Telkonet, Inc., the leader in providing in-building broadband access over existing electrical wiring, announced that they have begun deployment to beta customers and testing of its Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service in New York City. IPTV is a method of distributing television content over IP that enables a more user-defined, on-demand and interactive experience. The NuVisions IPTV service delivers traditional cable TV programming and enables subscribers to surf the Internet, receive on-demand content, and perform a host of Internet-based functions via their TV sets.

The NuVisions IPTV service will deliver a host of bundled services such as television, Internet, and telephone service over the NuVisions' gigabit network that connects the properties it serves in a redundant gigabit ring within New York City - a virtual fiber optic network in the air. NuVisions also plans to add more channels and features, such as video-on-demand, movies, games and interactive content, to the service when fully deployed. With NuVisions' IPTV service, subscribers can use the television via remote controls and wireless keyboards to watch TV programs, surf the Internet, communicate with building services, and shop with neighborhood vendors or national retailers.

"We are excited to be the first provider of IPTV services in the New York City market, bridging the gap between the television and computer as entertainment, information and communication devices. With this new IPTV offering, the new age of digital convergence is upon us," stated Frank Matarazzo, President of NuVisions.

NuVisions IPTV service can be deployed rapidly and at a lower cost than current cable televisions systems. It can offer consumers many advanced features, such as the ability to record several programs simultaneously without having to add more tuners. The NuVisions IPTV service is seamlessly integrated into a building as it relies on existing telephone wires for delivery to subscribers.

The use of IP technology enables direct communication between a subscriber's IPTV device, which replaces the much larger traditional set-top "cable box", and the NuVisions control center. As a result of this direct connection to the control center, functions currently performed by stand alone devices, such as digital video recorders (DVR's), are now incorporated as features of the new offering controlled through the IPTV device.

NuVisions commitment to delivering digital convergence is sustained by industry trends and research. According to Infonetics Research, worldwide IPTV service revenue will grow to over $44 billion by 2009 and the number of IPTV subscribers worldwide will grow to 53.7 million by 2009, with subscribers in North America alone, increasing by 12,985% between 2004 and 2009.

"Recognizing the huge market potential for IPTV, we intend to leverage the next generation of the Telkonet iWire System, currently being designed, to deliver a diverse range of multi-media services, as the final step in the digital convergence process. Once completed next year, we expect all of your communication and entertainment content to be available through the Telkonet iWire System in your apartment or condominium," Matarazzo concluded.