Event Coverage
File transfer & global collaboration: Telstra & IBM Aspera team up
MUMBAI: IBM has announced that Telstra has selected IBM Aspera to deliver simple, fast and secure media file transfer capability for Telstra Global Media Network (GMN) over the internet powered by Aspera Files.
Custom built for the media industry, GMN combines Telstra’s high-capacity submarine fiber cable network, with access to four teleports and over 40 satellites covering strategic media hubs across Asia, Europe, the United States and Australia. As an alternative to traditional media delivery, GMN utilizes the proven power and performance of Aspera Files to share and exchange content of any size, from any connected location, with anyone.
Telstra GMN was developed in response to rapid growth of video on-demand consumption, providing customers with support for a broad range of media content formats, resolutions and access requirements including live stream and file based media. Using the joint solution by Telstra and Aspera, GMN customers can quickly and reliably share content around the world whether it’s a broadcaster wanting to source a timely critical sports event, or content producers delivering a television program between production facilities.
Telstra’s GMN is supported by satellite and fiber infrastructure on a fully redundant low latency network coupled with 24×7 international monitoring, support and management from Master Control Rooms in Sydney and Hong Kong ensuring timely delivery of digital assets to meet the most stringent production deadlines.
The deep API-based integration of the multi-tenant Aspera Files SaaS platform provides a comprehensive file sharing and delivery solution that is immediately available and can be accessed and redirected from the Telstra GMN online portal. Via Telstra’s GMN online portal customers can schedule services from their preferred location, with a choice of different performance and management levels. Customers are also able to select additional services including media file transfer via Aspera Files and record to file functionality which records live feeds and saves content to digital files to be sent via media file transfer to customers.
“The Telstra Global Media Network was built to empower our global customers to swiftly and smartly grasp the incredible opportunity at hand with the rise of demand for content,” said Telstra Broadcast Services head Trevor Boal. “With a strategic focus on the delivery of live global sports broadcasting, Telstra continues to invest heavily to bring the best solutions and technology to market for broadcast customers. Partnering with the innovative architecture of the Aspera Files SaaS naturally satisfied our goals to scale across multiple cloud storage environments while adding value to the customer experience with GMN.”
“The technical strengths of the Telstra network combined with the high-performance large content sharing and delivery capabilities of Aspera Files enables customers in the media community to enjoy both the highest quality application and infrastructure and to have a future-proof home for their most advanced media workflows,” said John Wastcoat, Vice President of Business Development at Aspera.
The solution takes full advantage of the most advanced features of the Files platform:
• Fine-grained access controls per Workspace to allow each media Client an area to upload, share and manage media content and preview video and images.
• Send packages of files and directories of any size to other workspace members and external users.
• Personal and “dropbox” invitation links for others to submit content and metadata.
• Seamlessly connect virtually any public cloud storage via the Aspera Transfer Service to manage and scale out the storage available to clients as GMN evolves.
• Drag-and-drop files and folders to initiate transfers locally or between regions around the world, with direct access to Telstra’s chosen storage.
Aspera is demonstrating Aspera Files SaaS and the Aspera Multi-Cloud High-Speed Transfer Service, alongside its entire portfolio of high-speed file transfer, sharing and exchange solutions at NAB 2017 taking place 24-27 April in Las Vegas.
Telstra is demonstrating the Global Media Network along with its complete portfolio of network solutions at NAB 2017.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
