Our service offerings will make 5G a reality in hinterland of India: SugarBox CEO

Founded in August 2016 by Ripunjay Bararia and Rohit Paranjpe, SugarBox Networks creates a hyperlocal data distribution ecosystem by installing CDN Edge servers at key places of interest (POIs). Users can connect to these POIs with a local WiFi network to get access to the internet. SugarBox POIs can be installed in public transport, public places, rural areas, hotels and co-living spaces, malls, among other places. Using the platform, people can stream and download videos, listen to music, play online games, shop online, pay bills, order food, book tickets and access other digital services without depending on cellular data. This can solve the problem of unstable internet connectivity in rural regions of the country where the telecom infrastructure is usually not good enough to enable high-speed internet connectivity.

In a conversation with Bizz Buzz, company's co-founder & CEO, Rohit Paranjpe said that the company is closely working with internet service providers to solve this problem statement. It is also working with a host of government bodies including Hyderabad Metro and Chennai Metro to enable commuters to access high speed internet while travelling. He said the technology company is currently focussed on Indian market but will soon expand its footprint overseas. Especially, South East Asian region is on company's radar. The startup, in which Zee holds majority stake, also said that it is adequately funded as of now and will look at funding after 8-12 month period. He said the company will make 5G a reality with its service offerings as users can enjoy the high speed network even in remote regions.

Founded in August 2016 by Ripunjay Bararia and Rohit Paranjpe, SugarBox Networks creates a hyperlocal data distribution ecosystem by installing CDN Edge servers at key places of interest (POIs). Users can connect to these POIs with a local WiFi network to get access to the internet. SugarBox POIs can be installed in public transport, public places, rural areas, hotels and co-living spaces, malls, among other places. Using the platform, people can stream and download videos, listen to music, play online games, shop online, pay bills, order food, book tickets and access other digital services without depending on cellular data. This can solve the problem of unstable internet connectivity in rural regions of the country where the telecom infrastructure is usually not good enough to enable high-speed internet connectivity

In power technology, when the power is not there, one can charge his device using a power bank. The technology applied here, may not be same but very similar. What we do is we place our devices closer to the user, so whenever internet is unstable, the user can still access the internet that is saved in the cloud segment inside the local area network (LAN). Let's take some examples. Suppose, you are inside a train or aircraft, where the connectivity is unreliable, still you can use the internet

How SugarBox Networks is solving the big problem statement of unstable internet connectivity in hinterland of India?

This is a very big problem statement. In power technology, when the power is not there, one can charge his device using a power bank. The technology applied here, may not be same but very similar. What we do is we place our devices closer to the user, so whenever internet is unstable, the user can still access the internet that is saved in the cloud segment inside the local area network (LAN). Let's take some examples. Suppose, you are inside a train or aircraft, where the connectivity is unreliable, still you can use the internet.

Do you have any engagement with the government agencies to solve this problem?

We work with metro bodies and a host of public sector entities. We work with Hyderabad Metro and Chennai Metro on deployment of this technology.

How many patents have you filed so far? How many of these are approved by authorities as of now?

We have filed a total of six patents and as we progress, we keep filing for more patents. Out of these six patents, two have been approved in India and the US. The remaining four patents are under consideration of authorities. All these patents are also global filings.

What is SugarBox Networks user base now? Is there any B2C aspect to your service offerings?

We work on B2B (business to business) segment. But our services are offered to consumers at the end. Though we are not currently working with telecom providers directly, we are in talks with many of these players. Currently, we work with around 12 ISPs (internet service providers), who cover a million and half households in India. We also work with multiple other industries. For example, we work with OTT (over the top) service providers, media streaming companies, edtech, fintech, ecommerce companies among others. So, there are around 15-20 different companies in this segment that we work with.

Where do you manufacture the hardware devices used in providing services?

All these hardware devices are designed internally. As far as manufacturing is concerned, we have manufacturing partners around the world.

The elements of latency and speed can be addressed once 5G network is rolled out across the world including India. Do you perceive it as a threat to your business model? Can you work in the environment post rolling out of 5G network?

We work with the ecosystem and we are not creating a separate platform. We depend on telecom players and they depend on us. Actually, we will make 5G a reality in India. We are able to speed up the delivery, and make the internet more reliable. It may not be possible to provide infrastructure across all the geographies for the telecom service providers. This is because of the cost involved. We solve that big problem. Like cloud platforms, which become more relevant and even pronounced with 5G network, the same logic applies to us. We are a technology platform.

Elon Musk promoted Starlink recently received a setback for its operations in India. How do you view this development?

Actually, we are ambivalent. As telecom providers can't reach everywhere, other methods like satellite connectivity and other channels are important.

Do you partner with IT services providers with solutions for telecom industry?

Any network service provider is our partner. We have to work very closely with each other. We have to optimise their costs, we also work with them to improve their revenue. So, any network service provider, be it telecom company or others, all of them are our partners. We work at a mutually beneficial model.

Are you adequately funded now? Is your company operationally profitable now? Can you throw some light into this aspect?

We have infused capital in 2017 and after that Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has supported us with funding. Currently, we are adequately funded. We have 8-12 months of runway for raising funds in next round. As far breakeven is concerned, we have started charging revenues from our customers last month.

Will you plan to take your service offerings overseas?

Currently, we are a made in India and deployed in India company. We will expand our footprint outside of India, specifically in South East Asia. We will look at it towards the end of next financial year. As we provide fundamental value to telecom players, we will also approach the global telecom majors in coming years with our expansion.