IndusInd Media plans Internet on cable
Our Bureau
MUMBAI, Feb. 8
INDUSIND Media & Communications Ltd will commence commercial operations of Internet on cable in five cities shortly, Mr. Ashok Mansukhani, Chief Operating Officer, said. Trial operations of Internet on cable have been completed at Nariman Point and Bandra in the city.
The company is currently in talks with manufacturers for Data Over Cable Service Interfaced Specifications (DOCSIS) cable modem. It is also in the process of experimenting with different modems to arrive at the right modem for each city.
Mr. Mansukhani said that pricing strategy will depend on bandwidth usage. The company is targeting corporates, high net worth individuals and the public - in that order - as potential customers.
Typically, the total price would be a composite of a flat fee and a user fee, the latter capable of declining with higher bandwidth use by the customer.
Currently, DOCSIS cable modem costs Rs. 15,000. However, Mr. Mansukhani said, the industry is expecting a reduction in customs duties for cable modems in the upcoming union budget.
IndusInd Media plans to introduce Internet on cable in Mumbai, Bangalore, Belgaum, New Delhi and Hyderabad. Over the next three years, this Hinduja-owned media outfit has investment plans of Rs. 4,000-5,000 crores in the sector spanning information to entertainment.
However, Mr. Mansukhani added that the company will source its funds mostly from internal accruals and the planned investments need not therefore see a change in the company's status to being listed either here or abroad. ``We are capable of funding it ourselves with least borrowing.'
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