Cable service provider offers subscription at Rs. 100 per month

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 9. Though the debate rages on between the cable operators and the subscribers on the issue of enhanced fee, `Incable', belonging to the Hindujas, appears to have seized the initiative by offering to provide television channels through its network for just Rs. 100.

It has made this proposal to the residents of a few colonies located in Mehdipatnam and said that it was ready to telecast all the television channels on air currently excepting those of the Zee network. And what more, Rs. 10 of the monthly tariff of Rs. 100 would be donated to the local residential welfare associations for taking up various development activities!

Incable's City commercial manager, Mr. Giridhar, explained that the offer was open only for the Mehidipatnam area as it was their first foray there and would help them garner a substantial subscriber base. He, however, admits that "it is difficult to offer the reduced tariff at places where our operators are already functioning. But, the offer could be extended to fertile areas."

He has no qualms in accepting that it makes "perfect business sense" for Incable to offer a change, especially when the subscribers have their knives drawn out against monopolistic tendencies. The question remains, will the new rate work out? "We are in a for a long haul and the subscribers too are not that many," he says.

And, the subscribers are still mulling over the offer. Says the president of Income Tax Officers' Colony, Mr. Hanumantha Rao, "We are considering the offer and trying to find out whether it is workable elsewhere too."

With Incable's initiative, the battle between the cable companies here has taken a new twist. The one offering a lesser price to keep the cable caravan moving forward is at an advantage. Not to be left behind, industry leader, Siticable, has started advertising at the Kukatpally Housing Board Colony that it would provide cable service free of cost!

Though elated, the residents are guarded about the offers. "How long will these enticements continue. Once the furore over cable fee hike dies down, they might effect another hike," members of the newly formed Confederation of Welfare Associations of Twin Cities, a forum of about 68 residential welfare associations, questioned at a meeting at Venkataramana Colony here on Sunday.

Residents to float tenders

Instead, the Forum decided to call for tenders from prospective cable service providers within two weeks. "Let there be healthy competition. We will accept bids that are reasonable and those that come with conditions that are favourable to us. If we fail to get a decent offer, we will rather instal our own systems," Dr. M. Gowri Shankara Rao and Mr. K. Anjaneyulu of the Confederation said. "We will evaluate the feasibility and costing of installing dish antennae independently."

The office-bearers of 68 welfare associations that comprise the Forum appealed to subscribers to maintain a status quo in the cable fee, "unless they reached an amicable solution with the local operator."

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Section  : Southern States
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