ACT Fibernet Launches 1 Gbps Fiber Optics-backed Broadband in Hyderabad

Bengaluru-based ACT (Atria Convergence Technologies) Fibernet, with a customer base of 1.2 million and currently the largest non-telco ISP in India has earned the distinction of being the first to roll out 1 Gbps broadband Internet in the entire city of Hyderabad. The announcement was made in Hyderabad at a glittering press conference in the presence of Shri. K. Taraka Rama Rao, Minister for IT, Municipal Administration and Industries.

The fiber optics technology typically takes between 18-24 months to be laid out across a city and is devoid of any wireless technologies or protocols during the transit path from its source to last-mile connectivity. The other great advantage with fiber optics technology is that while copper cabling reaches its broadband threshold at 100 Mbps, sky is the limit as far as broadband speeds through fiber optic cables are concerned. This launch also catapults India into the league of top 7-8 countries in the world to have such a service.

Why Hyderabad first?

Hyderbad has the highest internet penetration amongst all Indian cities. An average Internet user in Hyderabad consumes about 75 GB data each month, which is much higher than any other city in the rest of India. Also, this launch is aligned with the Digital Telangana initiative of the state government which intends to open 3,000 hotspots across the city of Hyderabad. Out of these 1,000 hotspots shall be developed and maintained by ACT Fibernet. On a lighter vein, Bala Malladi, CEO, ACT Fibernet comes from Hyderabad, so his vision and support has been instrumental in the layout of optical fiber network much faster than any other city in India. As part of the fiber optics network, 40,000 kms of optical fiber has been deployed across the length and breadth of Hyderabad. Post this launch, ACT Fibernet has now set its sights on the cities of Bengaluru, Chennai and Delhi in North India, amongst others. When the average internet speeds in India is 2.5 Mbps, ACT Fibernet’s 1 Gbps launch will leapfrog Hyderabad internet speeds to 400x national average.

Why 1Gpbs is really insane

Imagine being able to download a 3.5 gig movie in 41 seconds flat! Yes, this is what we experienced at the ACT demo center. As compared to this, the best available broadband in Delhi at present does the same task in four and a half minutes at 100 Mbps speeds. It could be safe to conclude that 1Gbps speed allows downloads from the internet faster than transferring data from a USB drive. ACT Fibernet is the largest broadband provider in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad with over 65% market share. As part of the changes to the customer premises, only the last 60-70 metres of the cable needs to be changed from copper to the sleek optical fiber cables. These cables come in the form of a twin pair with one cable dedicated to upload data while the other is dedicated to download. Also, this offering from ACT Fibernet offers both downloads and uploads at 1Gbps, given the importance attached to uploading videos on social  media accounts.

Speaking on the launch BalaMalladi, CEO, ACT Fibernet said, “With our citizens and the government moving towards the Digital India movement, high speed internet is the need of the hour. With the launch of our 1 Gbps broadband internet service, it gives me immense pride to turn this dream into reality. The city of Hyderabad is apt for our maiden launch as it has some ofthe best technology brands, educational institutions and a vibrant economy.”

Bala further added,“We are confident this product will transform the way internet is now being consumedat large and this will fast track the government’s newest target to connect all its 23 millionTelangana residents through the Internet by 2018”.

Speaking at the launch,HonourableMinister for IT, Municipal Administration and Urban development and Industries,K. Taraka Rama Rao said, “I am extremely pleased to be present here and witness the historic launch of 1Gbps broadband internet service for an entire city in the country. It is my vision to connect our residents through high speed internet and I am sure this product from ACT Fibernet will further help fulfil my vision of making Telangana a tech and digitally advancedhub”

India is the second largest market globally with internet connectivity reaching over 400 million people. With the government’s constant and fervent efforts to internet enable cities, internet penetration is set to reach over 600 million users by 2020. Additionally, the government’s recent announcement to boost high-speed broadband via optic Fiber to 1,50,000 gram Panchayats will further receive support through initiatives such as ACT Fibernet’s and its contribution to the country’s digital growth.

ACT Fibernet’s 1 Gbps wired internet service is slated to soon be available in the 11 cities the company has presence in. ACT Fibernet plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore towards across India over the next two years. The product is currently available in Hyderabad for INR 5999 per month, 1 Gbps , 1TB FUP.  Please check the website www.actcorp.in for further details.