Airtel launches Androidenabled settop box, with Netflix, Youtube

Bharti Airtel has launched a hybrid set-top box integrating its DTH (direct-to home) offering with Google’s Android TV OS, with apps includ ing Netflix and Youtube, in a bid to keep its platform relevant for users who are increasingly mov ing to ‘non-linear TV’ and raise its average revenue per user.

“Buoyed with the change in consumption of video on online platforms, we are looking at how to change the way people watch TV. We will look to become a one stop solution for customers with multiple services such as broad band, DTH and cellular net work,” Sunil Taldar, CEO and director of DTH, Bharti Airtel said.

Users will need a broadband connection.

Called Internet TV, the new set-top box has Netflix pre-loaded (although users will need a sepa rate subscription). Taldar said that the company is also talking to Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar and Voot for partnerships.

The move comes even as Airte reported a lower average revenue per user of ₹175 in the December quarter, compared to ₹201 the previous quarter.

“Airtel’s one-stop solution for customers may go some way to improve data ARPUS,” Mahesh Uppal, director of Com Firs (India) Pvt Ltd, a company tha specialises in telecom policy and regulation, said.

Airtel’s broadband ARPU fel to ₹1,112 in the December quarter from ₹1,143 the previous quarter

Airtel’s new STB is available on Amazon for ₹4,999, which includes a month’s subscription to all channels and ₹7,999, which includes a year’s subscription.