Elaborating on the emerging concept of convergence, Mr Screwvala said: ``I can foresee a lot of departure from the existing trend.'' From VCR and pay-per-view, India is moving to time-shifted TV; from broadcasting to niche programming; from channel surfing to channel navigating, he added. But, the differentiating factor will be content, he said. Also, Mr Srewvala predicted that by the year 2004-2006, T-commerce on TV and video will be larger than e-commerce.

Mr Vijay Singh, MD, Sony Music, spoke about monetising digital music through workable business models for the same. The first model is that of subscription, whereby a subscriber pays a monthly or an annual subscription fee. In the US, the subscription model works effectively and the industry is quite bullish about it, said Mr Singh. The second model is that of a music locker, which organises a subscriber's music collection online. Subscribers can then have their music streamed back on any computer. But, Mr Singh concluded that collaboration and strategic alliances are needed for any successful business models.

Mr Manu Sawhney, MD, ESPN Software, presented his ideas of home entertainment as it is going to be in the future. He said that a TV viewer should be able to schedule programmes on his own, rather than depending completely on the broadcaster. So, the focus must be on personalising content delivery, thereby offering a wide choice to the viewers.

Mr Anshuman Misra, MD, Turner International, offered some tips on how to be successful in the convergence business. First, he said, find paying customers wherever they are. Second, get into language. Third, improve the technology to do your business.

Mr Shekhar Gupta, editor in chief, The Indian Express, defended the print media against the backdrop of the new media. He stressed on three Cs-credibility, commitment and continuity-to drive his point that print will survive, by taking advantage of the new media, rather than shunning it.

The second plenary session dealing with the `Regulatory Framework in Convergence' was a truncated one with the chairman and managing director, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), not turning up at the session and the new Information Technology secretary, Mr Vinay Kohli, being new on the job chose to listen.

Moderated by Mr Dewang Mehta, president Nasscom, the second session looked at the current environment as far as the regulatory framework is concerned.

Virat Bhatia, managing director, AT&T India while lauding the work done on the Communications Bill 2000 and the competition bill, cautioned against two isolated pieces of legislation which rather than enabling hamper the process of convergence.

Mr John MacMohan, senior regulatory advisor, British Telecom (Worldwide) on the other hand stressed the skill-sets required by the regulatory authorities.