Keith Jack's Blog

German telecoms operator Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE) aims to double its number of Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) subscribers to 1 million in 2009, a senior Telekom executive told Germany’s Focus magazine.

Indonesian telco Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) is setting aside investments of IDR 1.5 trillion (US$127.94M) to develop its fixed-line network in preparation for the launch of IPTV services this year. The allocated funds do not include the development of content for the new IPTV service, which will cost an estimated US$10-15M. The service will be initially launched in six big Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya.

Poland is likely to see the launch of a new IPTV service this autumn, operated jointly by the alternative telco Netia and new generation DTH platform. IPTV has yet to make its mark in Poland, with TPSA’s videostrada, the only significant operation.

Greek telco OTE has officially launched its IPTV platform. conn-x TV is initially being made available in the regional centres of Attica, Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa and Iraklion, Crete.

Ericsson is to launch a new Connected Home Gateway software designed to act as a single entry point for IPTV and multimedia telephony services into the home. The Gateway is compliant with telecom and consumer electronic standards, such as IMS, Open IPTV Forum and the Digital Living Network Alliance.