Microsoft announced a tie-up with Reliance Anil D. Ambani Group (RADAG) worth $500 million (Rs.19.7 billion) to launch Internet protocol television (IPTV) and allied services in India here Monday.

The IPTV services will first be launched in New Delhi and Mumbai, followed by the other metros, said RADAG chairman Anil Ambani.

'Reliance will enjoy exclusive deployment rights for the Microsoft platform in India,' he added.

The service will be interactive, personal and hi-tech, said Anil Ambani.

Ambani also said that Reliance would launch direct-to-home (DTH) services in the country in the next few months. There are currently 100 million TV homes in India, he pointed out.

Microsoft will power the service through a sophisticated fibre optic network in the country.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Ambani were present at the announcement ceremony.

Also present were Ravi Venkatesan, chairman, Microsoft India, and Prakash Bajpai, president, Reliance Communications. The companies would also co-operate on rural broadband, mobile telephony, gaming and entertainment in the Indian market.

ITvoir Network