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Saturday, April 28, 2007
Bhaskar Hazarika
NEW DELHI: Telecom public sector undertaking, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is aggressively looking at grabbing a major share in the Internet Protocol based Television (IPTV) in India. It is planning to set up content TV networks across the country for offering the service, according the AK Sinha, chairman and managing director, BSNL.
The company is planning to invite tenders from content providers. Sinha informed that the company has finalized the plans. It would invite tenders within the next quarter.
He said that BSNL would also be looking to offer services in regional languages in different states. “We require huge regional content for offering the service in different states and we are planning to invite tenders for that. We are looking for content providers who can also provide content in regional languages,” Sinha said.
BSNL is offering its IPTV services in Pune with 20 channels for its broadband subscribers. The company has also carried out its trials in Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
Sinha hinted that BSNL would target more cities in the coming months. BSNL has signed up with 20 channels through its franchisee-based model.
“We will initially be launching our services where the number of broadband customers are more and eventually move to other places,” Sinha added.
However, Sinha did not reveal any investment figures saying that it is a continuous process and the company would make keep on investing.
Speaking about the growth in the IPTV market, Sinha said according to studies there were 3.9 million customers globally in 2006 and is likely to grow at 103 million by 2011. He added that India would play a significant role in it.
© CyberMedia News
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