GTPL to deploy Cisco set-top boxes for cable digitisation

As part of its cable digitisation activities, Ahmedabad-based Gujarat Gujarat Telelink Private Ltd. (GTPL) has tied up with Cisco India to deploy next-generation digital set-top boxes. Over 300,000 next-generation digital set-top boxes from Cisco will be deployed in key states of Gujarat, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Jharkhand over the next 12 months.

The digitisation will help GTPL transform into a lifestyle-experience provider and help enable services like residential TV, HDTV, gaming, digital video recording, and video on demand services to retail consumers. The new digital platform will also allow cable and Internet service providers to offer enhanced services to consumers and increase their subscription revenue.

"Digitisation will help us address several issues that have been dogging the industry and strengthen our competitive edge in the market over direct-to-home players. Combining GTPL's expertise as a cable and Internet solutions provider with Cisco's leadership in Internet protocol next-generation network technology will enable us to offer improved value-added services such as digital video recording, video on demand and a host of other experiences to our subscribers," said Aniruddh Sinh Jadeja, managing director, GTPL.

As one of the fastest growing multi-service provider (MSO), GTPL enjoys dominant market shares in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Kolkata, parts of West Bengal. According to Vish Iyer, vice president, service providers, Cisco India and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), "Our engagement with GTPL will potentially change how subscribers consume and experience television and other digital services across key markets that GTPL has a presence in. Changing consumer preferences in the home entertainment segment is leading to a rapid growth of cable digitisation in India. The move demonstrates Cisco's ability to help transform cable service providers into experience providers, offering superior content and enhanced interactive services to consumers."

As part of its near-future plans, GTPL also intends to roll out important cable networks in large cities and towns of eastern India.