Cable operators gear up for IPTV

With CAS just round the corner, the cable operators are gearing up to offer value added services. One big initiative that seems to be on the move is the attempt to offer Internet and IPTV.

The players are already planning to offer set top boxes and with digitalisation it would also open up the way for Internet and IPTV. In fact, the race to digitalise content has already caught on equally among the non-CAS areas as well.

For instance, Ortel Communications that controls cable, including the last mile distribution in Orissa, has already readied itself for the future: "Our quality of transmission is good.

However, in a bid to offer many more channels like the DTH we have gone completely digital. In fact, we have commissioned Irdeto for digital data encryption and monetisation, as we want to proactively offer CAS," said Bibhu Rath, vice-president, Ortel Communications, Orissa.

"We also offer Internet through broadband. The company has already completed pilot project for voice connectivity and is now waiting for a unified license before it can offer full-fledged telephony service," he added.

According to him, the results have been interesting, as the firm is being evaluated by private equity and strategic investors.

Confirming the trend, Rahul Nehra, country manager and director, business development, South Asia and Singapore, IRDETO, said most cable operators are getting IPTV ready in terms of network infrastructure and equipment.

"We at IRDETO are offering a convergence CAS which can be used both for digital cable and IPTV," he added.

On a different note, Roop Sharma, president, Cable Operators Federation of India, said most cable operators are already ramping up to offer more services such as Internet, video on demand, local programming and content.

Girish Kothari, director, Home Cable Entertainment India, spoke about initiating pilot projects to see if IPTV can take off.

"We are geared up for CAS, the only worry is that the government should not back off and change rules. We are talking with players for exclusive content, gaming and video on demand," he said.

Meanwhile, working to supply such content is Only Entertainment, which has the rights for movies and gaming content among other things.

"We realise and recognise the potential of digital cable and IPTV and are aggressively looking for alliances to offer IPTV-specific content. We expect the cable and IPTV market to be at least 10 million subscriber strong by the year 2010," said Puja Kamaljit, director, Only Entertainment.