iWorld
NxtDigital launches its broadband-over-satellite solution ‘NxtSkyFi’
Mumbai : Media and communications company, NxtdDigital Ltd, has introduced “NxtSkyFi,” a broadband-over-satellite (BOS) service. Over Diwali, the BOS service in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland was officially launched in the picturesque town of Tawang. The BOS service will gradually be made available to the rest of India.
Speaking at a function that was attended by leading dignitaries including in-charge DC of Tawang Rinchin Leta, BJP National Party Minority Morcha leader Tsetan Chombey; DRDA Tawang project director Tenzin Jambey, and other senior civil servants;
DIPRO of Tawang Nawang Chita, lauded NxtDigital for its launch of its BOS service and pointed out, “This launch coincides with a historic day for Arunachal Pradesh. We are proud to have the service inaugurated here. We urge NxtDigital to provide such services that augment the lives of citizens by providing education and so many other digital services – across all of Arunachal Pradesh and the north-east of India quickly.”
The NxtSkyFi BOS offering is unique in that it is a bundled offering that gives clients access to services like interactive learning, digital movie on demand, over-the-top (OTT) TV, and other online solutions, rather than merely a “passive Internet pipe.” In addition to signing on with top OTT platforms, it has already onboarded two major partners, Tata Studi and Jadooz, to bring infotainment content to the last mile.
Tata ClassEdge chief business officer at Sachin Torne said, “Tata Studi is an award-winning interactive learning solution founded on the science of learning – giving students access to a highly effective learning method, recommended by learning scientists.”
Jadooz, a company founded by Padmashree Shobana and veteran media executive Rahul Nehra is focused on interactive big-screen education and entertainment, with a focus on rural and emerging markets. Jadooz has already launched 20 centres in India where NxtSkyFi will partner for its BOS solution.
NxtDigital chief business officer Sameer Kanse said, “NxtSkyFi is an innovative solution. For retail users it goes beyond uninterrupted internet connectivity to offer real solutions to enrich the lives of customers, through our partnerships. For OTT providers, it leverages our connectivity together with over 1,500 locations-based Edge content delivery network (CDN) solutions to address low latency requirements – enhancing the user experience, facilitating higher subscriber addition and retention. For enterprises, we have a myriad of solutions including bundling BOS with fiber connectivity for optimal reach and cost-efficiency.”
NxtDigital’s strategy is to use its vast network of over 10,000 digital service partners and presence in over 4,500 pin codes across India to deliver a variety of solutions ranging from education and healthcare to information and entertainment. The BOS solution will be an important component of the company’s national “NXTmesh” network project, which aims to integrate connectivity across India via its own fibre and the vast national fibre network of its partners. The emphasis will continue to be on providing innovative business models and dependable connectivity solutions to its retail and enterprise customers.
NxtDigital managing director and CEO Vynsley Fernandes pointed out, “The launch of NxtSkyFi is in line with our vision to build out a pan-India network of digital infrastructure to fulfill our government’s objective of a digital and truly ‘connected’ India. This launch fits in with our expanding portfolio of digital TV via fiber and HITS and our terrestrial broadband connectivity which has expanded significantly over the last couple of years.”
He added, “The recent launch of our OneDigital product will also ride on the back of our BOS initiative bringing television, broadband, OTT, VoIP, WIFI and CCTV solutions to markets where reliable connectivity is a challenge. The launch of our broadband over satellite service also triggers off the first phase of our relationship with Thaicom – as we look to work together to bring emerging solutions to India.”
According to the binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) between NxtDigital and Thaicom, the plan is to develop and offer a portfolio of global emerging digital solutions that are critical to the mission of a digital India. Thaicom has already developed and deployed satellite artificial intelligence solutions in other parts of the world, including space-based data technologies for agriculture, disaster relief, and natural resource management, as well as public WIFI systems and drones to supplement rural digital solutions.
Given India’s heavy reliance on agriculture and the current difficulties in crop management, satellite-based AI will be helpful in providing readily accessible mission-critical data. Additionally, both businesses have decided to establish a Center for Excellence to use artificial intelligence and analytics to develop new satellite and associated digital-based technologies, utilising their respective reputations for deep-tech research and development.
iWorld
Subedaar puts Indian original cinema on the global map with record-breaking Prime Video debut
MUMBAI: Prime Video has a runaway hit on its hands. Subedaar, the gritty action drama starring Anil Kapoor, has stormed to become the most-watched Indian original movie on the platform in its opening weekend, cracking the Top 10 across 31 countries and landing in 91 per cent of India’s pin codes within days of its March 5 premiere.
The film, a visceral, emotionally-charged story of a retired soldier, Subedaar Arjun Maurya, wrestling with civilian life amid crime and corruption, has struck a nerve. Directed by Suresh Triveni and co-starring Radhikka Madan, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, and Khushboo Sundar, the film is already being hailed as a showcase for what Indian original storytelling can achieve on the world stage.
“Subedaar’s success is a reflection of the growing scale and global resonance of Indian storytelling,” said Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India. “The film’s emotional narrative, its rooted portrayal of a soldier confronting his toughest battles beyond the battlefield, has struck a chord. Anil Kapoor delivers an acting masterclass, while Suresh Triveni’s solid direction and great performances from the ensemble cast have resulted in love and appreciation from customers across the world.”
Kapoor, 62, has been here before, but rarely at this altitude. Written by Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar, with dialogues by Triveni, Saurabh Dwivedi, and Chandrashekar, the film is a production by Opening Image Films in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network (AKFCN), produced by Vikram Malhotra, Kapoor, and Triveni.
Subedaar streams exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across India, and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
For Prime Video, the numbers tell the real story: one weekend, one film, a global footprint, and a very loud signal that Indian original cinema is no longer just travelling well. It’s arriving.
