The Russian telco Rostelecom has announced a tender for the supply of 1 million Android set-top boxes.
Quoting Vedomosti, Telesputnik and AKTR report that the maximum starting price for each device will be $47.74, with bids being accepted before October 9 and the results announced on December 8.
Rostelecom says it hopes that the price per box will be reduced during the bidding process.
It also believes that Android boxes will increase its ARPU due to the additional services they can deliver, such as OTT from other providers.
Rostelecom estimates that if its current subscriber growth continues, the boxes it acquires will last around two and a half years, not taking into account customers who wish to change from previous devices.
The telco gained 167,000 IPTV susbcribers in the second quarter and has earmarked R37.1 million (€543,000) for the promotion of its interactive TV service this year.
