Imagine a scenario year back wherein the Indian expats were forced to cough up a minimum of RO7 (nearly 800 INR) to RO RO15 (1600 INR) for a handful of paid channels provided by Pehla. At such exorbitant prices, the customer service provided was too amateurish with reminders for renewals being a rarity. At this point, entered Dish TV, albeit illegally. Result: a majority of Indians in Oman have embraced the DTH operator from India which provides as much as 100 channels, including a majority of paid channels, for as little as RO 3 (350 INR). The initial investment for installing Dish TV will be around RO25 (nearly 2570 INR) for the decoder which has to be purchased legally in India. The same dish and LNB of Pehla/others can be used to get the signals in Oman.
In a competitive world, companies like Pehla and Real Media Corp must try to reduce the prices and attract customers. Sadly, they are taking to arm twisting tactics by threatening the customers of ‘dire consequences’ if they continue to use Dish TV in Oman.
During the World Cup soccer in Germany last year, ARR had bungled by offering live packages at phenomenal rates, and the soccer aficionados quietly installed Hotbird decorders for viewing the matches at affordable costs, though illegally. It is sad that these companies never learn from their past mistakes.
Soon, the DTH distribution biggies might join hands to block signals of Dish TV in Oman. Until then, happy viewing!