India may relax IPTV hardware tax

[BGonaSTICK]

The Indian government will consider tax relaxation on the hardware for Internet Protocol television (IPTV) in the 11th Five-year Plan as part of its efforts to achieve complete coverage of digital television by 2012. To advance the provision of a wider choice to consumers, the IPTV India Forum has been informed that the government’s Planning Commission will soon initiate the process of consultation between different ministries.

The commission, in its document on digital television, has envisaged expansion of digital television to the entire country in phases beginning in 2008. IPTV will also be part of that plan. In a presentation to the commission, the IPTV Forum promised IPTV service at a highly affordable price for viewing channels on personal computers and mobile handsets.

The forum has said that standardisation of the interface and protocols are necessary to promote competition and ensure affordability and convenience. Issues related to the quality of service and tariffs should also be handled in the respective licensing regimes.

The commission has clarified that the government will sort out the regulatory issues by end of this year. The market for IPTV in India is expected to grow from 10 million connections in 2007 to 20 million by 2010, reports IPTV Watch.

Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union via Media Network Weblog