DishTV offer internet services through DTH

DishTv is planning to provide internet connection through the DTH platform. Once the new satellite is operational internet services would be offered. Current DishTV users would have to exchange their STBs and dish to avail the internet service.

Essel Group owned direct-to-home (DTH) service DishTV is all set to extend its satellite channel capacity to 420 with the launch of its own satellite Argani scheduled by the end of June24th this year. Once operational the satellite would also enable DishTV to provide broadband internet service to its subscribers.

DishTV which has offered a free-of-cost set top box (STB) to all new subscribers, is looking at doubling its customer base of 320,000 in next 50 days. The company's plan to double customer base comes ahead of its Rs 800 crore satellite project being handled by Chinese satellite company ProtoStar.

Protostar has almost finalised the schedule for launching DishTV's satellite from Kourou in French Guyana. they expect the launch by the end of June and the satellite would be operational by July. they will then have additional 14 Ku-band and 12 c-band transponders for satellite TV broadcast. DishTV currently holds nine c-band transponders on a European satellite NSS-6 and can show 220 TV channels.

Being the oldest company in the market, it enjoys market leadership compared with its peers Prasarbharati's DD Direct Plus, Tata Sky and Sun TV services.

With the launch of its satellite and the entry of new players such as Reliance and Airtel in the DTH market, DishTV has decided to offer free STBs to all its new subscribers. New subscribers who opt for the annual maxi package worth Rs 3,990 will also get 67 movies-on-demand (MoD) free of cost.