IPTV operators weigh investment options
October 20, 2008
As they enter the growth stage of their industry, IPTV operators are moving past their underlying network capabilities and are focusing on real and value-added benefits for their customers according to ABI research. The future success of Telco-IPTV operators will be determined by a wide range of internal and external factors while they manage the expansion stage of their offerings and find their investment needs shifting as they target both existing and prospective customers.
"In the current economic climate, allocation of capital and resources is becoming a difficult proposition for all IPTV operators as they consider more fibre and back-office investments," says ABI Research principal analyst Robert Clark. Because of local pay-TV cultures, regulation and infrastructure differences, and the trend towards Multi-Play, web-based and interactive services integration, success for IPTV operators will be determined by their upcoming investment decisions.
"Broadband, mobile, online gaming and storage, and home networking, in addition to the professional and technical services support that can be required to deliver Multi-Play offers seamlessly, are becoming intricately tied to IPTV operators‚ success," adds Clark.
IPTV combined with Multi-Play is reaching a stage where content and service options still matter most, but as network offerings and device options proliferate consumers are also weighing the cost, value and ease of implementation in the home. Operators are only now beginning to offer IT support services to resolve in-home and self-service installation issues raised by subscribers.