Telecoms operators face stiff competition in content quest

The age-old complaint that 'there is nothing on the box' should finally become a thing of the past if even half the services discussed at last week's World Broadband Forum Asia event in Hong Kong materialise.

As the content and movie industries get to grips with new broadband-based delivery opportunities, viewers should be tuning in to more programmes, more often and on more devices in the not-too-distant future.

But under this deluge of content choice, telecoms operators face stiff competition to get viewers tuned into their fledgling TV services.

The content owners' embrace of broadband represents a volte-face from as little as a year ago when they regarded the telecoms interlopers with deep suspicion, fearing their valuable programming would be sucked down fat broadband pipes and lost.

Now they have a better handle on security issues, so talk is of a 'transformational opportunity' as content executives see the dollar signs more clearly. IPTV will soon arrive in premium high-definition format, mobile TV is going live across multiple platforms while digital content delivered over broadband offers more revenues and targeted advertising dollars.

All of which is good for the content owners, but telecoms operators will need to be smart to ensure they are not left out of the loop. While broadband allows telecoms operators to provide television, the flip side is the same technology also breaks down barriers and allows internet-based companies to do the same.