IPTV the next market for telecoms operators

Internet protocol television (IPTV) may help telecommunications operators transform from traditional telephone service providers to multimedia content suppliers, industry experts say.

IPTV is a system through which television content is delivered using the internet, instead of a terrestrial signal or cable. It is more interactive and allows users greater programming flexibility.

"IPTV has been developing fast since 2005," said Chu Yanli, an international IPTV director for telecommunications equipment and systems company ZTE.

The robust growth was due to the enthusiastic support for the technology from telecommunications carriers, which saw it as a way to expand their services without major additional infrastructure investments.

"TV content can be delivered by the existing internet networks and people with access to the internet will be able to watch the programmes at any time they choose, on any terminals," said Chu.

ZTE assists telecommunications operators in offering television content and data services using the technology.