Adabs/Reliance - first to distribute films by fiber optic cable commercially

Distribution of digital cinema films to multiplexes by fibre optic cable has long been the (pipe) dream of the movie industry. Qwest and Fox tested it in 2000. Japan's NTT West tested it in 4K with WB, Paramount and Sony in 005-2006. But as of May this year, Adlabs together with Reliance Communication are doing it on a weekly commercial basis - week in, week out. From Indiantelevision.com:

Adlabs Digital Cinema adds that it has also established a world first by becoming the first and only operator in the world to-date to commercially distribute digital cinema films over the optic fiber cable (OFC). Using the network of Reliance Communications, over 2000 digital cinema shows to-date have come from digital copies delivered via OFC on a weekly commercial basis.

Films are encoded at Adlabs Digital Cinema Mastering Facility at Film City in Mumbai and sent over a 200Mbps connection to its Content Distribution and Logistics (CDL) Hub at Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) in Navi Mumbai, from where they are sent further via dedicated 100Mbps OFC to cinemas as far as Ahmedabad. OFC allows for transportation of digital cinema films that is faster, more reliable and more secure than any other form of delivery.

With Reliance Communication having laid down 80,000 kilometers of fiber all across India, we could not have asked for a better partner (and it helps having the same parent company in Reliance ADAG), though the 'last mile' to the multiplex we've had to install.

So forget hard drives or satellite. If you want to see the future of film distribution, book a ticket to Mumbai and come and visit us. We will treat you to a nice meal as well.

UPDATE: This news was covered by both Variety and THR.com.