What is interactive TV from Rostelecom and how to connect it

Today, the service for providing television services has made significant strides forward. Now television is not just brought into the apartment via cable, but a new digital service is offered - Rostelecom interactive TV.

What does it mean? What services are offered in the packages? And what do you need to do to connect the new service to your TV? In this article you will find answers to all these questions.

What is interactive TV Rostelecom

Many residents of our country have heard this name, but not everyone knows what interactive TV Rostelecom is. Here are the three main descriptions:

1. Firstly, Rostelecom is a digital television provider in which the picture quality will always be clear, realistic, without any interference or blur.
2. Secondly, TV from Rostelecom is offered in several packages, which allows different users to choose the broadcast of channels according to their preferences.
3. And thirdly, the services offered by the provider can be provided not only on a paid basis, but there are also a number of free services.

By connecting to the Rostelecom TV package, you get a number of advantages:

• the ability to control viewing - if you don’t like to miss broadcasts, then any program can be paused or simply recorded for later viewing;
• parental control function - you can safely connect any package, and if there are children growing up in the house, then it is possible to hide some channels or set a password to activate them;
• The multiroom option will be useful if there are several TVs in the house; you can order a special connection option with several set-top boxes.

In order to get interactive TV, you need online Internet access and a special set-top box. A set-top box is a kind of mini-computer that expands the functions of your TV receiver, making it a multimedia and multifunctional device with access to the global network. You can control interactive TV via the remote control.

Channel packages

Television from Rostelecom is offered in a wide range of tariffs for users with different financial incomes and different preferences. More than 200 channels, with 22 broadcasts provided free of charge in each tariff plan.

Rostelecom interactive television offers a huge number of functions. In addition to standard packages, you can order additional ones, which include karaoke functions, premium TV packages, adult channels, without advertising and censorship, etc.

The main packages from Rostelecom are shown in the table: You choose how much your interactive television will cost. The list of channels included in each package may change, so it is better to look at the latest information on the official website of TV Rostelecom - https://itv.rt.ru/

In addition to choosing a package, you will need to select the set-top box itself. You can buy it outright, or you can rent it with the right to buy it later. The recommended speed for SD reception is from 3 Mbit/s, for HD – from 6 Mbit/s.

The prices for using the operator’s equipment are as follows: For “ITV 2.0” the price of the set-top box is 3,990 rubles. The cost of a premium class set-top box will cost you 9,360 rubles, but only this device has a built-in disk that provides 500 GB of space for your own recordings and support for high-quality DolbyDigital sound.

Advantages and disadvantages of interactive TV

Interactive television is an innovative telecommunication that successfully combines broadband Internet and digital TV. Unlike its predecessors - analog, satellite or cable TV, IPTV is able to offer not only high-quality viewing of television content, but also convenient control over it:

1. You can record and review any program, especially for sports matches, which you always want to watch live, but this is not always possible. Now you can take your time.
2. You received a call or were distracted by other family members - pause the movie and you can continue watching it from the same moment you stopped.
3. If you listened or did not understand what the host of a talk show or the hero of any series said, rewind a few seconds and repeat the playback.
4. IPTV users have convenient and constant access to archives of films, TV shows or programs watched for 72 hours.
5. Since your TV now has a home Internet connection, you can watch not only television programs, but also any broadcasts from YouTube, Netflix or other streaming video, connect to a social network, etc.

Among the shortcomings, two points can be noted:

• firstly, there is the cost of packages and equipment, but you can save money by tracking promotions;
• and secondly, ITV 2.0 offers fewer channels per package.

The possibilities of Rostelecom interactive television are very interesting; they will greatly change the quality of your life for the better. And if you are still hesitating whether to connect IPTV, think about the fact that only by keeping up with the times can you feel successful, active and modern. These are not just additional amenities, these are ongoing changes.

Tariffs for the service

Tariffs for cable television from Rostelecom are available in several options, namely:

• Starting;
• Optimal;
• Advanced;
• Premiere.

Service packages differ primarily in price and the list of channels that will be available for viewing.

Connection to the “Starter” package is paid in the amount of 350 rubles, and payment for monthly use is also paid in the same amount. The starter package provides access to 134 TV channels. This is a fairly large list, and therefore each family member will undoubtedly find something interesting and exciting for themselves. The Starter package includes the ability to watch TV channels on five screens.

Attention! The cost of the tariff may be increased if you select additional screens for viewing.

The “Optimal” tariff differs from the “Start” tariff in the set of main TV channels, which are supplemented by all kinds of children’s, music and sports channels. In total, users of this tariff have 166 channels available for viewing. At the same time, the cost of payment for the “Optimal” package is only 450 rubles per month for cable television. It also opens up the ability to view channels on five additional screens.

In the “Advanced” tariff, educational TV channels are added to all of the above. The most popular in this tariff are TV channels broadcasting news from the field of cinema, festivals and much more. The cost of cable television with the “Advanced” tariff is 650 rubles, and the number of TV channels available for viewing is 190.

The most expensive tariff is “Maximum”, which costs 1,790 rubles per month. This package is preferred by fans of high-quality and rare films. Along with the standard list of TV channels, 20 more federal channels become available to viewers. To receive the highest possible quality of broadcast programs and films, you can additionally subscribe to Amedia Premium or Viasat.

Connection

A set-top box for connecting television from Rostelecom is connected to your TV via an HDMI or S-video cable. The first option provides a high-definition image and multi-channel stereo sound, and the connection through the “tulip” will transmit the broadcast in standard quality.

Please note that your TV must also be able to receive the desired level of television, otherwise there is no point in high-quality signal transmission.

IPTV can function with any home Internet, regardless of the provider. There are three ways to install interactive television:

• in the branch of the operator Rostelecom;
• by phone;
• or on your Internet provider's web page.

The easiest way is to fill out an application via the Internet, but if you have questions or need advice regarding choosing a tariff plan or set-top box model, it is better to visit a Rostelecom reception point.

To place an order, you will need:

• indicate and confirm personal data and connection address (therefore you need a passport);
• decide on the tariff;
• if necessary, select additional services;
• select the model and number of TV set-top boxes;
• sign the contract.

That's all. After this, all that remains is to wait for the service to be activated at your address and enjoy high-quality television!

Rostelecom Internet tariff plans

Home Internet tariffs from Rostelecom are characterized by the optimal combination of service cost and connection speed. In addition, as a client of the company, you can take part in a number of promotions that allow you to get the necessary type of communication at a discount.

All subscribers have the right to supplement their basic Rostelecom Internet tariff with other services not included in the basic package. This allows you to interact with the operator on individual terms.

By cable

For individuals who use the company’s services and have a cable connection, Rostelecom has developed several tariffs for home Internet:

Up to 30 Mbit/s

By connecting to such a tariff, the user can access the Internet at a speed of 30 Mbit/sec. This is enough to open any website, watch a video online, or download a significant file. The monthly contribution for this package will be 400 rubles.

Up to 60 Mbit/s

For those who prefer the second option, the data transfer speed will increase to 60 Mbit/sec, and the subscription fee will be 500 rubles per month of using the service. This is optimal for those who frequently download movies or games. In addition, this speed is enough to distribute the Internet to a phone, tablet and several other devices at once, ensuring quick opening of sites on each of them (however, this will require installing a Wi-Fi router in the house).

Up to 100 Mbit/s

The tariff allows you to instantly open Internet pages and quickly download torrent files thanks to speeds reaching up to 100 Mbit/sec. In addition to this, subscribers receive 100 GB of memory on Yandex.Disk, where they can store documents, music and movies. All this costs the client 600 rubles monthly.

Game

According to the name, this tariff plan is designed for subscribers who devote a significant amount of time to online games. It allows you to get:

• premium account;
• special gifts in the game;
• access to any game servers and individual Rostelecom resources;
• Wi-Fi router (free);
• 100 GB on Yandex.Disk.

In addition, connecting the Rostelecom Internet to the “Game” tariff means providing yourself with a connection speed of up to 100 Mbit/sec at a cost of 800 rubles/month. In addition to this, you can get a static IP address (additional payment - 150 rubles / month) and licensed anti-virus programs for your computer (from 66 rubles / month).

New tariffs

Not long ago, Rostelecom tariff plans for home Internet were replenished with two new items.

Attention! In the first months from the start of using the service, the fee for an Internet connection or television from Rostelecom may be less than the generally established one, since the operator often organizes promotions aimed at attracting new customers and makes discounts. However, later the amount of payments will have to increase to the amount specified in the contract.

Laying a cable to connect to the Internet does not require a separate payment (although you will have to set up the equipment yourself), the user only needs to make the first monthly payment and he can start using the service.

When connecting via home phone

In cases where a connection via a telephone line is used for home Internet, Rostelecom plans to use completely different tariff plans:

• 5 Mbit/sec. for 350 rub./month;
• 8 Mbit/sec. for 450 rub./month;
• 15 Mbit/sec. for 550 rub./month.

Obviously, the connection via a telephone line is much slower than via a fiber optic cable, but this is quite enough for browsing the Internet and downloading files that are not too large in size.

Rostelecom set-top box

Set-top boxes for interactive television from Rostelecom can be of three types:

• standard device with HD format support;
• devices that support Dolby Digital audio format and a built-in hard drive;
• Wi-Fi set-top boxes.

The first type of set-top boxes is the “Standard” category; such devices are capable of transmitting images in SD or HD quality with stereo sound. They do not have a built-in disk, but this does not prevent you from using the recording, replay and online broadcast functions from the interactive menu. All services are installed on the provider's side.

The second type of consoles belongs to the “Premium” class. The HD receiver is equipped with a 500 GB hard drive, which opens up the possibility of recording up to 200 hours of broadcast on its side. They have 2 tuners, which allows you to control two channels at once: for example, one can be set for recording, and the second can be watched live.

Wireless set-top box models are optional, but very convenient. Such TVs gain mobility and aesthetic advantages. Wi-Fi set-top boxes are more expensive, but provide greater comfort of use.

The Rostelecom operator charges only for equipment; connection and delivery services are provided free of charge

Rostelecom tariffs with mobile communications

• on all L: 10 GB, 400 minutes to all Russian numbers, 350 rubles/month;
• on all XL: 15 GB, 600 minutes on all Russian numbers, 500 rub./month;
• Super SIM S: 7 GB, unlimited calls to Rostelecom, 10 rubles/day;
• Super SIM card M: 1GB, 300 minutes to all numbers in Russia, 290 rubles/month;
• Super SIM L: 10 GB, 400 minutes to all numbers in Russia, 350 rubles/month;
• Super SIM XL: 15 GB, 600 minutes to all numbers in Russia, 500 rub./month;
• Super SIM card FREE: 1.80 rub/min. in the region, 0 rub./month.