UTStarcom eyes Eastern Europe, N America for IPTV  

Bhaskar Hazarika

NEW DELHI: UTStarcom is focusing on Eastern Europe and North America to
market Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). 

UTStarcom is a global player in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and
international service and support. 

The company sells its broadband, wireless and handset solutions to operators
in telecommunications markets worldwide. 

According to Brian Caskey, vice president (Worldwide Marketing) of UTStarcom,
most of the telecos worldwide are eyeing to launch IPTV following the initial
success of IPTV in China. 

“We have launched IPTV in China with two telecom service providers: China
Telecom and China Netcom, and have more than five lakh subscribers. Major
telecom service providers have shown interest in launching this service and we
are in the stage of discussion with some of them,” Caskey said. 

However, he refused to reveal the identity of the telecos, with whom
UTStarcom is in discussions. 

“We are targeting the markets in Eastern Europe and North America. However,
Asia-Pacific market will remain as the important market for us. China, Japan and
India are the major markets in the APAC region,” he added. 

UTStarcom has recently launched IPTV in India with Mahanagar Telephone Nigam
Limited (MTNL). According to MTNL authorities they receive more than 26,000
enquiries daily for IPTV. 

On the APAC market, Caskey said that they have also rolled out Next
Generation Networks (NGN) in Phillipines, Vietnam and Taiwan. He hinted at the
possibility of launching IPTV in these areas as well.