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Is India ready for IPTV?
si Team
Friday, June 5, 2009
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is all set to revolutionize the way the television functioned so far. IPTV enables one to use the television as a two way communication media to interact with the world, apart from carrying out the ordinary television tasks like delivering news and entertainment.

Experts say that IPTV is a complementary way of transmission of entertainment, data and interactive communication. But the big question that arises in one’s mind is whether India is ready for this television revolution.

“Figures show that IPTV has a great future in India,” said Vijay Yadav, Vice President and Managing Director, UTstarcom, a service provider for the IPTV. “Asia recorded the highest number of acceptance for it, compared to the developed countries. Of the 1.27 million connection (in Asia) last year, India and China had a lion share of that,” Yadav added.

However Prakash, owner of Bangalore Cable Network said, “IPTV cannot be successful in India. The cost of installing an IPTV is very high and we don’t have a proper infrastructure to support it. The present internet connectivity cannot provide the viewers what a cable is providing,” he added.

As of today, installing an IPTV is a costly affair. The viewer needs a special set-top box, modem and broadband connection. And an extra camera is required if one wants to make it an interactive TV. But once installed, it can do half of the work an internet connected computer can do. The TV can receive calls, surf videos and search data along with providing digital TV channels.

Despite the challenges, there are big hopes. Experts believe that there will be an increase in the broadband connections because of the IPTV, which provides services like Video on Demand (VOD), Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) or digital phone and Web access, collectively referred to as Triple Play. Many companies are already running pilot projects to provide e-governance and other kind of facilities on IPTV.
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