In anticipation of the issuance of the 3G licenses by next year, optical fibre manufacturer Aksh Optifibre is gearing up to offer quad play. The company has already tested this technology and is keenly waiting for allocation of the 3G spectrum.
In an interaction with FE, Ashok Kumar Wahi, head, strategic initiatives, Aksh Optifibre informed the company was ready to move from the triple-play technology to quadruple-play offering voice, video, data and mobility through the same cable. ?We have already explained the technology to MTNL as we have the proof of concept for Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) on mobile using the quad play. Moreover experiments have been conducted in Mumbai where MTNL already has 3G spectrum. We are open to tie-ups with other telecom players as well,? he said.
The company has launched its IPTV services in 22 cities under brand name- icontrol in collaboration with MTNL and BSNL. Aksh Optifibre has a seven-year agreement with MTNL to provide IPTV services in Delhi and Mumbai and a ten-year agreement with BSNL for providing services to 20 cities including Jaipur, Shimla, Jammu, Meerut and Agra. The services can potentially reach over 4 million MTNL broadband customers in Delhi and Mumbai and over 6 million BSNL broadband customers in 20 cities.
?We have about 8,000 subscribers in Delhi and 2,000 subscribers in Mumbai. We expect the subscriber base to touch the 0.5 million mark over the next three years. The services will be formally launched in Punjab next month and then expanded to other cities. BSNL has plans to launch its IPTV in 96 towns? Wahi added.