Vastar Cable TV System, a MSO (multi-system operator of cable TV) in Taichung County in central Taiwan and a WiMAX licensee for the southern region of Taiwan, will kick off operation of IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) service in central Taiwan near the end of January, according to the company.

Vaster's offering of IPTV service is to provide triple play (voice and data communications plus video on demand) service in a bid to compete with Chunghwa Telecom's (CHT) MOD (multimedia on demand) service, according to industry sources. The triple play service can be integrated with Vastar's WiMAX operations in the future, the sources pointed out.

Vastar is establishing infrastructure based on its existing cable TV network to begin operation of fixed-line voice communication service in central Taiwan by the end of 2008, the company indicated. Vastar's existing cable TV subscribers and future subscribers of the voice communication service can apply for the IPTV service, the company noted.

The IPTV service will consist of VOD (video on demand), channels and Web 2.0-based content, Vastar indicated. While Vastar has proposed its IPTV pricing to Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) for approval, the company declined to release details but emphasized that its charge rates will be competitive enough with CHT's MOD service.