iWorld
Four telcos will emerge from India consolidation, predicts CCS Insight
MUMBAI: On 27 June, global analyst firm CCS Insight announced the launch of its new report focused on the development of the Indian telecom industry.
The report – India: Halcyon Days Ahead in a Four-Operator Market – highlights the history, dynamism and consolidation of the Indian telecom market, revealing that:
A total of 68 per cent of leading telecoms executives surveyed predict that India will consolidate to a four-operator market
Just over half of respondents to a CCS Insight survey think that Vodafone will still be operational in India in five years’ time
Market consolidation will be a positive outcome for network operators, consumers and manufacturers of infrastructure and handsets
India’s population of more than 1.25 billion people represents an enormous market for mobile communications. It has attracted billions of dollars of investment from domestic and international companies over the past 20 years and, with the consolidation process in India now moving at a rapid pace, it has the potential to bring an end to two decades of market chaos.
The report is written by CCS Insight senior adviser Tony Worthington, the former Global Head of Telecoms, Media and Technology at Standard Chartered Bank. Tony has been involved in the Indian telecoms industry for over 20 years.
He notes that “the consolidation process in India is now well under way, and the main uncertainty seems to be whether the Ambani brothers — one of whom owns Reliance Communications, and one of whom owns Jio – will be able to live with a merger between the two companies. Most of the survey sample seems to think that, ultimately, they would”.
CCS Insight CEO Shaun Collins adds, “This report provides some interesting thoughts for consumers, handset providers and mobile operators in India. Consolidation is a reality for operators across the globe and there’s a history of instability in the Indian market, so we’re excited to see the growth and evolution of this sector. CCS Insight looks forward to working with its valued clients in considering the future implications of consolidation in India, fuelled by the mergers of Vodafone and Idea Cellular, Reliance Communications and Aircel and by the ambitions of Jio”.
iWorld
Amazon MX Player launches free micro-drama destination Fatafat
New platform offers serialized short-form stories with Munawar Faruqui campaign.
MUMBAI: Amazon MX Player just made micro-dramas free because the only thing shorter than the episodes is now the price tag (zero). Amazon MX Player has launched Fatafat, India’s first completely free premium micro-drama destination, giving mobile-first audiences access to fast-paced, serialized short-form stories without any paywall. Designed for quick viewing bursts, Fatafat features a growing catalogue of romance, drama, thriller and youth-led narratives in bite-sized episodes that are instantly bingeable. Unlike most micro-drama platforms that charge for access, Fatafat removes the barrier entirely, expanding the format’s reach across India.
The launch is supported by a humorous digital campaign fronted by comedian-actor Munawar Faruqui. The spots playfully highlight how small spends on paid micro-drama apps could be better used elsewhere, positioning Fatafat as the smarter, no-cost choice for engaging entertainment.
Amazon MX Player head Karan Bedi said, “Our vision has always been to make premium entertainment accessible to everyone, free of cost. With Fatafat, we are extending that promise to the rapidly growing micro-drama category quick, engaging and mobile-first while remaining completely free for viewers across India.”
Amazon MX Player head of content Amogh Dusad added, “Micro-dramas open up exciting creative possibilities for storytelling. With Fatafat, we are building a diverse slate of serialized stories across genres while keeping the experience fast, engaging and accessible to viewers everywhere.”
Munawar Faruqui said, “Today’s entertainment landscape is defined by content that is fast, engaging, and instantly accessible. Shooting for the campaign was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, especially as the scenarios felt incredibly authentic and relatable.”
Fatafat will continue to expand its library with several new titles in the coming months. The destination is available to stream for free on the Amazon MX Player mobile app.
In a country where attention spans are shrinking faster than episode lengths, Amazon MX Player isn’t just joining the micro-drama party,it’s throwing the doors wide open and telling everyone the snacks (and stories) are on the house.
