New Delhi: Trials for the Internet Protocal TV (IPTV), through which one can enjoy TV programmes on PC's and surf Internet on TV sets, are complete and the state-owned MTNL is all ready to launch it in Mumbai and Delhi from this festive season, but for some clarifications from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The MTNL would be launching the service for the first time in the country in collaboration with the Time Broadband Services Pvt Ltd.
The new technology will deliver a superior and interactive television experience with the industry's most advanced voice, video and data services.
All broadband customers of the MTNL can access to the IPTV.
Subcribers to MTNL's broadband service marketed under the Tri-band name, can make and receive phone calls, surf the Internet and use IPTV simultaneously.
The IPTV will offer a bouquet of television channels and video-on-demand. For accessing these services, a set-top box will be needed. The box connects to the TV on one end and the MTNL line on the other.
Several services will cost roughly about Rs 400 a month, which might be a little more than the subscribers get under CAS, but then under CAS one can't get interactive services and Internet.
The state-owned telecom service provider would have launched the service even earlier too but it is waiting for TRAI's view on its bid to air Free to Air TV channels through IPTV's.
TRAI is grappling with a number of legal points on this issue. It has been indecisive about which category, whether of telecom or broadcasting, the IPTV should be put into.
It is also grappling with the point that if the IPTV is also allowed to air Free to Air channel, it would contravene CAS.
However, TRAI sources said that if the MTNL wanted they could still launch the service with only pay channels, as taking care of legalities later was their problem.
Director Operations Time Broadband Services Amit Dev told UNI that their trials were complete and they were ready to start operations as soon as asked by the MTNL.
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