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Television
viewers in India will no longer have to be disappointed for
missing their favorite program on TV as they can now watch
their favorite sitcoms and movies at their own preferred time
and convenience rather than worrying about the scheduled time
of a particular program's telecast. All this could be possible
courtesy Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)a revolutionary
technology where digital television service is delivered to
the subscribers using the Internet Protocol over a broadband
connection. It covers both live telecast as well as stored
video (Video on Demand). Sensing its potential in India, the
local Telcos are gearing up to offer IPTV.
Earlier,
the implementation of this technology was impossible with
slow dial-up network and limited bandwidth. However, with
the advent of faster broadband, it is now possible to transmit
high quality content through broadband network. Already, big
players like MTNL, BSNL, have franchised with the Israel-based
Optibase, a digital head-end video solutions provider, and
have begun such services on a trial basis. Conversely, global
players like Microsoft, Alcatel and Ericsson are in talks
with operators to offer IPTV. According to Dick Anderson,
General Manager, IBM Digital Media, "IPTV operates more
like a 24-hour grocery store. Consumers can pick and choose
TV shows as easily as they can pick a can of soup from among
the 50 choices on a store's shelf.
Already,
IPTV is a big hit in the Western world, including the US and
Europe; in Asia too countries like South Korea have successfully
been using IPTV. Further, big broadcasters like BBC have announced
to offer their program over Internet for downloading. And
given the optimistic forecasts by experts, the future of IPTV
looks bright in India too, which enjoys a huge consumer base
and a growing middle-class, with the fast changing lifestyle
of its people where they have little or no time to stick to
TV program schedules. |
