IPTV gaining momentum
Research firm Point-Topic released their latest IPTV and broadband figures, showing an increase in the uptake of IPTV.
At the end of the first quarter of 2010 the number of IPTV subscribers worldwide increased to 36.3 million, up by almost 8% in the first three months of the year.
“IPTV subscriber numbers accelerated during 2009 and early 2010. Adding almost eleven and a half million subscribers in the twelve months to the end of March this year is a record,” says John Bosnell, Senior Analyst at Point Topic.
While growth was strong worldwide there is evidence of a power shift away from the early adopter markets.
“IPTV penetration in France is closing in on 50% of broadband subscribers. Although still growing strongly there are signs that it’s going to take longer to get the other half of the market if that’s even possible.
“China however added the most subscribers of any market. This continued expansion will mean China will displace the USA as the second largest IPTV nation and may already have done so,” says Bosnell.
With China Telecom now the largest single supplier of IPTV, displacing the French ISP Free during Q1 2010, Asia is now on its way to being the single largest region.
“Several Asian markets have very strong potential in the next few years. For example, everyone knows that South Korea has some of the best broadband infrastructure in the world. But regulatory deadlock held up the development of full IPTV services until 2008. Now that has been sorted out, there are great prospects,” said Bosnell.
“Japan is also increasing the coverage of its fibre networks. That’s enabling incumbent operators to follow the early lead of Softbank’s IPTV service.
“And the mainland Chinese market continues to grow steadily. Given China has over 110 million broadband subscribers, there is massive scope for growth in this market. PCCW in Hong Kong have shown what can be achieved with IPTV with the right bundles and content offer,” added Bosnell.
IPTV growth << discussion
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