Indian IPTV subscribers to reach 966000 by 2011

Indian IPTV subscribers to reach 966,000 by 2011

Growth of IPTV will depend on broadband penetration rates, besides pricing, quality, and content of offerings

Monday, December 24, 2007

CIOL: What are the major challenges in deploying IPTV architecture?

PP: It is true that the growth of broadband penetration has lagged behind targets. However, the growing speed of adoption of broadband, particularly in the metros and the urban areas, is an encouraging development for the future of IPTV in India.

All major service providers are investing in advanced IP-based-next-generation networks (IP-NGNs) and the necessary infrastructure to support IPTV. IPTV will be a key service in their triple-play offerings.

CIOL: How do you see the progress of Indian telecom in the IPTV space in India?

PP: The leading service providers have either rolled-out or are in the various stages of rolling out IPTV services. The industry, technology and infrastructure are already geared up for the adoption of IPTV. However, a slight push is required on the government’s side to make it an overall success in India.

Currently, most major service providers are offering or in the process of offering IPTV in the metros. The exact rollout timeline for the country and business model for services are still under progress. While MTNL and BSNL have taken the lead, private operators such as Bharti and Reliance are not far behind. In December 2006, Reliance announced that the company would launch IPTV services in 10 cities, including four metros, by the end of 2008 fiscal year.

CIOL: Looking forward, how do you see the future of IPTV in India? Will it remain a niche technology over the next years till the country sees an improvement in the broadband penetration?

PP: IPTV is still in its infancy in India in terms of commercial deployments and experience. The pay TV market in India remains extremely regulated.

In addition, an extremely fragmented cable segment with thousands of small cable operators might present an opportunity for IPTV operators based on growing middle class and high TV watching habit.

Much remains to be accomplished in terms of resolving issues with regard to bandwidth and broadband pricing. However, beyond regulatory issues, the growth of IPTV will primarily depend on broadband penetration rates as well as on pricing, quality, and content of IPTV offerings.

©CIOL Bureau

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akram senna said on 12/24/2007 4:29:44 PM:
Indian engineers and entrepreneurs need to think and do big: no point just buying products from Nokia, Cisco, etc; you need to research, design, manufacture in India and market overseas. You need to gain expertise quickly and enhance this.

to akram senna

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