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
X launches XChat messaging app on iOS with calls and encryption
Standalone app marks shift from “everything app” vision, adds E2E messaging.
MUMBAI: From one big app to many small chats, X seems to be splitting its ambitions. X has rolled out its standalone messaging app, XChat, to iOS users, opening up a new front in its evolving product strategy. The app allows users to connect with existing X contacts through private and group messages, file sharing, as well as audio and video calls. The launch follows a limited beta phase, where the platform tested the product with a smaller user base to refine the experience. Now available publicly, XChat marks a notable pivot from earlier ambitions championed by Elon Musk to turn X into a single “everything app” combining messaging, payments, commerce and more.
Instead, the company under xAI ownership and backed by SpaceX appears to be building a suite of standalone applications, each targeting specific use cases while expanding its broader ecosystem.
At launch, XChat includes end-to-end encrypted messaging, PIN-based access, disappearing messages, and features such as message editing, deletion for all participants, and screenshot blocking. The company has also said the app is free from advertisements and tracking mechanisms, positioning it as a privacy-first alternative in a crowded messaging space.
However, security claims around the platform are likely to face scrutiny. Earlier iterations of XChat drew criticism from experts who argued it fell short of established encrypted platforms like Signal. With the wider rollout, the app is expected to undergo fresh evaluation to assess whether those concerns have been addressed.
Beyond messaging, XChat will also house X’s Communities feature, which is being discontinued on the main platform due to low usage and spam concerns. Migrating these users could provide an early boost to adoption, effectively turning XChat into both a communication and community hub.
The move underscores a broader recalibration at X less about cramming everything into one app, and more about spreading bets across multiple touchpoints, one message at a time.
