GECs
Reliance Infocomm wooing cable operators to push fixed telephony & broadband
MUMBAI: For Anil Ambani, it has been the hardest part of the game. The last mile, crucial for offering triple play services, has so far been elusive.
Now, Ambani has come out with a concrete offer to cable operators. His aim is to push fixed telephony and broadband services with their assistance.
Reliance Infocomm is offering cable operators a 10 per cent margin on gross revenues from data and voice services, sources say. The billing will be handled by Reliance. The telecom company has also promised to invest in the infrastructure, which will include digital loop carriers (DLC), home switches, and Cat 5 cable.
DLC, which is a junction box through which Reliance will push Cat 5 cable, will be installed for every 200 customers of telephony and around 42 customers of broadband Internet. Reliance Infocomm will put in the entire investments.
There is a catch, though. Cable operators will have to put in Rs 100,000 as security deposit for each DLC. And they will not be given any interest on these deposits. “We are making all the investments. We just need a commitment from cable operators,” a source in the company said.
Cable operators, however, are not fully convinced. “Why should we set aside Rs 100,000 for every DLC? We are, after all, going to bring them the customers. Besides, we offer cable Internet on our own,” a last mile operator said.
Cable operators also fear that Reliance will be competing with them as it plans to launch direct-to-home (DTH) television and video services.
Still, for his latest initiative, Ambani has carefully kept video services out of the game so far. He does not want the cable operators to feel that he is entering their turf and could snatch their business away.
Ambani’s sales pitch: cable operators can build in an additional revenue stream. “Cable operators can make money from telephony and broadband in addition to their offering of cable TV services,” says the source.
The big question is: will cable operators bite the bait?
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
