[imranlove]

MUMBAI: Reliance Communications will launch internet protocol television (IPTV) in 10 Indian cities, including four metros, by the end of 2008 fiscal, chairman Anil Ambani has said.

IPTV, which works on video signals received via the Net using a set-top box, will make TV watching more interactive and help an individual watch his or her favourite programmes any time they like.

However, by the time Reliance Communications launches its IPTV services, Tata and Bharti Airtel would have already launched their IPTV network. MTNL has already launched IPTV and BSNL is about to launch its services soon.

This delay, say analysts, would make things difficult for Reliance Communications as competition in the segment is going to hot up. Also, Reliance Communications’ IPTV blue print is not yet ready and there is no news of the company talking to any content provider for this purpose.

On their part, industry experts say that Reliance Communications is not yet convinced about the kind of revenues IPTV will generate for the company.

The Asia-Pacific IPTV market revenues are projected to cross the $3-billion mark by 2013, from about $353.4 million in 2006.

The revenues in the region are likely to close at $512.4 million next year, according to global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan report surveying 12 major Asia-Pacific markets such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, etc.

IPTV allows tremendous eye-popping features — customers can track how many gaming minutes their children have used during the month; they can also organise the types of news, sports and other updates they receive.