UTStarcom, Aksh To Deploy IPTV Solution In 20 Cities

UTStarcom has announced a contract with Aksh Optifibre to deploy its end-to-end RollingStream Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) solution in 20 cities on BSNL’s ADSL 2+ network, a UTStarcom-built multiplay infrastructure that currently supports more than 75 percent of the active wirelines in India.

The IPTV offering, which will be made available to more than 250,000 BSNL broadband subscribers in 20 cities throughout India with Aksh’s iControl service, will give both large cities and small towns the opportunity to experience interactive entertainment such as time-shifting, video-on-demand (VOD), interactive gaming, live television voting and distance learning programmes.

“Demand for IPTV in India is increasing exponentially and UTStarcom is supplying Aksh with the solutions and infrastructure it needs to continue that momentum,” said Dr Kailash S Choudhari, chairman and managing director at Aksh Optifibre. “UTStarcom’s understanding of the market and ability to produce innovative technology allows Aksh to easily advance its IPTV strategy in India and improve the viewing experience for our customers, while also meeting internal operational goals.”

BSNL currently delivers the most comprehensive portfolio of communications services and maintains the greatest reach of all broadband and wireline operators in India; as a result, both Aksh and UTStarcom’s IPTV footprint within India will increase significantly in terms of scope of deployments and total commercially-deployed customer base upon completion of this BSNL IPTV network.

“India is moving toward becoming a top IPTV market and companies such as Aksh and BSNL are making inroads to turn those aspirations into reality,” said Vijay Yadav, vice president and managing director, South Asia operations, UTStarcom. “RollingStream’s end-to-end architecture allows it to be both flexible and long-reaching in scope to support deployments in a small populated town or an entire country or region. Through BSNL’s network and UTStarcom technology, Aksh will build an iControl IPTV base that will change the way most of India utilises television in their daily lives.”