The Hindu Business Line : BSNL value-added broadband set for commercial launch

An official with BSNL told Business Line that the testing and observation was in the final stages and the service was expected to be launched in October.

The service was launched in Bangalore nearly nine months ago on a trial basis. Data One Broadband allows customers access to various services through a set top box. It allows customers to access high speed Internet at 256 Kbps, telephone services and video streaming and conferencing facilities. The customers will also be able to get entertainment on demand through access to two television channels, which will telecast movies, music videos and games.

"The service is being fine tuned before we open it up for others," the BSNL official said. He said the Bangalore-based I-Spatial which is providing the content and technology, is carrying out the trials along with BSNL among a few select subscribers. The Data One Broadband was launched by the then BSNL Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Prithipal Singh, as part of a move to arrest the fall in landline subscriber base and to increase revenues.

When the service was launched on a trial basis, the customers were charged a monthly fee of Rs 999. The tariff structure may be changed once the service is launched commercially. The set-top boxes can either be bought at a one-time payment or through financing schemes.

As per the revenue-sharing agreement, I-Spatial will get 70 per cent of the revenues, while the rest will go to BSNL. The contract with I-Spatial is for 10 years. BSNL is looking at franchisee options in different circles as it believes that the market for such a service is huge.

BSNL expects to offer more services as the demand for this service grows. Some of the additional services proposed are audio conferencing, broadcast digital TV, personal Web site and for commercial use, enterprise service and managed LAN service.