Zee reintroduces and brands CAS as Galaxzee

Mumbai,Dec 7 (UNI) Wire and Wireless India Limited (WWIL) Chief Executive Officer Jagjit Singh Kohli today announced the launch of digital cable service branded ''Galaxzee'', which will offer a range of services including internet, chat, e-mails on existing television sets without the necessity of having a desktop on a single Set To Box (STB).

Addressing media persons here at the press club, he said with Conditional Acess System (CAS) being mandated for implementation in the notified areas of Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta with effect from Janauary 1, 07, Galaxzee offers the most advanced and economical CAS system as compared to other Multi System Operators(MSO).

He pinpointed that CAS was mandated by the parliament in 2002 and a notice to this effect was issued in 2003. Ironically, sections of the media misrepresented the facts on the utility of CAS, which led to a huge hue and cry from cable operators and consumers.

Ultimately, the government withdrew the notification under pressure and due to the fear of electoral losses. However, the new notification is more in favour of the consumers as the Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has stepped in with new clauses protecting consumer interests, he added.

Kohli further said, TRAI has finalised Rs 77 for all the Free to Air, (FTA) channels and a maximum MRP of Rs 5 per channel in the new notification. Hence, the payout will only be between Rs 250 to Rs 300 for almost all channels, including the FTA charge, he added.

In addition, TRAI has also directed cable operators to provide the STB. Hence, operators will provide STB on a refundable deposit of Rs 250 and rent of Rs 45 per month or at a refundable deposit of Rs 999 with a rental fee of Rs 30 per month, he added.

Kohli also informed that among other features being introduced by WWIL, are Movie on Demand(MOD)and Video on Demand(V0D), where consumers can play, pause, rewind and forward a particular movie or program. In addition to that, Pay Per View (PPV), Interactive Games, Smart card based real time payment solution, E-Banking and also Voip services through the same STB.

WWIL, the largest cable TV company serving around 9.3 million customers across 43 cities in India, is a part of the ESSEL Group and is emerging as a seperate listed company as a result of the ongoing restructuring of Zee Telefilms Limited.

The restructuring will eventually split Zee Telefilms Limited into four entites under Essel. The four are Zee Entertainment to look after entertainment, Zee News for all news related items and contents, Dish Television, again a seperate listed company, and WWIL, which will concentrate on cable television and triple play.

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