UTStarcom has signed a new contract with Aksh Optifibre that expands the operator’s deployment of the RollingStream Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) solution.

Aksh originally selected UTStarcom in early 2007 to deliver the first commercial IPTV service in India through Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) in Delhi. The current contract helps Aksh extend its reach and deliver the same IPTV services to subscribers of MTNL in Mumbai, India.

Aksh announced the launch of its IPTV and VoIP services in Mumbai on the MTNL network in March 2008, as an expansion to the initial launch of these services on the MTNL Delhi network in July 2007.

"UTStarcom's RollingStream IPTV solution is a completely IP-based platform that will enable better delivery of the interactive entertainment services we plan to extend to our customers," said Dr Kailash S Choudhari, managing director, Aksh Optifibre.

UTStarcom's RollingStream end-to-end IPTV system supports more than 850,000 live IPTV subscribers globally. The system maintains a current total system capacity exceeding 2.5 million subscribers as a result of recent successful deployments in China with China Netcom and China Telecom, in India with Bharti Airtel, MTNL/Aksh and United Telecoms Limited, in Sri Lanka with SLT, in Japan with Softbank, in Latin America with Brasil Telecom, in Taiwan with Markwell and in Europe with Jersey Telecom.

"IPTV is building steady momentum in India and UTStarcom’s understanding of the growing environment gives us a market advantage," said Vijay Yadav, vice president and managing director, South Asia operations, UTStarcom. "UTStarcom's relationship with Aksh will assist the operator in bringing more IPTV-based services to its customers, increasing revenue opportunities and maintaining its position in the Indian market."