Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India’s state-run telecom operator, is set to launch its BSNL Live TV service commercially soon. Currently in testing phases in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, BSNL is calling this service a “first in India.” While JioTV+ already offers a similar service, BSNL Live TV differentiates itself in keyways. Here’s how.
BSNL Live TV Launch and Unique Features
BSNL is collaborating with a partner company to roll out its Live TV services. According to a representative from this partner, after commissioning in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, BSNL will launch the service across India in phases. Initially, the service will be available exclusively to BSNL FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) customers.
Unlike JioTV+, which relies on HLS-based streaming and uses internet data, BSNL Live TV operates independently of the user’s internet plan. This means customers won’t consume any data from their existing plan while streaming TV channels, and the service will continue even if internet connectivity drops. The BSNL Live TV app will first be available on the Android TV platform, offering live TV channels along with a video-on-demand (VOD) library.
BSNL is still considering how to integrate this service with its commercial FTTH plans, and additional details are expected as the rollout progresses.