1/3 of IPTV Global Subscribers are in France

An article in the January issue of Telephony Online found the following:

• There were 2.7 million IPTV subscribers worldwide (as of end Q3 2006)

• 68% of which were in Western Europe

• 28% in Asia

• France is the biggest market worldwide for IPTV, with almost 900k subscribers, representing 1/3 of the worldwide total

• Hong Kong is the second largest, with the largest Hong Kong IPTV supplier, PCCW, having 638,000 subs in Q3 2006

France is arguably the most digitally forward thinking country in Europe leading the way in IPTV, blogging and even mobile TV (not first but near the top).

Why may you ask?
Well consider the different regulations between IPTV and traditional distribution means. The bundle approach (ie: Comcast Triple Play) of combining broadband, TV and phone services have been very success. Although the UK is the oldest IPTV market (established by Homechoice in 2000), in fighting among competitors (ie: Sky vs. Homechoice) never gained traction among consumers.

Orginal Link: Telephony Online

Home to the Future

This weekend I had a chance to check out Time Warners's Home of the Future.

It conssist of a 45,000-cubic-foot exhibition on home-related technologies. It also combines “massive size” with “tactile interactivity” to show how new technologies will soon shape homes.

It's nice to see Time Warner considering audible levels, which is a big concern for urban dwellers. In the future, the structure of our homes may be tied to how we enjoy our entertainment and its interesting to see how a cable company is preparing for that future push.

Original Post: NYTimes