Prasar Bharati, RailTel, and PlayboxTV Launch Freedom Plan for Digital India
Affordable high-speed internet and OTT services expand reach to underserved areas
New Delhi, November 25, 2024 — India’s public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, has mapped out new terrain in the digital broadcasting space with the launch of its OTT platform, WAVES, partnering with RailTel Corporation and PlayboxTV to introduce the 'Freedom Plan.' This initiative aims to provide affordable high-speed internet and bundled entertainment content, significantly targeting tier 2 and 3 cities and rural India, where quality broadband services remain elusive.
During the launch, which drew attention to digital accessibility, Aamir Mulani, the founder and CEO of PlayboxTV, expressed excitement over being the first OTT aggregation platform to onboard Prasar Bharati’s WAVES. Mulani stated, "It is very exciting to see Prasar Bharati, India’s premier entertainment and infotainment hub, launch its very own OTT platform Waves. I feel proud to be the first OTT aggregation platform to onboard them and offer it to our customers. The Freedom Plan, priced at Rs. 299 monthly, I feel it is the perfect entertainment plan for every household in India."
Designed primarily for underserved regions, the Freedom Plan not only accommodates internet access but also integrates ten premium OTT services, including WAVES, with high-speed internet connectivity. The plan features 30 Mbps internet, over 400 live TV channels, and access to more than 200 gaming titles, making it both affordable and rich with content. Sanjai Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director of RailTel, emphasized the plan’s intention to bridge the digital divide, stating, "Our home internet service RailWire aims to bring affordable internet to underserved parts of the country."
Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, focused on the importance of delivering content to families across demographics, insisting, "The Freedom Plan delivers content for all age groups including children, youth, adults, and senior citizens, making it a perfect fit for family consumption." This holistic approach aims to empower families by enhancing connectivity and enabling access to various entertainment options. The WAVES platform boasts 65 live channels, on-demand video services, radio streaming, and e-commerce features as part of its offerings.
The launch of WAVES itself marks Prasar Bharati's step toward exploring contemporary digital trends. The WAVES app, which was launched during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024, allows users to stream classic and modern content, combining the nostalgia of Indian classics such as Mahabharat and Ramayan with vibrant contemporary programming. Available on various devices, it promises to provide multilingual content across more than 12 languages, including Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil, aiming to resonate with diverse Indian cultures.
The significant connection between traditional broadcasting and the future of digital content delivery cannot be overlooked. With the government’s BharatNet project extending broadband facilities to rural areas and enhancing connectivity, Prasar Bharati’s strategies are poised to increase internet accessibility significantly. "Mobile services are continuously growing, and our platform will be available to more people through mobile internet," Dwivedi noted, acknowledging the accelerating digital transformation across the nation.
Highlighting the empowerment through digital literacy, the Freedom Plan was forged as part of India’s vision to become a knowledge economy. The collaboration is meant to protect consumers and harmonize entertainment experiences across all social segments. With the continuous growth of the digital populace, the focus remains on integrating each user within the country’s digital narrative, ensuring everyone has continuously available access to both information and entertainment.
Prasar Bharati’s tactics do not overlook educational engagements, covering academic initiatives and interactive platforms for young viewers, thereby creating powerful engagement opportunities across age spectrums. The platform aims to not only entertain but also to educate viewers on various topics, potentially reaching out with initiatives like cybersecurity awareness programs.
To summarize, the Freedom Plan is not merely about providing internet access; it is about constructing meaningful narratives around family-friendly entertainment. With seamless connectivity at the forefront, Prasar Bharati, RailTel, and PlayboxTV together stride forward on the digital engagement frontier, combining quality access with enriching content to transform the entertainment experience for millions across India.
"This collaboration marks our commitment to making high-quality, family-friendly entertainment accessible to every corner of the nation," Dwivedi concluded. The remarkable partnership, solidified by the introduction of the Freedom Plan, clearly embodies the larger vision of achieving connectivity and education for all.
India’s digital narrative is being redefined, and with initiatives like these, the grasp of engaging content now promises to reach all corners of the country, making every home part of the ever-expanding digital community.
