Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) in tie up with IOL Broadband Limited, has launched the Internet Protocol Television (IP TV) in Mumbai. They are offering the subscribers to access 24 TV channels @ Rs. 199/- (special introductory fee). The service allows user to simultaneously make calls and surf the Internet on the broadband services. We will also be able to get video and music on demand services which is similar to watching Video CD's / DVD's using a VCD / DVD player. Movies, Instructional Videos and other content will also be available to customers. And not only this, we also have the e-learning services, where you will actually be able to directly attend seminars, interactive classrooms and meeting rooms etc... Whoa!

All we need to have is the following 3 services from MTNL:-
Normal Telephone Service
Broadband Internet service
IPTV service

The TV Channels are said to be getting increased to 200 very soon.

How does it 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 a software that can handle viewer requests to access to many available media sources.

The viewer's TV connects to a Set Top Box (STB) that decodes the IP video and converts it into standard television signals. The STB is the gateway to an IP video switching system. The Switched Video Service (SVS) system allows viewers to access broadcast network channels, subscription services, and movies on demand. The consumer can access different media by using the television remote to send control commands to the SVS. The unit processes the request and displays the requested media type. Though there are many possible media sources, only one video channel is utilized in the process.
IPTV is an emerging technology and will evolve into a completely interactive experience in the future!

To make this all understand more simpler, IPTV will be a television content that, instead of being delivered through traditional formats and cabling, is received by the viewer through the technologies used for computer networks.

Some advantages on IPTV, and more

MTNL has answered the FAQ's here

So with this launch, we can now imagine a lot more than the DTH services provided by DishTV and TataSky in India. Just keep watching how the technology now moves with the already launched Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and now very soon I guess will Microsoft TV IPTV Edition come to India. Watch this Microsoft TV IPTV Edition Demonstration and also more from Cisco

MTNL has not yet announced the actual Tariff but it is not even far away! Well I am very much satisfied with the telephone service and the broadband service MTNL is providing me and looking forward for the next service... IPTV :) The only complaint I have with them is their response time to the initial setup and installation is a much extended process and need a lot of follow up's but I feel, by now they should improve.

MTNL hai toh sahi hai :)

IOL Broadband has a subscription form for IPTV service here. If need further information, we may fill it up and either a MTNL or IOL representative will get back to us. Or just check up with MTNL helpline on 1800228844 or 1504 (only from MTNL phone) or check your nearest helpline.