The Internet that created a dynamic revolution to almost all new technologies has affected the television in a very big way. Gone are the days of watching TV channels via cable. Now in this Internet age television experience is becoming more interactive and personal. Instead of being bombarded with more than a hundred channels, you will get content that you opt to receive with a much richer experience.

Whatever you are looking for, be it a new video on demand, a digital video recording, an instant channel changing or a personalized media sharing, you're sure to find something to suit among the range of goodies offered to you by the new IPTV, powered by the Microsoft Media room platform, delivering an entirely new connected and personalized TV experience for Indian consumers. In India, IPTV has made its presence early in November 2006 with MTNL taking in the first step and others following. Now Reliance is about to make a bigger splash in the Indian television experience, by signing a $500-million deal with Microsoft to provide internet television and allied services to Indian consumers from March 2008. With the launch of IPTV- a new revolution in technology, there is going to be a big change in the way consumers experience television.

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is the delivery of broadcast-quality television and video signals to subscribers over a broadband connection using the Internet Protocol (IP). The significant feature is the provision of two-way interactive communication, which allows consumers to watch television while using the telephone line and broadband internet connection. Through IPTV, television content could be viewed through technologies used for computer networks, which in the past, was unsuccessful with slower download speed. Now the situation change as residential IPTV is expected to grow at a brisk pace as broadband is becoming more common among the Indians. The service will be powered by Microsoft's Media room Internet protocol television (IPTV) software.

This revolutionary new IPTV will give viewers complete control over home entertainment with an imaginative approach and relentless innovation in various new features like video on demand (VOD), digital video recording (DVR), instant channel changing, and personal media sharing. At the click of a button from the comfort of their homes, the subscribers can enjoy a connected entertainment experience that will soon allow them to watch their favorite shows on their TV or PC.

Starting with Mumbai and Delhi, Reliance plans to roll out its IPTV service in the top 30 cities after the two metro rollouts by the end of year 2008 with a target of five million customers in 200 cities. Now for the first time in India, IPTV subscribers will be able to watch popular standard definition (SD) content as well as high-definition (HD) content with an offer of more choice, control and convenience. Now it is possible for you and your geographically separated friend to watch a movie together, while chatting and exchanging files simultaneously. Now it's up to the consumers to sit back and enjoy their advanced tele-viewing experience.

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