Although growth of IPTV subscriptions in Europe are expected to grow to more than 25 million by 2011 -- research from Parks Associates finds that operators are ARPU-challenged and facing strong competition. IPTV in Europe: Digital TV in a Hyper-competitive Market finds that telephone operators are facing growing competition from cable, satellite and digital terrestrial services and their own telco brethren that are taking advantage of local loop unbundling regulations.

"Europe is certainly a laboratory in real market time of how competition among service providers is constantly forcing operators to constantly evaluate their entire broadband and bundled services strategies," said Kurt Scherf, Parks Associates' vice president and principal analyst. "Given the need to differentiate their services and add real value back to their companies, the European IPTV landscape is characterized by a careful balance between competitive pricing and value-added features."

Scherf said that Europe provides an example of what North America may experience given the entry of major telcos into the multichannel video space. He points to applications like managed home networks, an emphasis on converged communications applications, and a rise in interactive television as three key areas to watch in Europe and the rest of the world.

CONNECTIONS Europe is an executive conference and showcase to be held December 4-6, 2007 in Berlin, Germany. Industry leaders will discuss global digital lifestyles development, including areas like digital television, home networking, broadband and bundled services, consumer electronics, digital media, and home management and controls.