MTNL is commercially launching India’s first 3G-driven mobile TV services, in collaboration with Alcatel-Lucent and Aksh Optifibre. This new offer is poised to make multimedia and entertainment a reality for millions of MTNL mobile subscribers in the metro cities of Delhi and Mumbai. The service was launched in March 2010.
Specifically Aksh, pioneers of IPTV, VoIP services and optical network solutions in India, leverages Alcatel-Lucent’s cost-effective, flexible mobile streaming server to provide an enhanced user experience – thanks to its bandwidth adaptation and video optimization capabilities – as well as enable generate additional revenue for MTNL.
“At Aksh, our commitment is to deliver ubiquitous technology and path-breaking innovation. We are proud to enable India's first 3G mobile TV in Delhi and Mumbai. Mobile TV as a value-added feature epitomizes convergence in technology realizing the distant dream of live television viewing on the move. Our association with Alcatel-Lucent enables us to materialize that Indian 3G subscriber’s aspiration for a revolutionary product,” said Dr. Kailash Choudhari, Managing Director, Aksh Optifibre.
“Streaming video is the fastest-growing data service and is a key enabler for mobile operators to justify investment in 3G and LTE technologies,” said Vivek Mohan, Managing Director, Alcatel-Lucent, India. “Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile streaming server offers an exceptional viewing experience, high quality video from the very first video frame, and fast and seamless stream switching when zapping between TV channels.”
Alcatel-Lucent will provide its Mobile Streaming Server; an off-the-shelf solution to launch video services on 2.5G and 3G networks. The Mobile Streaming Server supports all types of standard-based media formats and dynamic switching from high-bit rate to low-bit rate streaming based on network coverage and bandwidth availability, hence lowering cost of ownership.
The new mobile TV service will help Aksh Optifiber extend its existing IPTV service, iControl, currently offered to the MTNL subscribers. The new partnership will also further cement Alcatel-Lucent’s role in the development of new advanced mobile services for MTNL and of 3G in India.
