Indian DTH space is gradually becoming more competitive due to new entrants i.e. Reliance (Big TV), Airtel DTH and Videocon’s D2H Plus. Big TV will start its DTH operations from August 15 while Airtel and Videocon may launch their DTH services in September. There will be hectic activity in this space due to intense competition and wide scope to grow. Indian DTH players: 1. Dish TV: Largest private DTH player.2. Tata Sky: More than 2 million customers.3. DD Direct: Free service.4. Sun Direct: Strong player in South India.5. Big Digital TV (Reliance Communications): Big expectations.6. Airtel Digital TV: It will be launched in September.7. Videocon DTH: It may be launched in October. Old players like Dish TV and Tata Sky are using MPEG-2 technology while new players along with existing Sun Direct are using MPEG-4 technology which enables players to broadcast high quality video content along with more channels in the same bandwidth. About Indian DTH space: Allowed in: July 2006Total customers: 13 millionTotal Cable TV households: 75 million households. Big TV is planning to acquire 5 million customers within 6 months of its launch while current top player Dish TV set target to acquire 5 million customers by March, 2009. Customers will get good bargaining prices due to intense competition among cash rich players. We will see heavy fall in prices in DTH space as it happened in mobile space. My suggestion: Please wait for another 2 months and then select the best DTH player who is offering good customer service at reasonable price. Good News for HDTV owners: Big TV is planning to introduce HDMI set top boxes (STBs) after some time.  … [Read more...]