on content credibility and believes in providing well researched facts and quality reporting. Spearheaded by Mr. Mukesh Kumar, one of the most eminent names in the media fraternity today, the channel positions itself to be a hard-core political news channel.

Shemaroo Joins Hand with the state owned Telco MTNL

MTNL in collaboration with Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd has announced the launch of 2G & 3G Value Added Services across Delhi and Mumbai. Shemaroo will not only be actively involved in packaging the content but will also manage the same on MTNL via its own 3G Video Delivery Platform.

Users will now be able to enjoy Live Prayers from all major shrines of India through its service called Divine Prayers. Darshan, devotional video songs, Mandir Darshan and Bhakti Videos will also be provided through his service.

Govt earns Rs 1.78 bn as licence fee from DTH in FY'11

The Government has earned Rs 1.78 billion in 2010-11 as licence fee from the six private direct-to-home (DTH) platforms as compared to Rs 1.26 billion in 2009-10.

You Broadband ties up with Zapak for PC games

Broadband service provider You Broadband and Cable India has announced its association with online gaming company, Zapak Digital Entertainment to provide full version PC games to its customers.

The gaming service by Zapak will be made accessible to the You Broadband customers. The MD and CEO of You Broadband and Cable EVS Chakravarthy said that games being offered by Zapak, along with other value added services would allow users to explore the world of broadband.

Shrinking market cap compel MSOs

Den Networks shares have crashed to a new low at Rs 5.03 billion. The downfall was caused by the recent wild swings in the global market. Shares of Den fell 9.93 per cent to close on 18 August at Rs 38.55 on the BSE after it hit lower circuit. This is the third big slide, after tumbling 20 per cent on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

As per an analyst at a broken firm the selling pressure from EMSAF Mauritius and Fidelity has triggered the fall. The market cap of Den at one stage was over Rs 24 billion and the fall could reflect on a negative sentiment the cable sector till he government mandates digitalisation.

Government put the mobile TV policy plan on a hold

Indian customers may have to wait longer to access television customized for mobile phones because the government has put its plan of formulating a mobile TV policy in the slow lane.

The dedicated spectrum in UHF band V which is also known as 4G band set for the mobile TV policy is running out of space as the large chunk of the spectrum is being used by the public broadcaster Doordarshan. The Department of telecommunications (DoT) has asked Doordarshan to vacate the spectrum.

Emotional Atyachaar violated programme code - I&B to court

On a petition moved in the High Court against the reality show, Emotional Atyachaar, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has held that certain episodes of the reality show ‘Emotional Atyachaar’,

telecast on UTV Bindass, violate various provisions of the Programme Code and are not fit for unrestricted public exhibition.

The affidavit said I&B Secretary Raghu Menon has personally viewed the episodes and also considered the recommendations of the IMC. The IMC had said the programme offends Rules 6(1)(a), 6(a)(d), 6(1)(k), (6(1)(o), 6(5) and 6(2) of the Programme Code.

TRAI extends dates for comments on MVAS paper

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has announced more time to the stakeholders, who were asked to give suggestions for a consultation paper on "Mobile Value Added Services (MVAS)" on 21 July 2011. The last date for receipt of comments has been extended to 23 August and for counter comments to 30 August. 

Quoting from the IAMAI report, TRAI said entertainment had a share of 57 per cent compared to 39 per cent share for information and only four per cent for m-commerce. 

Telecom policy to allow pooling of spectrum

A draft of the national telecom policy for 2011 has come up with the proposal to allow trading, pooling and sharing of spectrum, which is likely to benefit the new as well as established telecom operators. 

Experts say most new operators such as S-Tel, Datacom, Loop Telecom and Etisalat-DB will be keen on trading or sharing spectrum as their spectrum utilisation is minimal because of a low subscriber base. They will have demand from established operators who have not got the go-ahead on their applications for more spectrum. 

Reliance Communications launches Rs 13k 3G tablet

Telecom provider Reliance Communications is the first 3G operator in India to come out with its fully loaded Android tablet, worth Rs 13 K. The 3G Tablet is enabled with a 7-inch capacitive touch screen with Android 2.3 OS a, has 512 MB RAM, and a micro SD external storage. It also has a 2.0MP rear camera and a front camera. Other features include mobile TV, voice calling, GPS and video recording.

Mahesh Prasad, President, Reliance Communications Ltd, said that Reliance Communications has always been a pioneer when it comes to innovation and re-invention, making products which match the requirements of the customers.

Unified Telecom to launch mobile ad for BSNL

Singapore-listed Unified Telecom has recently launched a host of mobile advertising services for state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) in the eastern region. The BSNL network will render new services like graphics, audio, text and video platforms to its users.

HC directs BCCI to reveal telecast rights guidelines given to broadcasters

The Delhi High Court has directed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to inform to the court about their guidelines in relation to the rights of the broadcasters who have been granted permission to air the cricket matches across the world by 15 September. The court was hearing a petition filed by Neo Sports Broadcasts Private Limited alleging that TV channels which have been granted re-telecast rights by it are consuming more time than allotted to them.

AIR plans to expand FM operations in 210 new cities

Public sector broadcaster Prasar Bharati is set to expand All India Radio’s FM operations to 210 new cities and towns which would make it the largest player in the space. At present, Prasar Bharati operates FM stations in 100-odd cities. It would then have operations in as many cities as all the private FM operators put together would operate in even after the third phase of auctions.

The national broadcaster will soon forward an investment plan of Rs 2,000 crore to the government to build the necessary infrastructure. Prasar Bharati has already written to the chief secretaries of all states for the allocation of land to set up new stations. Work will start on the infrastructure as soon as approvals are received.

TRAI asks operators to justify rise in tariff

Within weeks of an increase in mobile tariffs by some of the major players, the telecom regulator has asked them to justify the increase in call rates.

In a recent communication to the operators, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has asked whether they have increased their prices and sought the details of the increased tariff plans.