Cabinet to Discuss IPTV Guidelines

Himanshi Dhawan & Mahendra K Singh

NEW DELHI: Couch potatoes rejoice. The Union Cabinet on Thursday is likely to discuss policy guidelines for internet protocol television (IPTV) that will allow viewers to enjoy digital television content available to them through technologies used for computer networks instead of traditional cable and broadcast formats. This is likely to facilitate faster growth of IPTV services in the country.

The Cabinet will also consider amendments to the downlinking guidelines of TV channels to enable broadcasters to provide content for IPTV service providers. If the policy guidelines are accepted, viewers can enjoy facilities like video on demand and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) in the comfort of their homes.

The IPTV segment has excited all the heavyweight players – MTNL, BSNL, Bharti, Reliance Communications – which have invested heavily in the network. MTNL has already started its service. In the meantime, some service providers have experienced difficulties in getting television channels from the broadcasters at prices on which DTH service providers are getting in line with Trai’s determination of a-la-carte and bouquet prices on advisory basis.

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