Every major player in the telecom space appears to be upgrading their network infrastructure in an effort to provide last mile connectivity and a common platform for Internet, VoIP and cable television with video on demand services to consumers.
Dr Anand Agarwal, chief executive officer, Sterlite Optical Industries, said, "The average subscriber today has Internet, VoIP and cable TV, but through different service providers. The idea is to integrate all three services, reduce costs and offer better services. Service operators such as VSNL and Bharti can integrate telephone, high-speed internet and videos on demand services to ensure better connectivity at lower cost. BSNL has already completed 700-800,000 broadband connections till date.
Bharti and Tata Teleservices are also reported to be upgrading their infrastructure and installing copper cables for last mile connectivity to provide VoIP and Internet services," said Dr Agarwal, whose company controls 65 per cent of the fibre market. Cable TV operators are also adding internet and VoIP connections in order to provide cost-effective digital services, value-added features such as pay per view, electronic programme guide and triple play services.
At a recent seminar, Mr Ashok Mansukhani, executive vice-president, HTMT, insisted that cable TV would continue to dominate the entertainment arena even as technology was getting more advanced with direct-to-home and IPTV. Microsoft and Reliance Infocomm have already announced plans to work together to jointly create, test and deliver next-generation Internet Protocol (IP)-based television services using an upcoming IPTV solution being developed by Microsoft TV. Mr Hemang Mehta, group product manager, Microsoft TV, had recently said, "Television will sit alongside mobile and wireline services."
Experts have suggested that it is quite possible that within two to three years, over five million subscribers could be receiving IPTV services in India. "The entertainment and telecom industry is moving towards a single service provider for internet and cable TV with video on demand services. The service providers, in turn, are looking to capitalise on this opportunity. This would help decrease the total cost per user in a way similar to the explosion in cellular services," said Dr Agarwal.
While Reliance, Bharti, Tata and BSNL are in the race for broadband connectivity, experts suggest that those with landline access to subscribers stand to benefit the most. "Service providers like BSNL which has the advantage in this regard has the maximum roll out of cable based technology," added Dr Agarwal. While in the past, the last mile connectivity was being provided wirelessly, experts suggest that the trend today was to use fibre optics copper connections to provide broadband services.
Dr Anand Agarwal, chief executive officer, Sterlite Optical Industries, said, "The average subscriber today has Internet, VoIP and cable TV, but through different service providers. The idea is to integrate all three services, reduce costs and offer better services. Service operators such as VSNL and Bharti can integrate telephone, high-speed internet and videos on demand services to ensure better connectivity at lower cost. BSNL has already completed 700-800,000 broadband connections till date.
Bharti and Tata Teleservices are also reported to be upgrading their infrastructure and installing copper cables for last mile connectivity to provide VoIP and Internet services," said Dr Agarwal, whose company controls 65 per cent of the fibre market. Cable TV operators are also adding internet and VoIP connections in order to provide cost-effective digital services, value-added features such as pay per view, electronic programme guide and triple play services.
At a recent seminar, Mr Ashok Mansukhani, executive vice-president, HTMT, insisted that cable TV would continue to dominate the entertainment arena even as technology was getting more advanced with direct-to-home and IPTV. Microsoft and Reliance Infocomm have already announced plans to work together to jointly create, test and deliver next-generation Internet Protocol (IP)-based television services using an upcoming IPTV solution being developed by Microsoft TV. Mr Hemang Mehta, group product manager, Microsoft TV, had recently said, "Television will sit alongside mobile and wireline services."
Experts have suggested that it is quite possible that within two to three years, over five million subscribers could be receiving IPTV services in India. "The entertainment and telecom industry is moving towards a single service provider for internet and cable TV with video on demand services. The service providers, in turn, are looking to capitalise on this opportunity. This would help decrease the total cost per user in a way similar to the explosion in cellular services," said Dr Agarwal.
While Reliance, Bharti, Tata and BSNL are in the race for broadband connectivity, experts suggest that those with landline access to subscribers stand to benefit the most. "Service providers like BSNL which has the advantage in this regard has the maximum roll out of cable based technology," added Dr Agarwal. While in the past, the last mile connectivity was being provided wirelessly, experts suggest that the trend today was to use fibre optics copper connections to provide broadband services.