INDigital soft-launches its CAS service in south Mumbai

Mumbai: IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL) has announced the soft launch of its digital TV services, using the set-top-box in Mumbai city. In a symbolic gesture on the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturti on Sunday, the box was released and inaugurated at the feet of Lord Ganesha at the Siddhi Vinayak temple here.

INDigital has announced purchase and rental schemes for its high-tech digital set-top-boxes which will bring digital pay TV services within the reach of all who wish to watch pay channels. As a special festive offer outright purchase of its set top boxes will be provided at a special price of Rs 3,500 against an MRP of Rs 4,999. In addition to the over Rs 1,000 discount it is also offering a booklet of special discount coupons valued over Rs 7,000.

The box enables subscribers of INCableNet in Mumbai to experience the benefits of digital television. The company has tied up with world-renowned vendors such as Nagravision (Switzerland), a world-leader in digital CAS solutions for the deployment of the leading secure CAS system and integrating the CAS project, Tandberg (Norway) for the hi-tech digital headend, MagnaQuest (Hyderabad) for the SMS system, TechnoTrend (Germany) and Wistron (Taiwan) to provide STBs of state-of-the-art design.

It also has an operational 24-hour call centre to provide customer support all through the year. Today, customers can reach out to a cable operator with all their queries, be it technical, operational or usage problems. The central government has notified that in south Mumbai CAS zones will have dual illumination for a period of 10 days to help consumers get attuned to the conditional access system (CAS) and feel comfortable with the new technology.

The STB, driven by a digital headend, provides crystal-clear reception of over 500 digital channels. A digital channel has better clarity and the difference between the present analogue channels and digital is similar to the difference between VCD of poor quality and an original DVD.

The box allows the user to set a parental lock on channels that they do not wish their children to watch, create lists of their favourite channels and many new features. INCableNet is also planning to introduce pay per view (PPV) of special and unique content such as prime movies, sport events etc. IMCL is soon to come out with unique digital content that non-STB owners cannot see.

The boxes are being initially deployed in south Mumbai, after extensive trials, and can be purchased by any customer in any part of Mumbai. Subscribers purchasing the STBs can avail of attractive schemes like gifts and prizes, and also low introductory prices for a short period. Many customers have shown keen interest in buying the boxes, and deliveries have already begun.

The scheme is now being extended to Delhi also, with the USP of the benefits of digital television.