IPTV - the next big opportunity for telcos

Mumbai-based Rahul Sharma loves his IPTV. It allows him to store his favourite programme on the set-top box with memory and watch it later when he's home.

Sharma is also looking forward to making video phone calls with friends who also have an IPTV connection in the comfort of his home.

"DTH or cable does not provide me with these facilities yet. And the price is more or less the same as I pay Rs 299 a month for 100 channels."

Welcome to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV),a service provided by telecom companies using broadband.

First off the block is government-owned MTNL, telecom service provider for Mumbai and Delhi, which launched its service just two months ago.

"Our target initially is our broadband customers in Delhi and Mumbai who number over 3 lakh" says RSP Sinha, managing director, MTNL.

Joining the IPTV bandwagon is Reliance Communications which is planning to launch the service from October in at least 10 cities.

The company has been running running trials with a customer base of 1000-1500, for over a year now in Mumbai Delhi and Pune.