And now, internet on cable network

PUNE, APRIL 12: Surfing channels aimlessly? You now have a better option on hand. You can surf the net in the privacy of your home throug...

PUNE, APRIL 12: Surfing channels aimlessly? You now have a better option on hand. You can surf the net in the privacy of your home through the local cable operator. What8217;s more 8212; you even have access to the Education-to-Home ETH concept promoted by the well-known Dr Vijay Bhatkar and catch up on your studies. No more boring coaching classes. Should things get too hot to handle, your favourite Channel V or Star Sports is always available at the flick of a button. And you can sink back in relaxation.

Dishnet Ltd, an enterprise of the Sterling group of companies is all set to launch private internet services on cable network in association with the city-based Silicon Mountains India Pvt Ltd from May 1. This is probably the first time in the country that such an ambitious efforts is being made using the local cable network. The services will initially be launched in Kothrud and then branched out to the Sadashiv Peth, Shivajinagar, Narayan Peth and Karve Road at a later stage through the optic fibre networklaid across the city.

Chairman of ETH Research Laboratory Dr Vijay Bhatkar told The Indian Express that they were planning to provide the entire internet services through Dishnet including internet, E-mail, internet news, multi-media services, tele-shopping and interactive media. More importantly, students of Std IX, Std X, Std XI an Std XII now have access to course content of their syllabus, thanks to the efforts taken by former vice chancellor of Pune University Prof Ram Takawale who has designed the entire course content.

Chairman of Silicon Mountains India Pvt Ltd S S Patil revealed that they had already received a tremendous response from the residents of Kothrud. At least 20 per cent of the customers have already approached us for this purpose. All that is required for this purpose is the television set, a head end-equipment which connected to the Dishnet infrastructure and a cable modem at the subscriber end.

Patil said that although the price of the cable modem was presently Rs 15,000,they were making efforts to reduce these rates. While he was not willing to divulge the actual details of the rates that would apply for the internet, he made it clear that these would be fixed at 50 per cent of the existing rates imposed by VSNL Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.

He also declined the divulge details of the rates applied to the ETH services. Silicon Mountains India Pvt Ltd has installed a 60 km hi-tech optic fibre cable from the head end control room at Sawarkar Bhavan to various parts of Pune through Pune Associated Cable PAC Network. The company has taken the assistance of Snehal Cable Communications Pvt Ltd in Kothrud.

According to Dr Bhatkar, the 64 kbps bandwidth would ensure that there would be no interruptions in the services and also no load because of this bandwidth. The project is expected to begin on an experimental basis in the city at 25 places. Silicon Mountains will be providing 67 video channels, information channels, video on demand, telephony services and ETHservices.