DTH
Tata Sky deploys Brocade to boost data center capacity
MUMBAI: Faced with exponential growth in demand for satellite broadcaster and interactive TV services, direct-to-home (DTH) satellite broadcaster Tata Sky has selected an advanced networking system from Brocade to significantly boost data center capacity.
Tata Sky has been using Brocade network switches for its call center operations. Now, as part of a broader upgrade at its key data center that also increases data storage system capacity from Brocade, the company is set to deploy an efficient and highly scalable Ethernet fabric based on Brocade VDX 6740 switches and Brocade VCS Fabric technology.
Compared to the conventional three-tier switching infrastructure it will replace, the Brocade network solution operates as a single layer and as a single virtual device that delivers low-latency application performance and a much better user experience.
“Tata Sky’s partnership with Brocade is strategic and long term. The core engineering talent and passion to deliver stands out at Brocade. We are planning to consolidate our data centers and Brocade will be our preferred networking partner. High throughput, no latency, and the highest level of automation are key features of Brocade technology that are directly relevant for our IT infrastructure,” said Tata Sky chief information officer Ravishanker.N.
“The explosive demand for increasingly high-resolution video content across all platforms is making the media and entertainment industry one of the hottest areas in terms of adopting new network technology. Tata Sky will be moving straight to the leading edge with a data center Ethernet fabric that will enable it to scale its network almost effortlessly. The intelligent foundation for the increased virtualisation of its data center operations will also give it the agility to better deal with spikes in service demand,” added Brocade Australia and New Zealand senior director Gary Denman.
As part of this solution, Brocade VDX 6740 switches support the VCS Fabric technology, which enables a high-performance switching cluster of interconnected switches that are manageable as a single device. By adding switches to the fabric – which is a simple matter of activating the 40 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) interconnects and powering up the devices – Tata Sky will be able to enjoy linear data center scalability in cost-effective increments.
The Brocade VDX switches are designed to support the high-bandwidth demands of virtual machine hosts, delivering a high density of wire-speed 10 GbE ports in a top-of-rack configuration. The low-latency port-to-port performance across the VCS fabric enables it to efficiently manage the high level of “East-West” traffic typical of cloud data centers. The VCS fabric will also provide Tata Sky with a very high level of network automation and virtual machine awareness, helping to greatly increase the agility of its data center operations.
DTH
GTPL Hathway posts FY26 revenue growth, Q4 slips into loss
Annual profit at Rs 5.88 crore; Q4 loss at Rs 5.90 crore
MUMBAI: A strong year met a shaky finish as GTPL Hathway closed FY26 on a high note only to stumble at the final hurdle. The company’s latest financials reveal a tale of two timelines: steady annual growth alongside a fourth-quarter dip that nudged it into the red. GTPL Hathway Limited reported total income of Rs 2,472.46 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, marking a clear rise from Rs 2,223.00 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 2,450.78 crore, up from Rs 2,193.38 crore a year ago, signalling consistent traction in its core cable TV and broadband business.
Yet, beneath the annual growth narrative, the March quarter told a different story. The company posted a net loss of Rs 5.90 crore in Q4 FY26, a sharp reversal from a profit of Rs 0.91 crore in the preceding quarter and Rs 8.15 crore in the same period last year. Total income for the quarter came in at Rs 618.46 crore, largely flat sequentially but higher than Rs 569.33 crore reported a year earlier.
The pressure was visible across the cost structure. Total expenses for the quarter rose to Rs 620.64 crore, marginally exceeding income and tipping the company into a loss before tax of Rs 7.87 crore. This compares with a profit before tax of Rs 1.22 crore in the December quarter and Rs 11.32 crore in Q4 FY25.
For the full year, however, profitability held firm. GTPL reported a net profit of Rs 5.88 crore in FY26, significantly lower than Rs 47.80 crore in FY25, but still in positive territory despite higher finance costs and operating expenses. Operating expenses alone climbed to Rs 1,884.53 crore for the year, up from Rs 1,603.53 crore, reflecting the increasing cost of running and scaling network infrastructure.
Finance costs also rose notably to Rs 33.57 crore in FY26 from Rs 22.19 crore in FY25, while depreciation and amortisation expenses stood at Rs 189.19 crore, underlining continued investments in assets and technology. Employee benefit expenses, however, declined to Rs 63.42 crore from Rs 77.08 crore, offering some relief on the cost front.
An exceptional item of Rs 5.69 crore during the year also weighed on profitability, compared with Rs 3.79 crore in the previous year. Meanwhile, tax adjustments, including deferred tax movements and prior-year adjustments, played a role in shaping the final earnings outcome.
Despite the quarterly wobble, the broader picture suggests a company still expanding its top line while grappling with margin pressures. With paid-up equity share capital unchanged at Rs 112.46 crore, the focus now shifts to whether GTPL can convert its revenue momentum into more stable, sustainable profitability in the coming quarters.
In short, FY26 may have delivered growth on paper but the closing chapter serves as a reminder that in business, as in broadband, consistency is everything.
