Growing New Fins?

The ecosystem around MSOs is on the cusp of a transformation and gives them an opportunity to enter the telecom mainstream.

The ongoing cable TV digitization in India has stoked the potential that multi-service operators (MSOs) long have had—to double up as internet service providers (ISPs). Even though many MSOs are already providing internet and broadband services, the opportunity is still far from being well realized. But could cable TV networks succeed where the mainstream broadband technology DSL has struggled to accelerate and others like fiber have only seen niche adoption and usage?

Historically, India has repeatedly failed when trying to achieve its broadband targets through the wireline route, so it is fair to be sceptical about the possibility that it could succeed the next time around.

However, some key developments could potentially make MSOs succeed where telcos and pure-play internet service providers have not.

Where there’s a TV, there can be a PC

India is home to an estimated 169 million TV households, comprising a mix of cable connections and DTH subscriptions, among others. What if these TVs could double up as PCs?

This opportunity didn’t exist until recently, as the mass