Ever since the announcement of JioFiber, broadband service providers are looking for new ways to launch Triple Play plans to the users. Government-owned BSNL, which is the largest wired-service provider with over 10 million customers under its belt is teaming up with Cable TV operators in various locations. According to our sources, BSNL's first leg of partnerships with Cable TV service providers is going in full swing in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat and so on. BSNL is already providing broadband and landline services to the customers in various locations, but with the help of Cable TV operators, it will bring three services together under one bill. It's also said that BSNL will help the Cable TV operators in bringing a new box that will converge all the three services like the ONT box from JioFiber.
BSNL Triple Play Plans to Take on JioFiber
As mentioned, BSNL has over 10 million wired-broadband subscribers under its belt, but the subscriber addition is not up to the mark, especially over the last couple of years. However, Reliance Jio is expected to surpass BSNL in less than six months with its JioFiber bundled plans. Right now, BSNL is providing landline and broadband plans to the customers, but JioFiber will provide landline, broadband and Cable TV services, starting at Rs 699 (excluding taxes). Although Reliance Jio's Set-Top Box will be of no use as the customer will have to take separate LCO connection to watch Live TV. But BSNL's partnership with the Cable TV operators will enable it to provide Triple Play services around the same price.
To counter JioFiber, BSNL is said to be partnering with local Cable TV operators in various cities with the first confirmed one being Vizag, in Andhra Pradesh State. In Vizag, BSNL has already teamed up with Cable TV operators like Sridevi Digital Private Limited and Saga Siti Solutions. Also, our sources mention that the company is in final talks with popular Cable TV operators in several regions of Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat and other states.
Talking about the BSNL's partnership in Vizag, the two operators combined said to have six lakh subscribers under their belt. So with this collaboration, BSNL is looking them to convert into Triple Play plan that will offer them Cable TV, broadband and landline calling services. That said, BSNL may not provide 100 Mbps broadband plan under the Triple Play plan, so JioFiber will still have an upper hand when it comes to broadband services.
JioFiber is also aiming to deliver the same thing. For Cable TV services, Reliance Jio has already partnered with popular operators like Hathway, Den Networks and it’s Smart Set-Top Box will receive signals from the local MSOs to deliver Television channels to the customers. Alternatively, Jio’ Set-Top Box will come pre-installed with JioTV app that offers more than 650 Live TV channels which can be viewed through the internet.
BSNL Triple Play Plans Likely to Start at Rs 700 to Counter JioFiber
Now, you might ask us what would be the pricing of BSNL Triple Play Plan? Well, the report says the government-owned PSU is expected to price the plans something around Rs 700. Right now, BSNL’s landline plan per month costs around Rs 170 and its broadband plan monthly cost come around Rs 440 (on an average, there are cheaper plans available too). A standard Cable TV operator is currently charging Rs 200 to Rs 300, so the overall price comes around Rs 900.
Earlier, BSNL was expected to rollout Triple Play services by Dussehra this year. And yes, the company is testing these plans in some locations, according to these services. But the broader rollout is expected to begin by the end of November. Since the company has to work on partnerships with Cable TV operators, our sources indicate BSNL will launch the service only in limited areas for now.
