India's HFCL Targets Triple Play
FEBRUARY 10, 2006
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With India's telcos testing the waters for IPTV, Punjab-based
operator HFCL
Infotel Ltd. is putting the pieces in place to offer triple-play
through its Connect Broadband subsidiary.
HFCL announced Thursday it has formed a strategic partnership
with the country's largest broadcaster, Star TV, to offer
TV channels and video-on-demand content over its broadband
network, and make the feed available to local cable operators
on a franchise basis.
That follows its tie-up with Vistula
Communications Inc. to launch VOIP services for consumer
and business customers by the end of the first quarter. Vistula
will integrate its hosted IP Centrex platform, V-Cube, into
the HFCL network and manage the service. (See Vistula
Launches in India.)
HFCL plans to invest 6 billion rupees (US$135.72 million)
in converged services over the next two years, and says it
will raise $150 million by issuing additional shares in overseas
markets to finance the expansion.
The operator, which is also offering TV service over cable,
is in talks with IPTV equipment vendors and plans to run a
pilot in the next four to six weeks. It will initially roll
out service in Punjab and Chandigarh, with plans to extend
it to five other states.
As Indian carriers build out their networks to increase fixed-line
penetration, they see IPTV services as a way to boost revenues
from India's limited number of broadband connections. According
to January figures from the Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) , the country has
just one million broadband connections. HFCL, which offers
mobile as well as fixed-line services, has 40,000 residential
broadband subscribers.
HFCL noted its partnership with Star allows both companies
"to tap into the new business opportunities that will
get thrown up with the launch of IP-based services,"
which a slew of operators are planning for this year. (See
Bharti
Watches UTStarcom for IPTV and ZTE
Gives Indian Carrier Some Credit.)
- Nicole Willing, Reporter, Light
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