Akash DTH slashes connection fee to hook housebound customers

The country's lone direct-to-home service provider Akash DTH has slashed the connection charge by Tk 1,000 to reach out to more people who are spending more time in front of their TV sets owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Akash DTH currently has 1 lakh connections.

However, there are a huge number of illegal connections linked with DTH companies based in India such as Dish TV, Tata Sky, Airtel Digital, Sun Direct and so on, in a testament to the aspirations and spending capacity of Bangladesh's upwardly mobile population brought on by the country's decade of solid economic growth.

In DTH, TV channels are transmitted from the satellite to a small dish antenna mounted on the window or rooftop of the subscriber's home, resulting in lucid picture and sound quality and a greater selection of channels offered by the cable operators.

"The potential is huge as people are increasingly replacing their traditional TV sets with smarter ones, said an official of the company on condition of anonymity. 

So far, the government has awarded two licences to introduce the DTH service in Bangladesh. The other licence holder is not operational at present.

If not DTH, the next best option for customers are digital cable, which can be obtained by way of Bengal Digital and Jadoo Digital.

Despite the pandemic-induced economic slowdown, sales have been stable, said Quazi Shakil Mahmud, senior manager for brand activation of Beximco Communications.

People are spending more time at home for fearing of catching coronavirus and this has multiplied their TV viewing.

They now realise more how much they have been deprived of quality viewing with their conventional connection, said Muhammad Abul Khair Chowdhury, head of marketing and strategic sales of Akash, which started its journey in May last year.

To make the most of the momentum and gain a solid footing in the up-and-coming DTH market, Akash has revised the connection charge.

"We want to take the service to more households," Mahmud said.

A new connection of the modern TV connectivity technology now costs Tk 4,499, said the service, owned by Beximco Communications, in a press release yesterday. 

Interested customers can avail the new connections from authorised sales points or by calling 16442 or through online order on www.akashdth.com.

The service provider will install the connections on the premises of customers with full safety, precautions and care.

The connection includes HD Set Top Box, user-friendly multi-function remote control unit, heat- and rain-resistant Akash-branded Universal KU band dish, necessary cable, connectors and other accessories.

Akash subscribers can watch 34 national and 89 international channels. All the channels are available for Tk 399, including VAT, per month under the standard package and Tk 250 under the Lite pack, the press release said. 

Subscribers also can take add-on packs according to their desire that brings flexibility to choose and select. This is also a unique feature and is not available for any other service provider, it said. 

Akash is available in 64 districts and can be viewed from any corner of Bangladesh with the same quality.