Airtel to launch IPTV this month, DTH Service in April 2008

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Calcutta, Dec. 5: Even before the spectrum tangle is resolved, Bharti Airtel and Reliance ADAG are getting ready for a new clash.

The rivalry between the two telecom titans is set to break the spectrum barrier and hit television screens.

Going by the plans of the two stalwarts, Bharti seems to have a headstart in the new race with the Sunil Mittal company ready to launch a Internet protocol television service in the National Capital Region in December.

Reliance ADAG has already inked a $500-million deal with Microsoft to launch IPTV services in New Delhi and Mumbai, but the launch is scheduled not before March next year.

“We will analyse operations in the region for a quarter and then take a call on the pan India rollout,” said Manoj Kohli, CEO of Bharti Airtel.

Kohli declined to comment if Calcutta would have access to Airtel IPTV services before the Pujas next year.

“It all depends on how our foray in the capital works out. It will work in all homes and offices where digital subscriber line (DSL) technology is being served,” Kohli added.

Airtel IPTV will be based on the existing DSL network, a technology that transforms plain old telephone lines into a high-speed conduit for data, information, entertainment and more.

Reliance plans to switch a substantial part of its 37-million customer base to the IPTV platform, while Airtel’s IPTV will be available in all homes and offices where DSL is already being served.

DSL utilises more of the bandwidth on copper phone lines than what is used for telephone services. Therefore, on different frequencies, one can talk and surf the Internet simultaneously.

According to reports, Airtel is investing Rs 150 crore in the first phase and has already set up high-tech infrastructure facilities in Gurgaon, Haryana. Airtel will face competition from other service providers such as BSNL and MTNL

DTH service

Airtel may launch its DTH services in Calcutta in April next year.

“Like for all our services, east will be a focus area for DTH too. The service will have around 200 channels and we promise to introduce value additions which are hitherto not available on the DTH platform,” Kohli said.

Airtel wants to have the largest combination of telephony and entertainment, he added.

Airtel is awaiting the government’s decision on mobile television and has already put in its recommendations with the Trai committee.

Reliance also plans to launch DTH services by the year-end or early next year through its wholly owned subsidiary Reliance BIG TV at a lower price than the existing players.

Dish TV and Tata Sky, the current big DTH players, have combined investments of Rs 3,000 crore.

Campus plan

Airtel will finalise its campus plot in the city within a few weeks.

This would be Airtel’s third hub after Chandigarh, the northern region hub which would be operational by Diwali next year and the one in the National Capital Region.
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source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071206/as...635272.asp