Microsoft Corp. and BT announced BT's intention to use the Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform to deliver TV over broadband in the United Kingdom. The announcement further strengthens Microsoft's continued commitment to working with the world's leading network operators to bring next-generation television services to consumers.

The Dutch network operator KPN has chosen Siemens as its partner for the development and installation of television over the Internet Protocol (IP). This further strengthens cooperation between the two companies after KPN opted for Siemens as the strategic IP partner for its entire fixed network and mobile phone business at the end of last year. KPN plans to introduce digital television over its DSL network for the first time during the course of this year, using the provisional designation "IP TV".

Paradyne, a leading provider of triple play broadband loop carriers (BLCs) and Ethernet access equipment, announced an expanded relationship with Og Vodafone, Iceland's Second Largest Broadband Services Provider, marking the first BLC deployment in Iceland.

Digital Identity, Italy's largest streaming media developer and services provider and California based EdgeStream, Inc announced that they have entered into a partnership to provide the ‘Next Generation Video on Demand and IPTV Streaming Technology platform" in Italy. With this agreement, Digital Identity will enable its network with the EdgeStream software and also License the EdgeStream technology to customers who will then be able to provide uninterrupted DVD quality video on demand streaming content to every broadband user in Italy and globally using the public Internet. With the availability of the EdgeStream platform, content providers and owners across Italy are now assured of delivering a quality experience to their consumers at the lowest cost per stream while building profitable businesses.

Paradyne, a leading provider of triple play broadband loop carriers (BLCs) and Ethernet access equipment, announced that Alands Datakommunikation (Alcom), the primary DSL provider for the Aland Islands has recently launched Finland's first commercial IPTV over DSL service.

Telefonica de Espana S.A.U ("Telefonica") of Spain and Lucent Technologies announced that Telefonica has added its 40,000th IPTV subscriber to Telefonica's "Imagenio" multimedia broadband service in Spain. "Imagenio" is designed to deliver digital-quality broadcast multimedia services into the home over a broadband connection, also serving as the platform for Telefonica's future multimedia service offerings.

TANDBERG Television announced that it has commenced the installation of an end-to-end IPTV delivery system for the commercial roll-out of the Swisscom/Bluewin triple play service. Swisscom has chosen the TANDBERG Television professional hardware encoding solution for Windows Media Video 9 (Microsoft's implementation of VC-1, the proposed SMPTE standard) following a competitive tender process. As part of the new contract TANDBERG Television will provide a number of its EN5920 encoders, TT1260 MPEG-2 professional receivers and an nCompass control and monitoring system and also support Swisscom’s engineering team with the integration of the video head-end with the Microsoft TV IPTV platform, set-top-boxes and other third party equipment.

Alcatel announced that it has been selected by Auna as its IP Triple Play turnkey project integrator, and as the supplier for most essential network components and service delivery platforms. Auna is the second largest operator in Spain, with its own fixed telecommunications network.

Swisscom's delay of IPTV is being frowned upon by IPTV advocates and analysts around the world. According to Light Reading, "In the U.S., analysts are watching the development closely -- perhaps too closely -- as some think it might even point to additional setbacks at other networks where Microsoft and Alcatel are working together."

Swisscom had originally promised to offer IPTV service in the second half of 2005. That has now been postponed until further testing can take place and a proposed 2006 launch date.

Swisscom Fixnet intends to round off its triple play offering with television over broadband (ADSL). Due to its high long-term potential, IPTV is of major strategic importance for Swisscom. Technical implementation together with the various partners poses a key challenge, however. Following installation for Swisscom and Microsoft employees by the end of the current year, Swisscom Fixnet plans to launch Bluewin TV in 2006.

Net Insight announced that Broadcast Service Denmark (BSD) has selected it for the Danish Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) network. The network will be built with Net Insight's Nimbra platform and will reach all households in Denmark. The equipment will be delivered during the second quarter of 2005.

Alcatel announced that it has been awarded a contract by Iceland Telecom to upgrade the operator's broadband access network to cope with increased demand for Triple Play services, including IPTV, and ensure business continuity as the network scales up.

IPTV is proving to be very successful in Iceland. Launched only four months ago, Iceland Telecom's IPTV services offering has been a success, with thousands of TV subscribers on the waiting list to be served. The new access network is expected to be fully operational this summer.

Optibase Ltd. announced that leading broadband solution provider, Industria, has chosen to further extend its IP video head-end with Optibase's IPTV streaming platforms for its Irish triple-play customer, Magnet Networks.

The video headend will enable delivery of triple-play services (digital telephony, high-speed internet and IPTV) broadcast through a true broadband network to gated communities in the Dublin area, Ireland.

Alcatel announced that it has been awarded a contract by Swisscom, Switzerland's leading telecommunications group, for the delivery of an IP broadband access network based on Alcatel's Intelligent Services Access Manager (ISAM) product family. This roll-out will enable Swisscom to deliver enhanced Triple Play services to its customers in Switzerland, as they have announced plans to deliver IPTV services by the second half of 2005.

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