BSNL rolls out Internet TV services

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd on Wednesday launched its Internet Protocol Television services, which will enable consumers to watch TV channels using their fixed telephone line at home.

The company has launched the service in 10 cities, including Gurgaon in Haryana.

IPTV is a system where an interactive digital television service is delivered over a broadband connection instead of the traditional way of transmitting through a cable network.

Users will also get new services such as video on demand where they can watch their favourite movies for a fee. They can also pause, fast forward and rewind live and recorded content stored on a remotely located server by the service provider.

Since IPTV delivers TV channels in digital form, the quality of TV viewing is expected to be much better as compared to analog transmission.

Broadband link

To avail the service, subscribers will have to take a broadband connection from BSNL and a set-top box for an upfront payment of Rs 2,500. In addition, subscribers will have to pay Rs 280 each month for receiving all 150 channels and Rs 200 for 95 channels.

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In comparison, DTH subscribers pay over Rs 300 a month for receiving all the channels.

In 98 cities soon

Kuldeep Goyal, Chairman and Managing Director, BSNL, said the company plans to roll out IPTV services to 98 cities by end of the current fiscal year. He also said that this will enable BSNL to tap into the growing broadcasting sector.

BSNL has partnered Smart Digivision Pvt Ltd, a company promoted by Mahendra Nahata, Chairman, Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd, to roll out the service in 54 cities.

Goyal said that BSNL will launch its 3G services over the next two months starting from Chennai.

The Smart TV Group, consisting Smart Digivision Pvt Ltd and Smart Broadband Services Pvt Ltd, has entered into long term contracts with MTNL and BSNL for providing co-branded interactive video services in 54 cities.

Source: Agencies