Opera Software has joined the Open IPTV Forum. This global organization is comprised of key IPTV and TV stakeholders working to produce end-to-end specifications to take the next generation of IPTV services into the mass market.

As a part of the Forum, Opera will team up with other members, such as Samsung, Ericsson, Sony and Philips, to help create an end-user mass market for IPTV by developing specifications. These specifications will ease the creation, integration and deployment of compelling solutions and services.

'It is extremely important to Opera to be a part of the Open IPTV Forum, as we share common strategic goals: lower the integration cost, speed up time to market for IPTV services and enable choice for consumers,' says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. 'Together, we will create a solution based on open standards.'

The Open IPTV Forum accepts applicants who are actively committed to the Forum’s goals for the IPTV market. Opera accepted the Terms & Conditions of the Open IPTV Forum Agreement and stated its commitment to the setting standards which will result in increased product choice in the IPTV market.

'The Open IPTV Forum is an important group in today’s marketplace. Currently no standards exist for this market, resulting in diverse implementations that not only hinder growth but may serve as a risk for stakeholders,' says Yun Chao Hu, Steering Group Chairman for the Open IPTV Forum. 'With Opera Software now on board, we now have the opportunity to harness Opera’s Web technology to help us meet our end goal of specifying a solution that will bring IPTV services to the masses.'