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IOL Broadband, MTNL roll out first IPTV

Video, voice and content in single network

— Photo: Paul Noronha

VIDEO ON DEMAND: R. S. P. Sinha (right), Chairman and Managing Director, MTNL, with A. S. Oberai, Director, IOL Broadband, at the launch of IPTV service at a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday.

MUMBAI: IOL Broadband on Saturday rolled out India's first IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) service here, enabling subscriber access to digital television services through Internet Protocol, in association with the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL).

(IPTV describes a system where a digital television service is delivered using the Internet Protocol over a network infrastructure, which may include delivery by a broadband connection. For residential users, IPTV is often provided in conjunction with Video on Demand and may be bundled with Internet services such as Web access and VoIP.

The commercial bundling of IPTV, VoIP and Internet access is referred to as a Triple Play.)

The service would be commercially launched on October 21 (Diwali), MTNL Chairman and Managing Director R. S. P. Sinha told reporters here.

MTNL has entered into a strategic tie-up with IOL Broadband and would provide the services at Rs. 199 a month.

"As a first step, we will provide 25 channels, which will go up to 200-250 at a later stage. Initially, the service will be offered to the existing 2.2 million MTNL broadband subscribers in Mumbai,'' he said.

About the revenue sharing between MTNL and IOL, he said it would depend on the growth rate.

MTNL would provide the infrastructure, while IOL would provide the content delivery network.

On whether there would be opposition from cable TV operators, he said there were enough slots for various players.

"It is a very vast and diversified sector. I think there is a slot for all kinds of service providers. We are not taking away somebody's share. In fact, we are presenting the country the latest technology, and providing a different experience,'' Mr. Sinha said.

IPTV users would be able to receive video-on-demand, voice and content through a single network. — PTI

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