IPTV

In the uk we are seeing an increasing number of digital tv services delivered over a broadbrand internet connection. These services include: BBC i player, BT vision, Virgin on demand service, Sky anytime +, Seesaw and Youview.

IPTV stands for Internet Protocol TV. Broadband is required to access IPTV, but with convergence many people can now view these services on phones and such. IPTV can be accessed through a variety of tubes including corporate or building centred LANs.

IPTV carries several advantages over old-school typical television.   It is carried over telephone lines, telephone companies are in a prime position to offer IPTV services initially, but it is expected that other carriers will offer the service in the future. IPTV companies have promised faster and more efficient streaming speeds than current VoD (Video on Demand) services such as BBC iPlayer, and therefore theoretically reduced prices to operators and subscribers alike.

The development of IPTV will obviously be seen by many as a good development for consumers, however, it seems that ISPs and telephone companies will benefit more from increased revenue than will actual end-consumers.