MUMBAI: The independent multi system operators (MSOs) from the southern part of the country are working towards getting their act right in order to be able to successfully complete digitisation and also reap maximum benefits from it.

In the latest, the independent MSOs from Bengaluru, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala met in the IT city to discuss issues relating to digitisation, deals with broadcasters and the carriage fees.  

In the same meeting, the independent MSOs decided to form a South Indian Federation, which will be officially launched in Kerala in December.

“The broadcasters deal differently with national MSOs and the regional independent MSOs. So, we have decided to come together as one team,” informs Sagar E Technologies executive director Sudhish Kumar.

The federation will have 20 headends under it, currently catering to 30 lakh subscribers across Bengaluru, Telangana, AP, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.  “We have realised that coming together will not only help us get better deals from the broadcasters, but we can have representation even in the DAS task force,” he says.

This group of independent MSOs is also looking at getting the value added services (VAS) on one platform, using one middleware. “A technical team has already been formed for this and they are working on getting the service in place,” says Kumar adding that having small number of VAS is not profitable. “If we come together, then we can attract bigger partners for VAS, which is an added revenue stream,” he informs.

The independent MSOs in the south have realised that broadband is the biggest revenue spinner. “The ultimate goal of coming together is having a strong broadband infrastructure and consumer base,” concludes Kumar.