Big TV is making rapid strides in the DTH market with continuous innovation. Reliance is now going to provide Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) installation service, a customised DTH service, where a single dish antenna can provide DTH connection to multiple households. Hence every household need not install individual dish antennas, as the individual set-top boxes will be linked to a large dish antenna. The Multi-Dwelling Units is primarily targeting group volumes in residential societies, commercial buildings, new township, business parks, etc.
The MDU dish size varies between 90 cms and 120 cms, depending on the number of households it services. Reliance will incur the cost of the hardware and also offer one STB to each household. The option to choose their own channel package including the free regional pack will be available.
This move can get Big TV more subscribers as many residential complexes don't like to have too many dish antennas placed on balconies. Big TV holds 15% of the market share after surpassing 1 million subscriber mark within 3 months of its launch.
Big TV has set-up a network of 350 Direct Sales Agents (DSAs) and 500 member installation team to handle MDU business across India. MDUs have already been installed at over 1500 locations, and the installation process is underway at nearly 4000 locations.
Recently the government announced reduction of Cenvat from 14% to 10%, giving some respite to the DTH players who have been planning to increase the price of their services due to the weakening rupee. However, it remains to be seen if this will affect the cost of STBs.
