iWorld
BSNL dials up entertainment with BiTV launch across India
MUMBAI- BSNL isn’t just about dial tones and broadband anymore, it’s now in the business of binge-watching! The state-run telecom giant has teamed up with OTTplay to roll out BiTV, a next-gen internet TV service offering 450+ live channels, including premium content, alongside exclusive shows from Bhaktiflix, Kanccha Lannka, Stage, Shortfundly, Om TV, Playflix, Fancode, Hubhopper, Distro, and Runn TV.
After a successful pilot in Pudicherry, BSNL – India’s public sector telco which has been making waves by snaring wireless (32.68 million) and wired line broadband (4.24 million) subscribers to touch 36.92 million broadbad subscribers – has taken the plunge into pan-India streaming, betting big on its expansive telecom network to deliver seamless, high-quality entertainment straight to users’ smartphones. The PSU also has close to 90 million wired and wireless telephony subscribers.
But in a market flooded with OTT services, can BSNL’s BiTV truly dial up a new era in digital entertainment, or will it be just another signal lost in the noise?
For mobile users of BSNL, getting on BiTV is the simplest thing:
* Visit fms.bsnl.in/iptvreg
* Choose their state, input registered mobile number and get OTP authentication
* Get the OTTplay app through SMS link or download directly from the App Store/Google Play Store
* Login with the registered number and stream away!
BSNL FTTH users aren’t being left behind either. BiTV can be accessed through BSNL Wi-Fi hotspots and FTTH home connections so that users do not have data woes while high-speed streaming is ensured. Non-BSNL users can join the party as well by paying through UPI to access the high-speed Wi-Fi network of BSNL.
BSNL, says in reality, it is trying to build through digital transformation, whereas private telecom giants and OTT disruptors create more competition.
BSNL, chairman & managing director Robert J Ravi at the BiTV launch called it a “game-changing moment, making the company not just a provider of telecom services but enabler of a digital lifestyle. The simplicity of our interface ensures that even the least tech-savvy users can navigate BiTV with ease. This is the first of many efforts to make premium entertainment accessible to our customers, even in areas with limited digital reach,” said Ravi.
The enthusiasm was echoed by OTTPLAY CEO & co-founder AvinashMudaliar who goes thus: “It was a lightning-fast execution of the partnership from discussion on 21 December 2024 to a full-scale national rollout on 30 January 2025. That is practically warp-speed launch in the world of public-sector projects!”
BSNL aims to stream into the future without breaking the bank, BSNL’s secret weapon? Affordability.
While others charge premium for their premium content, BSNL is gifting BiTV free of charge to its customers. It can be streamed in high definition with low data usage through intranet and the navigation is simple and user-friendly.
And the best part? There’s more to come. Mudaliar hinted at an exciting IPL-related announcement in the pipeline, which might turn BiTV into a go-to platform for sports lovers.
Competition is tough with JioCinema, Disney+ Hotstar, and Netflix, and BSNL has its work cut out. But it isn’t just relying on content—it’s leveraging its nationwide network, low-cost model, and accessibility-first approach to break into India’s OTT space.
The big question is: can BSNL sustain the momentum, or will this be another case of a promising public-sector project losing steam?
For now, the company is holding its ground, streaming strong, and promising more surprises ahead. BSNL is no longer just connecting calls; it is now connecting entertainment too.
Wait and watch; the next quarter’s user adoption numbers will show whether BiTV is a blockbuster hit or background noise in India’s OTT revolution!
iWorld
X launches XChat messaging app on iOS with calls and encryption
Standalone app marks shift from “everything app” vision, adds E2E messaging.
MUMBAI: From one big app to many small chats, X seems to be splitting its ambitions. X has rolled out its standalone messaging app, XChat, to iOS users, opening up a new front in its evolving product strategy. The app allows users to connect with existing X contacts through private and group messages, file sharing, as well as audio and video calls. The launch follows a limited beta phase, where the platform tested the product with a smaller user base to refine the experience. Now available publicly, XChat marks a notable pivot from earlier ambitions championed by Elon Musk to turn X into a single “everything app” combining messaging, payments, commerce and more.
Instead, the company under xAI ownership and backed by SpaceX appears to be building a suite of standalone applications, each targeting specific use cases while expanding its broader ecosystem.
At launch, XChat includes end-to-end encrypted messaging, PIN-based access, disappearing messages, and features such as message editing, deletion for all participants, and screenshot blocking. The company has also said the app is free from advertisements and tracking mechanisms, positioning it as a privacy-first alternative in a crowded messaging space.
However, security claims around the platform are likely to face scrutiny. Earlier iterations of XChat drew criticism from experts who argued it fell short of established encrypted platforms like Signal. With the wider rollout, the app is expected to undergo fresh evaluation to assess whether those concerns have been addressed.
Beyond messaging, XChat will also house X’s Communities feature, which is being discontinued on the main platform due to low usage and spam concerns. Migrating these users could provide an early boost to adoption, effectively turning XChat into both a communication and community hub.
The move underscores a broader recalibration at X less about cramming everything into one app, and more about spreading bets across multiple touchpoints, one message at a time.
