Bharti Airtel has announced the launch of Airtel digital TV, its Direct To Home (DTH) Satellite TV service. The service will be available to customers through 21,000 retail points including Airtel Relationship Centres in 62 cities across the country starting October 9, 2008. At present there are five DTH players in the Indian market :

1. Dish TV: Largest private DTH player.

2. Tata Sky: More than 2 million customers.

3. DD Direct: Free service.

4. Sun Direct: Strong player in South India.

5. Big Digital TV (Reliance Communications): Big expectations.

On the occasion, Mr Manoj Kohli, C.E.O. and Joint. M.D., Bharti Airtel said, "Today we are starting a new chapter in our journey, one that adds a new dimension to our existing product portfolio and is a major step towards transforming Airtel from just a telecom brand of lifestyle enabler. 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."

Bharti is launching the service with over 175 channels; The company had introduced 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 99 to Rs 424.

Airtel digital TV uses the latest MPEG4 standard with DVB S2 technology, which translates into exceptional picture clarity and consistent high quality audio for the customer. This latest technology also enables delivery of more complex interactive content and is High Definition ready. Also, Airtel digital TV uses 20% larger dish antenna that offers better performance during rain.

Features:

1) Universal remote for both Set Top box and TV that offers enhanced viewer convenience.

2)Highest Set Top Box memory enabling more interactive applications.

3) Exclusive content such as World space radio.

4) Interactive applications such as iMatinee (Book cinema tickets), iTravel (Browsw and book travel packages), iShop (Shop on TV for your favourite brands), iCity (Get your city’s information) and Widgets (Update yourself on latest stock news). 8 screen iNews, 2/4 screen iSports.

5) Amazing games with high quality graphics, refreshed every six weeks.

6) Audio gain control for uniform audio levels across all channels.

7) Simple and intuitive search.

On screen account meter.

9) Last viewed channel in case of power disruption/switch off.

10) Low battery indicator on the screen. The customer care is available in 8 different languages and a team of 800 professionally trained service engineers.

Indian DTH space is gradually becoming more competitive due to new entrants i.e. Reliance (Big TV), Airtel DTH and Videocon’s D2H Plus. Big TV recently started its DTH operations from August, while Airtel has announced the launch of Airtel digital TV on October 9, 2008 and Videocon may also launch their DTH services in October. There will be hectic activity in this space due to intense competition and wide scope to grow. By the end of 2008 there will be seven DTH players in the Indian market :

1. Dish TV: Largest private DTH player.

2. Tata Sky: More than 2 million customers.

3. DD Direct: Free service.

4. Sun Direct: Strong player in South India.

5. Big Digital TV (Reliance Communications): Big expectations.

6. Airtel Digital TV: It will be launched on Octobre 9 ,2008.

7. Videocon DTH: It may be launched in October.

My suggestion: Please wait for another 2 months and then select the best DTH player who is offering good customer service at reasonable price.