BSNL to introduce TV on demand in Himachal Pradesh

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Shimla
Being the largest telephone operator in Himachal Pradesh, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has drawn up plans to expand its Internet broadband network in the state as well as introduce TV on demand through IPTV and 3G services on mobile phones soon.

Speaking to Televisionpoint.com, Anil Kaushal, chief general manager, BSNL- Himachal said the state-owned company would shortly extend its broadband network to 400 more locations from 254 at present.

"With this planned expansion we will have a capacity to provide 56,000 broadband connections in the state. Presently, there are about 17,000 broadband connections being provided on land line phones and we are laying special emphasis on broadband expansion," he said.

BSNL's plans to launch IPTV had been finalized and the tariffs would be comparable with cable TV or DTH services. "At the moment the service has been introduced in Rajasthan and soon in Himachal too", he stated.

Faced with a problem of cable cutting and theft, the public sector operator has gone in for WLL connectivity in a big way and already has a 90,000 subscriber base. As loyalty reward, the company is offering a free SIM to customers who have been subscribers for a long time and for students a special discounted price scheme had been introduced, said Kaushal.