If you’re still waiting for BSNL’s already delayed IPTV service, you may be in for a rude shock. State-owned telecoms behemoth plans to take at least another year to ring in the full-fledged launch of internet-protocol TV in the three select cities — Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Bangalore.

So if you’re wondering, what went wrong, a couple of things transpired that have now compelled BSNL to ink agreements directly with broadcasters right from the concept stages. Additionally, it also intends to procure and install equipment that will download the content from these channels and distribute it through the internet protocol.

Apparently, BSNL has finally realised that its inability to provide all major channels was largely because it did not ink any direct agreements with mainline broadcasters. Instead it had roped in a Bangalore-based content provider IOL Broadband, which resulted in poor response to its IPTV pilot project.

In fact, for months on end BSNL was offering IPTV services on a pilot basis to a select few and that too free of cost since its definitive agreement with the Zee group failed to materialise. BSNL’s decision to defer the IPTV services is based on the fact that not all broadcasters are willing to enter into agreements with third-parties for content outsourcing.

“Broadcasters are keen on entering into agreements with BSNL but not with any third-party which, in fact, has hindered the growth of IPTV,” BSNL-Kolkata CGM S K Chakravarty said. He was talking to reporters at an interaction at Calcutta Chamber of Commerce here on Saturday.

“BSNL is in the process of acquiring equipment required for downloading signals and distribution. It will take another year to relaunch the IPTV with new infrastructure,” Mr Chakravarty said.

Interestingly, BSNK-Kolkata (Calcutta Telephones) has signed a memorandum with with Computer Association of Eastern India (Compass), for promoting bundled offer for broadband with new computer.

Under the offer, broadband charge will be Rs 199 instead of Rs 250 for the home plan. BSNL has targeted 20 million broadband connections by 2010.

Calcutta Telephones is also in the process of investing Rs 365 crore for adopting a unified billing system.

Source:economictimes