RCom, Microsoft To Launch IPTV

Reliance Communications is close to rolling out Internet protocol television (IPTV) services in the country in association with Microsoft. The companies have been working on the project since 2003.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who will reach Mumbai on Sunday night, and RCom Chairman Anil Ambani are expected to make a joint announcement on Monday, according to sources close to the development.

India is expected to have one million IPTV subscribers by 2011, according to A S Oberoi, director, India On-line. India On-line is a platform provider for MTNL and BSNL.

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Bharti Airtel To Start DTH And IPTV Services

Bharti Airtel is entering the broadcasting segment with Direct-to-Home (DTH) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services. It has got approval from I&B Ministry for its DTH venture.

IPTV will be launched by December 2007 in partnership with Cisco and initially limited to six cities. DTH would be launched by Q4 of 2007-08 and promoted as a mass product.


Through IPTV, Airtel could push up its broadband base as consumers get TV content along with a fixed telephone line.

For DTH, Bharti could provide advantage of lower setup cost to consumers as the set-top boxes would be manufactured by its arm, Bharti Teletech.
Bharti Airtel has also reduced its share to 40% in the DTH venture, Bharti Telemedia Ltd. to comply with FDI guidelines

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