Airtel Digital TV. Review on Airtel Digital TV

Airtel digital TV is value for money. Currently they are offering best channel packages and reception.

After Reliance, AirTel has also jumped into the fray and is launching their Direct-To-Home(DTH) satellite TV service - Airtel Digital TV, on October 9th. Airtel Digital TV will be available in 62 cities in the first phase through 21000 Airtel retail and relationship centers.

With over 175 channels, the packages will start from Rs. 2499 for a six-month subscription in which the channel price band will range from Rs. 99 to Rs. 424. Airtel Digital TV will use MPEG4 standard with DVB S2 technology. The system is claimed to be HD ready and expected to deliver quality interactive content. The set top box will bundle with a universal remote. The dish antenna is 20% larger than the conventional antenna for better performance during adverse weather conditions. Airtel Digital TV also boasts of high set top box memory for new interactive applications such as iMatinee(cinema ticketbooking), iTravel(browse and book travel packages), iShop(tele-shopping), iCity(city information guide) and Widgets(stocks) along with eight screen iNews and iSports with 2/4 screens.

Apart from this, other features such as Worldspace Radio content, new games every six weeks and on screen account meter are packaged with the Digital TV. Airtel has to show difference in their product and services to stand strong amongst existing DTH segment players like Tata Sky, Zee Dish TV, Sun Direct DTH and Reliance Big TV. The DTH segment in India is slowly firing up and is leading to stiff competition for the local cable TV operators.

(N.B.: THE ABOVE TEXT IN ITALICS IS  RELATED TO CRUDE SPECIFICATION AND  HAS BEEN COPIED  FROM  A BROADBAND FORUM WITHOUT ALTERATION, ALL OF THEM BEING VERIFIED BY ME AS AN END USER.)

Airtel are providing quick response customer service, which they are known for. My installation took less than 16 hours after request made. Their technicians are well qualified and well spoken.

They are smartly dressed too with an'Airtel' uniform. They are equipped with PDAs to contact their administration. The only odds against is their poorly developed website which hardly provides information about top-ups etc. Hope this issue is gonna resolved soon as they are still in development phase.

Currently I have a package called megatreat free for three months. It costed INR2399 including installation. I can view 125 channels but still need a Rs30 topup/month to watch Neo package(3 channels). My package was under friends and family offer weeks back from the commercial launch.

For non sport freaks, my suggestion is the Gold package@ INR200/month(Initial cost INR2500, free for 6 months including installation and set top box price).

For sports crazy persons, I would suggest the platinum pack@ INR300/month(Initial cost INR3500, free for 6 months including installation and set top box price).

For economical users, initial pack of INR2000, 6 months including installation and set top box price is just enough. After free period of 6 months, it'll cost just INR99/month.

The recharge can be done through coupons(available at all airtel outlets where mobile phone coupons are sold), online banking etc. You can keep your A/c over charged in advance.

One can also opt for partial package; means if a cricket series is just gonna end within a fortnight, you can opt  for corresponding sports channel top-up(if not free) just for 15 or say 16/17/18 or any no. of days you want and believe me, you will be charged for that period only.

The toll free number 1800 102 80 80 is accessible from airtel landlines/mobiles only.

*And for those who think I am writing this review without having used the product,

*Please contact me