IN Network, late last year, had proposed to offer Internet services to subscribers using its cable TV network and had even drawn up plans to invest an estimated Rs 350 crore in the venture.

However, its proposal had hit a roadblock with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) disallowing such a move. DoT in its Internet policy announced in January this year had disallowed Cable TV operators from using their existing backbone for offering Internet services. But, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), in an order in February, had invalidated DoT's Internet policy on the grounds that the regulator was not consulted while drafting the policy.

The IN Network has already tested point to point Internetservices to a few of its subscribers by providing the access offline (by downloading a few web pages at its host computer and offering it to subscribers).

If allowed, the company would be the first in the country to offer Internet services over cable TV network and of the first in the world to do so. It would also mean a dramatic increase in the number of people connected to the Internet as the services would be made available to lakhs of people serviced by the cable operator. It would also mean a substantial reduction in costs for the subscribers as they will not have to invest in a computer.

To surf the Net in a service offered by the cable operator, the subscriber would just have to install a set top box on top of this television and avoid investing in a PC. The set top box would display a computer keyboard on the TV screen, which can be controlled by a remote. The user can key in any website address, thus eliminating the need for a PC.

Worldover there is a convergence taking place betweenentertainment and communication and what the company plans is in line with international trends. IN Network has about 2.3 million subscribers in the country of which one million are in Mumbai and about four lakh in Delhi. The company operates its own network in nine cities and provides its services through franchisees in another 22 cities.