MTNL Launches India’s first IPTV in Mumbai
Posted by Sree Pillai on October 15th, 2006 under category Internet
Topics: India, IPTV, MTNL
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) rolled out the country`s first IPTV service in Mumbai on Saturday and in Delhi on October 17. This will be the first IPTV deployment in India.
MTNL has entered into a tie-up with city-based IOL Broadband Ltd for the service, which would be available at Rs 199 per month.
As a first step, 25 channels will be provided which will go up to 200-250 at a later stage. Initially the service will be offered to the existing 2.2 million MTNL broadband subscribers in Mumbai.
MTNL would be providing the infrastructure, while IOL Boradband the content delivery network.
IPTV describes a system where a digital television service is delivered using the Internet Protocol over a network infrastructure, which may include delivery by a broadband connection. For residential users, IPTV is often provided in conjunction with Video on Demand and may be bundled with Internet services such as Web access and VoIP. The commercial bundling of IPTV, VoIP and Internet access is referred to as a Triple Play. The technology is being touted as the next big thing in broadband and is becoming popular in other countries.
A number of other operators, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Reliance Communication are planning to launch IPTV in a big way.
Source: Hindu
How does IPTV work?
IPTV uses a two-way digital broadcast signal, sent through a switched telephone or cable network by way of a broadband connection and a set top box programmed with software much like a cable or DSS box that can handle viewer requests to access many available media sources.
The viewer’s TV connects to a set top box that decodes the IP video and converts it into standard television signals. IPTV allows operators to deliver content to their subscribers using telephone lines through IP technology. So far, this technology was being used to deliver voice through Internet telephony. The services on IPTV include video-on-demand and digital video recording.
TV over telephone line is slated to be the next big application for telecom service providers. Even mobile operators are looking at technologies like the FLO and EVDO to broadcast live TV on cellular phones. It is predicted that by 2008, 20 million homes worldwide will subscribe to IPTV services.
FAQ on MTNL IPTV Service (from MTNL Mumbai website)
What is IPTV service
TV service which is delivered using IP (Internet Protocol) technology – this is the same technology which is used in Internet Services . In this service the TV channels are encoded in IP format and delivered to TV through a Set Top Box. The IP TV Service also includes Video on Demand Service which is similar to watching Video CDs / DVDs using a VCD/DVD player. Movies, Instructional Videos and other content shall be available to customers in the IP TV Services.
How this service functions:
The three main components in delivering this service are:
TV and Content Head End – where the TV channels are received and encoded. Also other content (Video’s) are stored at Head End. MTNL has signed agreement for this with M/s IOL.
Delivery network – which is MTNL’s Broadband network and MTNL’s telephone line. (Landline).
Set Top Box – The Set Top Box is required at the customer location for converting the IP signal back to TV signal. The STB shall be connected between MTNL Broadband Modem and customer’s TV.
Who shall be providing the Set Top Box:
The STB shall be provided by M/s IOL.
What are the tariffs for the service:
Tariffs shall be announced shortly.
Any pre-requisites for IPTV Service:
MTNL Landline telephone with Broadband connectivity is required for these services.
What services shall be available:
Bouquet of TV channels and Video on Demand services shall be available initially during trials. Other services / content shall be introduced progressively.
Whether customer shall be able to use normal telephone and internet service along with IP TV Service:
Yes, all the three services can work together:
- Normal Telephone service
- Broadband Internet service
- IPTV service
Author Email: sree@teck.in
it is such a nice step 2wards the growth in IT sector ” by this people r able 2 watch movies ” along with broadband servie “as well as cable network ” it is more appealing in quality & it will easily a 3way mode ” it is helpful for every employee ” time saving as well as energy ” i am really looking forward 2 it ” by best wishes always with MTNL “
If you have a broadband connection of BSNL or MTNL it is easy to get the connection. I have Myway iptv and i get this connection because i use BSNL Broadband. I have the connection 4 months back. I find that 3-4 times the picture freeze but it is not very frequent, i.e why i am ok with that because its not a major problem. But i like the features because it is better than DTH.
hello
its possible that i can take my ibox with me to abord
thanks
I am very sorry for having asked for IPTV.From the very date of installation. I have been getting messages “waiting signal” Initiation failed” or static images.I don’t know Iptv means this.
If we try to contact Aksh on 126555 or 126777.except ring with stereo type tape,there is no body to attend or help us.I am totally fad up ,disappointed with such type of service.
I hope the concerned authorities will find out some time to redress our problems
I want to subscribe ip tv, but I dont know how to apply for this, if anybody know how to apply for it, please let me know.
Hi,
Is it IOL Broadband or IOL net owned by Ashish Deora ?
we are expecting the services to be up and going in navi mumbai too.
waiting.
regards
AKSH IPTV was installed at my home on 23-06-2008.But it worked hardly for 2 days.Thereafter I lodged complaints to AKSH IPTV & MTNL several times on phone and through email.The customer service provided by AKSH IPTV is very very poor. They do not give complaint numbers which is violation of TRAI guidelines. When you call at call centre they will ask your name and contact number but they do not bother to call back. Every time you have to remind them about the problem you are facing. I think I have called them more than 50 times.[B][U][COLOR="Red"]This is the poorest customer service I have seen in my entire life.[/COLOR][/U][/B]. I sent emails to their head office at Gurgaon but I think they don’t have any regards to customers.The reason given to me was problem at Prabhadevi telephone exchange.But I have not received a written comnunication from MTNL/AKSH.I fails to understand when the infrastructure was not ready why they have go ahead with the project. MTNL is not able to fix the problem after so many days . This shows it’s efficiency. This is the main reason MTNL is loosing it’s market share in Mumbai.
On 04-07-2008 I written email to MTNL’s top boss that if the problem is not fixed I will escalate the matter to Department of Telecommunication.Then on 8-7-2008 AKSH’s technician came to my home and fixed the problem. But from 09-07-2008 onwards IPTV is not working. Again I called several times at call centre to wake up AKSH. On 12-07-2008 their technician visited my home and assured me that problem will be solved in a couple of days.When I called at call centre today i.e. 17-07-2008 told me that the problem is solved. But IPTV is not functioning yet. As usual I had given my contact details but nobody called me and no technical help is provided.
I lodged several complaints online, through emails and on telephone to MTNL and AKSH but I have not received a single written communications from them.
AKSH – MUMBAI MTNL IPTV IS SUPER FLOP SHOW.
Hi
I want surya tv channel along with asianet. please give the latest list of channels in the internet site.
Regards
pbk
[...] IPTV platform is going to be available everywhere in India by April this year. MTNL has Launched India’s first IPTV in Mumbai in October [...]
Well this is another step to the development in direction of IT, we have several users of Internet today working several hours online and they dont have feasibiliy to see TV seperately… now this will help all such IP users… to see Television… Thanks to the thinkers behind this..