Tech Shout!

Reliance Communications has formed an alliance with Malayalam television network Asianet to offer news and various other programs aired by the channel on cellular phones.

Kerala circle head of Reliance Communications Ashok Ghose and Asianet Managing Editor K.P. Mohan said that the news and programs being aired by Asianet would be aired on the data service group of Reliance Mobile. Apart from watching the video streaming of the news on the mobile sets, people across the country can also download video clips of popular programs telecasted by the channel.

To avail of the service, customers would have to pay downloading charges for a session and it would not be metered minute by minute. The duration of the session would not be counted for fixing the rates. Globally, TV on mobile had registered an impressive growth, and the sales of TV-enabled handsets grew by 140 per cent this year.

Under the service, access to streaming content, at Rs 15 per session, is currently available only on select Nokia mobile phones.

Video clips of news and other programs, available on all Java-enabled phones, can be downloaded at rates ranging from Rs 7 to Rs 10 per clip, depending on the content.

“We are delighted to offer this service that is powered by the technological advantage of our network” says Reliance Communications circle head Ashok Ghose. “This initiative is in line with our commitment to fulfilling customer aspirations that is changing constantly. We hope that all viewers of Asianet and Reliance mobile customers will enjoy this new mobile TV concept, which provides access to the Asianet News live whenever, and wherever they are within the purview of the Reliance network.” he continued.

Reliance Communications has already roped in Aaj Tak, CNBC, Eenaadu TV, NDTV and Times Now for similar services. Mohan said that in the wake of the changing work culture, the use of mobile TV was all set to go up.