Objective

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) - the digital transmission of broadband applications, such as television programmes and films, IP-based data networks like the Internet, but also closed cable and telco networks, and mobile networks.  In particular, the Internet is used as a transmission system, also referred to as Web TV or Internet TV.

Despite the different pathways emerging, based on several, now well-established Internet technologies such as streaming, download, HTML-based browser and Flash, future applications are being developed with this technology and operated, whether being used as a terminal, a PC, a set-top box or a mobile terminal. So it is important that the Association of German Internet Industry devotes a forum for the exchange and cooperation of this offering.

There are many differences in the various applications of IPTV, and there are differences in the market participants involved as well: web agencies, advertisers, marketers, content owners and content providers, hosting, streaming services, bran-owner and service provider, website and portal operators and terminal manufacturers are facing, in this booming market, a changing landscape for the Internet protocol. The wish of the eco was to take all of this into account with the founding of this new working group.

A first goal of the working group is to develop a procedure and labellin for streaming services. The certificate is first-and-foremost a quick and objective comparison of IPTV service for allowing streaming.

The following additional issues and challenges may be of common interest:

• Recent technology developments
• Development of the market
• Fine-tuning of business models
• Fine-tuning of the technologies used
• Clearing out of safety concerns
• General legal and regulatory issues

The objective of the eco for the Working Group IPTV is to create a platform for market participants, for dicsussion on the above issues so that solutions can be found. Particular services this group is relevnt to are infrastructure and IPTV providers, but also other interested parties are welcome!