iWorld
Tata Communications, Comcast, others collectively win MEF Excellence Award for Third Network PoC Innovation
MUMBAI: Comcast Business, ECI, Sparkle, Tata Communications and Viavi Solutions have collectively won one of two 2016 MEF Excellence Award for its Third Network Proof of Concept innovation. The companies collaborated on an orchestrated, multi-carrier, multi-platform demonstration as part of the Proof of Concept (PoC) Showcase at MEF16, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Recognizing that enterprises today have diverse requirements; the Third Network combines the performance and security assurances together with the agility and ubiquity of the Internet and brings a new network experience to millions of new users.
This award-winning collaboration was designed to showcase how a customer could gain access to flexible bandwidth and applications on-demand without human intervention – enabling unprecedented levels of network control for new and evolving types of cloud-centric applications, for network connectivity services within current network architectures as well as emerging SDN and NFV implementations. For service providers, additional upsides include the drastic reduction of service turn-up time.
During the PoC, the joint innovation simulated the delivery of Ethernet services through the three different network service providers, via an orchestrated environment with flexible bandwidth deployed on demand and connectivity bursting to Amazon Web Services (AWS) when needed.
“The Proof of Concept Showcase allowed MEF16 attendees to witness, first-hand, leading-edge implementations of agile/dynamic, assured, and orchestrated Third Network services powered by LSO, SDN, NFV, and CE 2.0,” said Nan Chen, president of MEF. “We congratulate Comcast Business, Sparkle, Tata Communications, ECI, and Viavi on winning a coveted Proof of Concept Award for demonstrating the ability to provision on-demand Carrier Ethernet services across multiple network operators and multiple technology platforms.”
The PoC showcased how a CE 2.0 E-Line service with a bandwidth on-demand requirement can be provisioned and orchestrated across multiple service and cloud providers using the MEF LSO Reference Architecture. Comcast Business, Tata Communications and Sparkle provided the originating network, the intermediate network and the direct connection into the cloud, respectively. ECI’s EPIC platform with fulfillment functionality developed as part of the OpenLSO fulfillment project provided the means to seamlessly connect these disparate domains. Viavi’s VNF-based service acceptance and testing technology verified the newly created service meets previously defined SLA requirements. The EPIC open source platform works towards a “vendor-agnostic” vision to deliver real-time control and assure network performance across carriers.
MEF is the driving force enabling Third Network services for the digital economy and the hyper-connected world. Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. ECI is a global provider of ELASTIC network solutions to CSPs, critical infrastructures as well as data center operators. Sparkle is the wholly owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia Group (NYSE: TI) with the mission to develop and consolidate the Italian telco’s international services business.
Tata Communications along with its subsidiaries is a leading global provider of A New World of Communications™. With a leadership position in emerging markets, Tata Communications leverages its advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network to deliver managed solutions to multi-national enterprises, service providers and Indian consumers.
Viavi is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions to communications service providers, enterprises and their ecosystems, supported by a worldwide channel community including Viavi Velocity Solution Partners.
iWorld
Prime Video unveils biggest India originals slate yet
Nearly 55 titles across languages signal deeper push into films, series
MUMBAI: Prime Video is turning up the volume on Indian storytelling, unveiling its largest-ever Originals slate at the ‘Prime Video Presents’ showcase, with close to 55 series and films spanning languages, genres and formats.
The new lineup, which stretches across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, signals a clear intent: go bigger, go wider, and meet audiences wherever they are watching, whether on streaming screens or in cinemas. Alongside Originals, the platform also announced a fresh theatrical slate under Amazon MGM Studios, marking a deeper step into the big-screen business.
Among the headline acts is The Revolutionaries, a large-scale drama from Nikkhil Advani starring Bhuvan Bam and Rohit Saraf. The slate also features Matka King with Vijay Varma, Raakh starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre, and Lukkhe, which marks rapper King’s acting debut. Adding a genre twist is Vansh – The Kalyug Warriors, positioned as India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series for streaming.
Familiar favourites are also making a return, with new seasons of Farzi, Panchayat, Call Me Bae, Dupahiya, Dahaad and The Traitors in the pipeline, reinforcing the platform’s bet on established franchises.
Regional storytelling gets a notable push. Highlights include a Telugu adaptation of The Traitors hosted by Teja Sajja, the drama Guvvala Cheruvu Ghat, and Tamil titles such as Exam and returning seasons of Vadhandhi and Inspector Rishi.
The slate also opens new creative partnerships. Hrithik Roshan’s HRX Films steps into streaming with Storm and Mess, while Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions backs Don’t Be Shy. Production houses including Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films and The Viral Fever further deepen the creative bench.
On the theatrical front, the platform is lining up five films, including Raftaar starring Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh, VIBE directed by Kunal Kemmu, Dilkashi with music by A. R. Rahman, Nayyi Navelli featuring Yami Gautam, and Kuku Ki Kundli starring Wamiqa Gabbi.
According to Prime Video India director and head of Svod business Shilangi Mukherji, India remains central to the platform’s global growth, ranking among its top markets for new subscribers. She noted that nearly two-thirds of users watch content in more than four languages, underlining a growing appetite for diverse storytelling.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the new slate reflects a continued push towards bold, culturally rooted narratives with global appeal.
In short, Prime Video is not just adding titles, it is widening the lens. From small-town dramas to superhero sagas and cinema-ready spectacles, the message is simple: more stories, more voices, and far more ways to watch them.
