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Zee Telefilms acquires ISP license

A company statement said that Zee Telefilms would exercise the license to provide Internet services through its sister cable distribution company Siticable.

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The statement said that DoT has issued a nationwide category 'A' license to Zee Telefilms.

The company now has the mandate to provide Internet services through its cable distribution network operated by Siticable.

Other cable companies like In Network too have been in the fray for this. The company has already tested the functioning of optic fibre cabling in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, In Network has reportedly begun upgrading services in Bombay. An In Network official has been quoted as saying that they have already been granted the license on December 4 in the same category but are reluctant to comment further.

However, it is learnt that the company will be able to commence services from January next year in Bombay.

Of all the companies that are in the race for ISP licenses, cable companies are in the most advantageous position as they already have the distribution channels in place along with a good subscriber base.

The investment is largely in upgradation. This would involve replacing the existing coaxial cables with optic fibre cables. These cables have a greater bandwidth and enable two-way flow of information.

The advantage of having an Internet connection from the local cable operator is that the computer screen can be done away with and an existing television set can be used.

It is not like a dial-up facility that is currently available through VSNL and, therefore, frequent disconnection of the telephone line and prohibitive phone bills can be avoided.

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