Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)

NEW DELHI: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is set to expand its ‘Interactive Personalised Television and Video Services’ (IPTV) services to 98 cities and towns across India by March 2009, besides planning a big broadband rollout across the country.
Launching the IPTV service in the Haryana circle on Wednesday, where the service will initially be available in Gurgaon, Faridabad and Ambala in association with Smart Digivision, BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goyal said: “We expect to have one lakh IPTV subscribers in the country by March.”
In IPTV service, digital content services are delivered using the Internet protocol (IP) over a broadband connection using closed network infrastructure. Separate virtual circuits for voice, data and video applications are created in the same telephone connection to deliver the ‘Triple Play Services.’

Ambitious plans



“We have ambitious plans for broadband expansion. In the next three years, we plan to add 30-lakh broadband connections every year, thus promoting our unique IPTV service also” said Mr. Goyal, adding that with its unique two-way capability, IPTV is generations ahead of currently available cable and DTH services. “IPTV gives choice, variety and flexibility to customers, besides a great viewing experience,” he added. Along with the broadband connection, BSNL will also provide landline connection.
According to BSNL’s Director (Planning & New Services) R.K. Aggarwal: “We have already made IPTV a reality in the country with more than 10 cities offering the services on commercial basis. We have planned to extent this facility to 98 cities by end of current financial year.”

Long term contract



The Smart TV Group, consisting Smart Digivision Pvt Ltd and Smart Broadband Services Pvt Ltd, has entered into long term contracts with BSNL for providing co-branded interactive video services to their customers in 54 cities across India.
HFCL promoter Mahendra Nahata, who is also the chairman of Smart Digivision Pvt, said the company’s engagement with BSNL reflects their long-term strategy to become consumers’ preferred entertainment provider. “We plan to have 30-lakh IPTV subscribers in next four years. Using high-speed internet connection from BSNL and Smart Digivision set top box, customers would be able to connect to a set of interactive features through home television and watch more than 140 TV channels,” he added.