RComm to launch IPTV service early next year with Microsoft solution

Mumbai, Nov 5 (UNI) Joining the exclusive club of IPTV service providers in the country, Reliance Communications (RComm) will commercially launch its IPTV service in the metros early next year.

Announcing the IPTV plans of the company in presence of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer here today, Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani said, ''It has taken us a while to come to this level and in regard to IPTV, we want to offer the best to the consumers.'' Reliance has partnered with Microsoft for providing IPTV solution.

The service will be powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom platform, which will allow RComm to deliver personalised television.

Reliance plans to invest 200 millions dollars in IPTV in coming years which will be done in phases.

''We will first launch IPTV in metros and, depending on the response, we will roll out the service in 30 more cities. The pricing of the IPTV service will be competitive,'' Mr Ambani added.

He said the direct-to-home service of the company will be launched over the next two months.

''Television is the only major digital device that has been left out of the networking revolution, and Microsoft in association with Reliance is trying to make the TV a truly connected interactive entertainment landscape,'' Mr Ballmer said.

PTV service in India is now being offerd only by state-run MTNL in Delhi and Mumbai, and at present there is no clear indication how much of the content and advertising is really reaching the audience and what the returns for the spends are.

UNI