Chennai : The state-run Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation which declared profit for the first time ever since commencement of operation is gearing up to offer broadband and other internet services to its customers soon.
Making an announcement in the Assembly under Rule 110, Tamil Nadu Chief Minsiter J Jayalalithaa said that Arasu Cable is providing ‘high quality’ cable TV service to the people of the State, for Rs 70 a month.
“Through cable operators, it (Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable Corporation) will provide broadband service at low prices. This will be offered by joining hands with those who have broadband licences,” said the Chief Minister, who also announced Rs 40 crore worth new building for Tamilnadu State Data Centre, at a 5,000 sq ft space. which will store all the vital online data of various govt departments related to the e-governance practices.
A Near Line Disaster Recovery Centre will be established at a cost of Rs five crore to preserve and retrieve government data during the occurrence of unforeseen natural disasters. and an e-mail group will be created at a cost of Rs one crore for government officials, to ensure safe and fast communication, said the Chief Minister.
Jayalalithaa said Cloud Services and Web-hosting Services will be provided to students and young entrepreneurs at a low cost and Rs 50 lakh will be earmarked for this and an internet-based encyclopaedia of Tamil arts and culture.
Many Cable service providers like Hathway and Siti cable were offering such kind of internet services and it seems Arasu Cable is trying to follow the same route. However, It will be interesting to see how and with whom the TN Government is going to source the Internet Service and how the poorly equipped end operators will be able to delivers a seamless internet services.
It may be noted that the MSO has posted net profit of Rs 12.02 crore (Rs 120.2 million) in FY14, its first ever since it came into existence in 2011.
