The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) clears the decks for Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services in the country. The policy framework for IPTV and downlinking guidelines for television channels updated with changes by the Union Cabinet paves the way for the commercial roll-out of IPTV services by telcos, cable TV operators and ISPs.
What does the policy says
Under the downlinking norms, broadcasters are only to offer their channels for cable and direct-to-home platforms. “These norms are being amended to allow broadcasters to share their channels with the IPTV platforms too,” I&B minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said after the Cabinet meeting.
IPTV is a new method of delivering and viewing television programmes using an IP network and high speed broadband technology. It is fast becoming a popular valueadded service in many countries. The rapid development in telecom technologies, enormous capabilities of the IP platform and increasing digitalisation of broadcasting is driving services like IPTV.
With the introduction of IPTV services, customers have a wider choice about the platform they want to use for viewing TV channels. Other competing platforms include Direct-to-Home (DTH) and onditional Access Systems offered by cable TV operators. Customers will need Set-Top-Boxes for all these three platforms-IPTV, DTH and CAS.
Among the country’s leading telecom operators at present, state-owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) offer IPTV services on their broadband networks. Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications Ltd (Rcomm) tied up with Microsoft last November to deliver IPTV. Sunil Mittal-led, the country
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