Tech Mahindra to tap IPTV market

Banking on its success of offering Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)-solutions to two broadcasters in US and UK, Tech Mahindra is eyeing the emerging IPTV segment in the country.

The company, which has developed IPTV solutions and services, is close to a client win from the carrier segment and a couple of customers from the enterprise sector.

"The emergence of triple play is opening up an array of opportunities in TV, telephone and video segments in the country and we have developed our own tools to tap this segment. We are working closely with broadband companies for providing the solutions, while we would also be undertaking network design for our clients, Tech Mahindra President (International Operations) C P Gurnani told Business Standard here today.

However, according to sources said the company is close to finalising a couple of deals - one with a carrier major and a couple of others from the enterprise segment - which are expected to be signed soon.

The names of the clients could not be ascertained. Tech Mahindra was in talks with carriers like MTNL, BSNL and VSNL, and broadcasters like Zee TV, Sahara TV and SUN Networks. Gurnani neither confirmed not denied the news.

Tech Mahindra is offering a range of solutions that help in content packaging and distribution, network designing (including testing of network and its capacity) for TVs, TV on mobile phones and high definition TV in the country.

According to Tech Mahindra Group Head (NGN Solutions & Services) Balaji T S, IPTV can be termed as the merger of telecom and computers.

The technology will enable broadcaster to offer targeted advertisements and merchandising of products, apart from garnering a subscribtion-based revenues.