Reliance Communications expected to start nationwide commercial operations of its Big Digital TV DTH service

Reliance Communications expected to start nationwide commercial operations of its DTH service from August 15. ‘Big Digital TV DTH’, a subsidiary of RCOM, is betting big on the huge potential of home entertainment in the Indian households. It is estimated that India has over 124 million TV households, with roughly 80 million using the conventional cable delivery platform.

DTH operators in the country, Tata Sky, DishTV and Sun are estimated to have a user base of around 7-8 million. Big Digital TV DTH would announce its tariff plans in the next few days before the launch of services. When contacted company spokesperson refused to comment. Sources, however, said Big Digital TV DTH would unleash an aggressive launch plan with an aim to become the largest DTH operator in the country in the first year of operation.

The company is believed to have placed order for 5 million Set Top Boxes with Korean and Taiwanese vendors to meet its requirements in the first year, they said, adding Big Digital TV is targeting to capture a substantial share of the DTH market that is projected to cross 25-million user base in the next three years. The company has already completed trial runs across 2,400 towns and the service is currently available for customers of other Reliance ADAG group companies for Rs 1,000.