ACT Television, a Bangalore-based multisystem operator (MSO), has launched its ACT Interactive TV service, IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) today in the city.

Sunder Raju, MD, ACT Television, said: "ACT wanted to bring the digital experience at an affordable rate to all with this interactive TV, or otherwise called triple-play service, as it allows TV broadcasting, Internet access and telephony. ACT has launched this Rs 450 crore venture, the first of its kind here, eyeing the vast potential in cable industry."

"We have partnered with Cisco, Verismo, Vermatrix, MRO-Tek, Scopus, Oracle and E&Y to bridge the digital divide and bring education, telephony, broadband, banking, Internet and entertainment under one umbrella with this compact, palm-sized, set-top-box," he added.

"We don't see a competition for another few more months and are ready to take up the competition with the technology and experience we have. ACT Television, also providing services at Indore, Nellore and Vijayawada, with a subscriber base of 5.5 lakhs, is also set to bring in value-added services and build on triple play, including data and voice soon, and targets about 1 lakh subscribers in Bangalore, over the next 18-24 months, in its IPTV segment," Raju added.

Consumers would have to avail ACT Television's product as well as services to make use of its features and company claimed that the pricing would be cheap yet competitive.

ACT IPTV features:

ACT Video on Demand: A library of about 4,500 movies in Kannada, Hindi and Tamil. Soon, it will be adding Telugu and English films too.

YouTube on Demand: Movie clips, movies and songs through YouTube on your TV

Videos Online: Watch any video available on the Internet

ACT Live Shift: Pause, rewind and play live TV.

ACT Spot Record: Record one program while watching another and schedule multiple program recording (Up to eight programs.