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New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) The IPTV Forum has urged the Centre to come out with its guidelines for making the new mode of delivering the TV signals available across the country.

The IPTV or the Internet Protocol Television is a technology of distributing television programming via broadband networks. It provides content through broadband using Internet Protocol.

In India the IPTV holds immense potential in redefining the way entertainment is offered and consumed and furthering India's broadband penetration.

Chairman IPTV India Forum Shymal Ghosh said, "The I&B Ministry guidelines are very critical for accelerated growth of IPTV. Once this happens IPTV networks will compete with cable, HITS and DTH distribution platforms.'' Pointing out that a few months ago telecom regulator TRAI had given its recommendations to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for determining the policy guidelines for providing the IPTV services in the country, he said the matter should be expedited to give the needed boost to the IPTV sector.

In India there are 70 million cable homes, 286 million mobile phones, 40 million land line connections and 4.39 million Internets enabled broadband connections.

Due to convergence of technologies, television can be viewed on all available mediums. In this converged era, cable TV operators can also provide broadband for internet and voice over IP, and Telecom service providers can give a single medium - a land line phone -for voice, data and video thus creating a triple play effect.

Till date several telecom operators including MTNL, BSNL, RCOM, Airtel are known to be setting up IPTV networks. In some cities MTNL and BSNL have already allowed franchisees to start the business.

UNI NAZ GT BST1827