UTStarcom launches IP partner program in India

GURGAON, INDIA: UTStarcom, Inc., an IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions provider, today said that it has launched its India ‘Internet Protocol Partner Program’ focused on research and development (R&D) to provide a single-window solution to telecom operators for providing better value-added services to subscribers.

UTStarcom is working with more than 20 partners in developing these rich applications that can be added on to its IP-based offerings, said a press release.

The applications in the immediate pipeline include tele-education, gaming, social networking, gaming, widgets, advertising, messaging convergence and contextual information, it said.

Vijay Yadav, vice president and managing director of UTStarcom’s South Asia operations, said, “By building an ecosystem for IPTV, we aim to aid faster adoption of this revolutionary technology among Indian audiences by helping telecom operators create a compelling pull factor built on technologically robust and tested applications.”

Jose Alvear, MRG spokesperson, said in the emerging markets, operators are seeking open solutions with proven interoperability to continually offer better services to consumers.

“These solutions can help increase their ARPUs, reduce churn rate, and help them stay ahead of the innovation curve. A pre-integrated approach like UTStarcom’s would be helpful in streamlining this process and bringing new applications to consumers more quickly,” he said.

The UTStarcom IP Partner Program is open to partners in various fields of the IP value chain, including testing equipment, content, remote technical debugging and complaint redressal and more.

Four innovative applications have already been tested on UTStarcom’s technology platform and will soon be rolled out for service providers, the release said.

Some of the IPTV services being developed or evaluated under the program include on-demandeducation / learning, TV travel booking, movie ticket booking, interactive maps, gaming, TV video blogging, hospitality solutions, widgets (for weather, stocks, cricket scores, etc.), customer analytics (for TAM ratings), targeted advertisements, etc.