Atria Convergence Technologies or ACT Fibernet is looking to counter JioFiber and other Internet Service Providers (ISP) in the country through bundled content offerings. Broadband operators in the country are focusing heavily on offering OTT app subscriptions for free to the customers so that the users will join. ACT Fibernet is also looking to follow the same route. The Bengaluru-based company already has partnerships with OTT platforms like Netflix, ZEE5, Yupp TV, Hungama, HOOQ and SonyLIV. However, ACT Fibernet aims to become an integrated platform by providing services such as gaming and smart home experiences. This sounds very much identical to JioFiber and it's smart home services where users can experience games and virtual reality services.
ACT Fibernet Wants to Become One-Stop Shop for Content
Speaking with Livemint, ACT Fibernet, CEO, Bala Malladi, stated “We are not the masters of the universe when it comes to content. We can, however, become a one-stop-shop for you and deliver content through partnerships." ACT Fibernet already has some content partnerships in place, however, the ISP is not providing any full-fledged free content subscription to the users.
Earlier this year in March, ACT Fibernet partnered with Netflix to provide up to Rs 500 discount on monthly Netflix bill if a customer opts to pay it via ACT Fibernet. So here's how it works- ACT Fibernet has launched some ACT Entertainment plans in select cities and these plans ship with a discount offer for Netflix. If a customer opts for Netflix subscription through ACT Fibernet, the company will provide a discount of up to Rs 500 on monthly Netflix bill. Assume if you're in Hyderabad and on the ACT Giga plan of Rs 5,999 that offers Rs 500 discount on Netflix subscription; If you choose the Netflix Basic plan worth Rs 500, then ACT Fibernet will provide the Rs 500 discount, thus making the subscription entirely free. The minimum discount provided by ACT Fibernet is Rs 250 and the maximum is Rs 500.
In addition, these Netflix plans also ship with extra data compared to the standard broadband plans of ACT Fibernet. "If you subscribe to Netflix through us, you will get a discounted price. We also have a lot of events planned around the gaming community, which is a loyal customer base for us," added Bala further.
Likewise, ACT Fibernet is offering one month of ZEE5 subscription worth Rs 99 for new customers, post which users can pay to ZEE5 through ACT Fibernet bill. All the ACT Fibernet users will be eligible for Yupp TV subscription free for six months and SonyLIV subscription for one month.
Bharti Airtel is Unbeatable in the Content Offerings Segment
JioFiber stated that it would provide OTT apps subscription through its broadband plans, but the company did not reveal any details. When it comes to content offerings, Bharti Airtel is the leader as the broadband plans of Airtel V-Fiber come with almost all the popular OTT service subscriptions available in India. Airtel Broadband plans above Rs 1,099 ship with all the Airtel Thanks membership benefits. Customers of Airtel V-Fiber will be eligible for free Netflix membership worth Rs 1,5000 for three months, one year of free Amazon Prime membership worth Rs 999, ZEE5 Premium subscription that renews every month, and on top, Airtel Xstream subscription will also be given to the customers. The missing subscription in this list is Hotstar which Jio is expected to provide with its broadband plans.
