A recent survey of people who had requested the IPTV-related specifications developed by the industry trade association ISMA (Internet Streaming Media Alliance) revealed that nearly two thirds have implemented the open-standard work in a product or plan to do so. Since only 10 percent of the responses came from ISMA members, the results indicate the broad-ranging acceptance of the Alliance’s technical approach and reflect the critical need for open standard specifications to support the IPTV industry.

The hybrid set-top box market, although still small today, is forecast by IMS Research to account for over 25% of worldwide STB unit shipments in 2012, translating into nearly $2.9 billion in manufacturer revenues. Based on leading satellite TV operators’ strategies to strongly position themselves against competitors, satellite hybrid STBs are forecast to account for 76% share of all hybrid STB units shipped worldwide in 2012.

Wireless communication in the home, whether for computer data, audio, or telephony, is becoming an established fact in much of the industrialized world. The next logical step is to stream video. But the exponentially greater amount of data involved – particularly for high-definition TV – introduces a higher order of difficulty, and questions remain about whether wireless video will ever become more than a niche market.

Research and Markets has announced the addition of “2007 North America - Telecoms, Broadband and Mobile Statistics (tables only)” to their offering. In 2006, the Canadian mobile and broadband sectors continued to enjoy double-digit revenue growth rates. In contrast, local service and access revenues have remained stagnant whilst long distance revenues continue a downward trend. This has led to further regulatory amendments in 2007 towards a lighter-handed more market-based framework.

IPTV operators of managed networks everywhere are wondering how best to deal with (best-effort) Internet Video services that may eventually become either partners or competitors. The new "Internet Video Report for IPTV Service Providers" from MRG investigates how IPTV can leverage both professionally-developed and user-generated video content to reduce churn and generate revenue.

The latest research from Screen Digest released examines the rapidly expanding European market for IPTV. Well over 60 IPTV services operated across Europe at the end of the second quarter of 2007, with more to launch in the second half of the year. Whilst some major Western European states are used to competing with so many players, others are unfamiliar with such a jam-packed market.

IPTV service launches swamp the pay-TV markets
The number of services in certain countries, like France, has given consumers an overwhelming array of suppliers to choose from. The country boasts eight IPTV operators and is a nation now saturated with TV services.

Poor cable service quality, coupled with a lack of customer support, combine to create real customer dissatisfaction. These are the kinds of annoyances that inevitably steer subscribers toward other service providers. And at present, this is translating into a major growth opportunity for telecom video services, according to a recent study from ABI Research on the IP set-top box market.

Verizon and AT&T are beginning to expand their homes passed as well, building out their network upgrades while continuing to work with satellite partners. Interactive services could be a significant differentiator that will help them acquire subscribers in the battle against cable operators. “The interactive nature of the offerings that derive from telcos is proving to be a strategic advantage as we move toward IPTV offerings,” Schatt added. “Interactive advertising may not be a force right now, but down the road it will be a way for operators to target specific homes with specific ads, and to let people respond to the ads. Once again, this requires two-way communication.”

The installed base of Digital Media Adapters – those freestanding or embedded devices that allow users to route audiovisual content to their TVs and stereo systems – is expected to number about 184 million in 2012. But according to a new study from ABI Research, only a little more than 11% of those will be dedicated standalone devices, and fully 85% will be embedded in game consoles.

A new study by ABI Research shows that while a large proportion of digital content is consumed by a small but influential group of digital media super-users, the mainstream user is increasingly looking for new ways to access and manage content. As consumers become increasingly comfortable with new digital media experiences, those hardware manufacturers that can best balance traditional use-cases with new ones will be the most able to capitalize on this growing class of digital media enthusiasts.

A growing number of mobile carriers worldwide are increasing their video messaging and telephony offerings. According to a new study from ABI Research, the market value for mobile video telephony services including video mail, video calling, and video sharing services, will grow from $1 billion in 2007 to over $17 billion by 2012.

However the conditions that will drive or inhibit growth of these services by region are complex. According to principal analyst Dan Shey, “The Web 2.0 phenomena and sites that allow posting of mobile video will increase demand for mobile video services. However, global demand inhibitors include income levels, messaging and video viewing alternatives, and handset capabilities. And then there is the uncertainty factor for operators of video services on network utilization which will affect their promotion and pricing strategies.”

Research and Markets has announced the addition of "2007 Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband in Asia Report – Japan" to their offering. Japan’s telecommunications sector is one of the most active markets in the world. Into 2007, there was continuing strong growth, with Third Generation (3G) mobile services and FttH broadband leading the way. And at the same time, the adoption of VoIP and triple play services has been signalling a significant shift in the market.

Research and Markets has announced the addition of new eMarketer report, "Women Online: Taking a New Look," analyzes the impact that new Internet video content and advertising are having, or not having, on female Internet users, who make up over half the US Internet population. Amid all the excitement online video is causing, marketers must keep one fact in mind: Of the estimated 97 million females online in the US, only 66% of them actually watch videos online, compared with 78% of males who do. Why the difference between the sexes, and will their online viewing habits balance out in the near future?

Akamai released a study today exploring two fundamental elements related to the future success of online video: consumer preferences around video consumption and consumer reaction to low-quality viewing experiences. The most compelling results reveal that, having experienced poor video performance at an Internet site, more than half of online video users would seek content from a competing Website, and a quarter would leave with a more negative brand perception and be less likely to return to the poorly performing site.

The market for STBs will grow at a steady pace through the end of the decade before easing slightly, as service upgrades to existing pay-TV customers are completed and the market shifts from new-technology growth to growth driven by the addition of new pay-TV subscribers. According to a new study from ABI Research, three main drivers will propel this market in the coming years: advanced features, the new interactivity offered by "hybrid STBs", and the possible development of a retail set-top box market.

Worldwide broadband subscriptions will exceed 536 million by 2011, with DSL representing over half of the market. Fiber and WiMax will be among the fastest growing access technologies in the next 5 years, according to a report just released by Strategy Analytics, "Worldwide Broadband Subscription Forecasts, 2007-2011."

"Ambitious fiber rollouts in the US by Verizon and AT&T, and in Europe by French operator Free, will bring overall FTT(x) subscriptions to 64 million by 2011," says Ben Piper, Director of the Strategy Analytics Broadband Network Strategies Service.