IPTV standards coming soon

Companies which provide television over Internet technology (IPTV) joined forces to set a single global standard, so that all systems would work together.

Wiki describes IPTV as, “is a system where a digital television service is delivered using the Internet Protocol over a network infrastructure, which may include delivery by a broadband connection.”

The Open IPTV Forum is backed by companies including Ericsson, Matsushita’s Panasonic, Philips, Samsung Electronics, Siemens AG, Sony, AT&T, Telecom Italia and France Telecom.

Not on the starting list are Alcatel-Lucent and Microsoft, the market leaders and alliance partners in IPTV networks and software.

The nine founding companies said they want results fast and will hammer out technology requirements by September and a first set of technology specifications by year-end.

If all IPTV systems work together flawlessly it should be easier and cheaper for consumers to buy and use IPTV systems and services, such set-top boxes and TV and video programs.

For technology companies and operators it will be cheaper to build systems, because they can be made for a global market.

Source: iTnews

Related Links: IPTV @ Wiki, An introduction to IPTV