BSNL, BT ink deal for managed networks

Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) has inked an agreement with BT to provide managed network services to enterprises in a bid to strengthen its information and communications technology (ICT)
offerings.
The two companies will provide full range of services including basic, leased line, MPLS VPN services,Internet, mobile and broadband services. Last month, BSNL had announced a similar agreement with Cable&Wireless. As part of this, BSNL will offer BT access to its pan-India broadband network as well as
seamless access services. The partnership also gives BT access to value added services as well as a single point of resolution for all queries and fault management services.
BSNL will get access to BT's global MPLS network and managed service expertise which includes, for example, network integration, managed security, managed datacenter, hosted contact centre and remote infrastructure management services.
“The BT-BSNL partnership brings together the world-class capabilities of both companies to provide a comprehensive IT and communications service capability in a single service offering. This provides customers with improved service, increased flexibility and reduced risks,” BT India MD Sudhir Narang said in a statement in Mumbai.
“As BSNL transforms into a premier integrated communications service provider, a robust managed service offering is key to our future operations, “ BSNL CMD Kuldeep Goyal said. This partnership will also focus on offering end-to-end services for large transformational projects and help raise the bar in the networked
IT industry, the release said.

BSNL to roll out IPTV in 98 cities by November

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, or BSNL, the state-run telco that is India's largest by revenue,
plans to use franchisees to roll out its IPTV, or Internet protocol television services, across 98 cities by the
end of November as it tries to grow this business even as demand for alternative ways of receiving
television signals increases.
BSNL has already appointed five franchisees: Aksh Optifibre, Smart Digivision Pvt Ltd, IOL Broadband
Ltd, Times Broadband Ltd and Maharashtra Knowledge Company Ltd (MKCL).
Apart from BSNL, which has already launched its IPTV services in some parts of the country, Bharti Airtel
Ltd and Reliance Communications Ltd, the country's largest and second largest mobile telephony firms by
customers are also preparing to launch IPTV services.
"The IPTV roll-out is being done on a private-public partnership (PPP) model and three franchisees are to
be allowed in each city after 4-5 months (of the launch by BSNL), depending on the potential of the area
of operation. We have done three commercial launches in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kukas, a small village
30km away from Jaipur city," said Anil Jain, deputy director general (broadband), BSNL.
Jain added that the company expected to serve 150,000 customers by March. "For the IPTV to take off,
there should be some differentiating factor for the users to subscribe to the service," said Kunal Bajaj,
managing director of consultant BDA Connect Pvt. Ltd. "The compelling factor will be interactive features
and value-added services."