BSNL to offer voice, TV and internet on single line

Mumbai: State-run BSNL will offer voice, cable TV and internet services on a single line by the second half of the current year as it bids to match service quality of private operators and boost revenues.

The state-run operator hopes to generate a new revenue source from  triple play - voice, video, internet services - as the growth of its fixed-line revenues remains stagnant. (See: Convergence: Triple play broadband)

BSNL will provide multi service access network-based multi-service broadband access to customers on a network architecture and solution that would be able to support services like voice, high speed internet access and IPTV on a large scale, an official of the PSU said. BSNL plans to offer both pre-paid and post-paid broadband services, the official said, adding that the company has already issued tenders for three lakh lines.

The three-in-one service, offering voice, broadband and cable TV on a single line is called triple play. The subscribers will be able to get voice telephony, broadband and cable TV along with video-on-demand on a single telephone line.

The new service could catapult BSNL to a high-end service provider offering basic internet access service with speed ranging from 256 kbps to 16 Mbps and TV over IP Service, which BSNL has launched in Pune on a limited basis.

IPTV facilitates distribution of broadcast TV channels in digital mode on the broadband network to the customer and is converted back to a analog format in the home for reception on a standard television set. For this BSNL will have to tie up with TV channels.