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Dubai Investment Group buys 40pc of India's TBSL

In a statement released yesterday the DIG, which has extensive technical and managerial experience in the telecom sector because of investments in Maltacom and Tunisie Telecom, said it acquired the TBSL shares through its subsidiary, Dubai Ventures. "In line with its focus on emerging markets, DIG is expected to leverage IPTV-related business opportunities in India and beyond," the statement said.

The company's CEO, Abdulhakeem Kamkar, said India is one of DIG's key markets and has state-owned telecom firms that invest heavily in the latest technology. "We believe that through TBSL, we will be able to add value to the growing telecom sector in India," he said. Stressing that IPTV is the future for broadband content across multiple platforms, Kamkar said: "Our intention is not only to make this a success in India, but to help the company take this value proposition globally."

The statement said TBSL has plans to launch in its domestic market a bouquet of services such as satellite channels, new film releases, interactive TV and on-demand services for true broadband interactive experience at competitive rates.

It added that telecom operators entering the IPTV market must offer digital versatile disc, or DVD-quality video, to stay competitive.

"If technology is the enabler, content is the driver," said Sujata Dev, managing director, TBSL. "The success of IPTV depends on the right combination of these two elements. With the expertise and support of DIG as a strategic partner, we commit ourselves to offer a true IPTV experience and possibly to a global audience in the near future."