Ex-owner of IceNet may venture into IPTV

With the consolidation process in the ISP industry happening all around, it is giving an impetus to players to move into the latest operations in Internet technology business. Owners of companies bought over by bigger and better players find consolidation a reason to move up the ladder in the technology business.

Chirag Mehta is one such entrepreneur. The former chief executive officer and managing director of IceNet, which has been acquired by Citigroup-owned YOU Telecom, is already evaluating opportunities in the business. Mehta will take care of the Gujarat operations of the consolidated company, he has his own plans.

"It is good that IceNet is merging into a larger entity with a national footprint and larger resource pool. We have our experience and branding in this market and they are bringing their latest technology.

As of now I have to stay here and help YOU Telecom manage the Gujarat operations and provide consultation for some of their national activities. But I have to capitalise on my experience and my strength in this sector and I would try to do that through my own venture which will definitely be in the internet technology sector," said Mehta.

Mehta is hopeful that he may have to stay on for around a year or so till all of IceNet's subscribers have migrated to YOU Telecom.

"Once the migration of subscribers is over, I can get into my venture which will be in the internet technology or data security business only but I will not be doing anything that I used to do till now, like being an ISP or providing VoIP technology. Maybe IPTV could be one of the possibilities," added Mehta.

However, Mehta said that he is yet to put down on paper the plans for his new venture. "My plans will materialise after I am done with the migration of our subscribers or as long as my services are required here at YOU Telecom," said Mehta. Mehta's designation is yet to be finalised.

According to Mehta, by acquiring IceNet, YOU Telecom gets around 10,000 of its broadband subscribers, 200 enterprise subscribers and around 15,000 dial-up subscribers. Both the companies have not disclosed the acquisition amount as yet.