BSNL soft-launches Triple Play service in Pune

Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) soft-launched on Saturday its Triple Play service that will offer voice, internet and television through a single connection to the customers.

BSNL's director of planning and new services Ram Lakhan Dubey who did the soft launch, said the service will be under test for a fortnight or so after which it will be validated and made ready for the formal release. Dubey said BSNL will offer the new service to the existing subscribers of broadband service in the initial stage.

BSNL will lay fresh copper cables to offer this multi-play network, Dubey said adding that the network will replace broadband cables which were meant primarily for high-speed internet access. "We have ordered the equipment and the work will start in the next month or so," Dubey said.

Triple Play will make it possible for the subscribers to use television, internet and voice service at once. Television option will offer entertainment channels as well as interactive e-learning options and eventually e-governance and e-commerce services. SMS, TV to TV communication and close group broadcast as well as radio or video will also be made available 'on demand' in the second stage.

A subscriber will have to pay the initial cost of the set-top box,   installation and the a charge as per his usage. The three types of usage will be billed for separately, Dubey said. He indicated that the monthly charge may be in the area of Rs 200 for the television option.

Films will be offered in pakages of two, four or six initially and in the later stages a subscriber can even pay for one film and watch it. He said the initial payment as well as monthly charges are being fine-tuned and will be announced with the full commercial launch of the service.

Broadband customers in Pune will get the service free till it is commercially launched or upto 31 December, whichever is earlier.

BSNL has tied up with Pune based DiviNet Access Technologies for technology and networking and with Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation for educational content.

Dubey informed that the government has set a target of making available five million BSNL broadband connections throughout the country in the year 2007. BSNL has already placed orders for 3 million modems for broadband connections which will be made available by March 2007, he said.