KOLKATA: The average revenue per user (ARPU) of cable operators can go up only with introduction of additional services. This has been stated enough and more time for the multi system operators to take note of and move in the direction.
One such MSO is Siticable Network that has decided to strengthen its broadband and value added services (VAS) offering to its consumers. The network will soon launch ‘SitiBroadband’ service in West Bengal.
Siticable currently has a cable customer base of around 12.5 lakh in the state. The MSO hopes to convert at least 10 per cent of this consumer base to 'SitiBroadband' service users. And to woo these consumers, Siticable will provide a combo pack and a value addition pack in the first year of the launch of the service.
“We have already invested in broadband. We are working on the price and package modality. In a digital addressable era, broadband and VAS will become an important differentiated offering,” says Siticable Kolkata director Suresh Sethiya.
“We are upbeat about our penetration and growth in West Bengal as our combo pack will be a value addition,” he adds.
Sethiya is enthusiastic about the new offering and hopes to develop it as a second major revenue source after it moved into the new digital regime where it has more direct control over the last mile customer. "We can now explain the consumers about the new service easily," he opines.
Kolkata based cable TV analyst Namit Dave feels that broadband and value-added services will get a major boost as the country advances towards the completion of digitisation. "MSOs will roll out different packages on a vast scale going forward," says he.
For another city based analyst broadband is a promising business. "It needs less investment while promising higher revenue, Siticable is set for a new high," he says optimistically.
As reported earlier by indiantelevision.com, Siticable, as part of enhancing its VAS offering to consumers, is also exploring opportunities to release regional movies on cable TV before they are released in the theatres to generate more revenue.
Sethiya confirms that they are in talks with producers for premiere shows of regional movies on its cable channel as part of value added services. “These services can be implemented once the billing process is properly executed, which could take around six months to complete,” signs off Sethiya.
