GECs
Telefónica, Alcatel – Lucent conducting a pilot project for mobile interactive multimedia services in Spain
MUMBAI: Alcatel-Lucent and Telefónica are conducting a pilot project for mobile interactive multimedia services in Spain. The pilot project will encompass an offer of interactive TV, radio and music services for mobile handsets.
The tests started in early October 2006 and are scheduled to run for six months.
Telefónica Móviles España general director of technology Cayetano Lluch says, “We want to offer our customers the most complete personalised best-in class multimedia experience, that brings the full benefit of interactivity and excitement into their everyday lives. In the framework of this multi-faceted trial, we are eager to cooperate with Alcatel-Lucent and we will test its end-to-end solutions portfolio covering mobile TV, radio and music service delivery.”
Alcatel-Lucent’s convergence activities president Marc Rouanne says, “With more than 80 mobile TV and video services in operation worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent enjoys a leadership position in the booming mobile TV and radio market. We are proud to have been chosen by Telefónica to conduct these comprehensive mobile TV, radio and music trials, as this will allow us to demonstrate our capability to enable interactivity.”
The framework of this agreement Alcatel-Lucent is providing Telefónica with a trial platform of Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile interactive services. Additionally, Telefónica will test a set of complementary Alcatel-Lucent’s applications to bring full interactivity and enjoyment to the subscribers, all of them using the same platform and some elements already provided.
With Alcatel-Lucent’s Mobile Interactive TV solution, Telefónica will be able to create new, high-quality, interactive television services, allowing mobile end-users to watch high-quality TV channels, consult an electronic program guide (EPG) in a preferred format, rapidly change channels or content, and use contextual interactive services, such as ordering content associated with a TV programme, with one or two key strokes in their handsets.
Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile interactive solution will provide Telefónica’s end-users with a new way to hear radio on a mobile phone, allowing them to select different FM radio channels and to browse the Electronic Program Guide of these channels. In addition, interactive services will be linked to the content selected by the operator, that spans voting, alerts and interactive advertising services.
Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile interactive Music solution includes new music discovery services, music and video catalogues, as well as cross selling of several artist’s related content (ring tones, video clips, full tracks and wallpaper).
Alcatel-Lucent’s “Unlimited Mobile TV” solution uses a 3G-friendly hybrid satellite and terrestrial infrastructure based on the forthcoming DVB-SH broadcast mobile TV standard in the S-Band (2.2 GHz). It enables the delivery of an unlimited number of TV channels to an unlimited mobile audience with unlimited coverage.
In addition, to complement this ongoing technical evaluation, Telefónica and Alcatel-Lucent will perform market tests. Creating an ecosystem of key players, Alcatel-Lucent ensures the delivery of mobile interactive services on the right network, suited to the most appropriate content and advertiser sponsorship to the subscribers.
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
