To further promote standards-based solutions within the IPTV market, the Internet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA) has formed an IPTV workgroup. The goals of the workgroup are to monitor developing standards or specifications for deploying an IPTV system, to create an interoperability conformance program for IPTV and to promote solutions that pass conformance testing.

With the world-wide deployment of consumer broadband connectivity, the broadcasting community has faced the emergence of a new medium for video delivery to the home: the Internet Protocol. Whether referred to as IPTV, TV over IP, TV over DSL, or Broadband TV, it consists of the same set of techniques that allow the delivery of live video streams, as well as content on demand, to a subscriber through a broadband connection supporting Internet Protocol (IP).

"IPTV deployments relying on proprietary solutions for one carrier network may not be applicable to another network. This creates additional development and integration costs for all the players such as carriers, headend providers, network equipments providers, and set-top box providers. Recognizing a clear need for standardization in many areas, the ISMA has created an IPTV work group to recognize and promote interoperable solutions where multi-vendor competition can be assured," said Jean-Francois Fleury, Chairman of the ISMA IPTV workgroup.

The workgroup has monthly meetings. Workgroup activities include
• selecting the best standard where appropriate for the considered areas when standards are available,
• working closely with other entities to reach a common solution when they are working in a considered area,
• engaging in promotional activities, focused on interoperable open standards that are deployable in this area, and member products that support them,
• and developing a brand new specification when no solution exists and no other entity is currently working in that area.

ISMA members actively participating in the IPTV working group include representatives from AOL, Cisco, Envivio, IBM, Philips, Optibase, and Thomson. Companies and individuals interested in joining the ISMA and/or any of its workgroups can visit http://www.isma.tv/about_isma/join.html or call +1.415.561.6276.