Welcome to the premier issue of FierceIPTV!
I came back from last week's TelcoTV conference in San Diego convinced that things are heating up in this industry as the usual suspects of wireline telcos, OEMs and start-ups are more stridently challenging VoIP-equipped cable MSOs for triple-play offerings. IPTV is quickly becoming a viable answer to telco troubles with falling voice revenues and a compelling need for fresh ideas about connecting (literally) with their customers.
That's where FierceIPTV comes in.
At a bare minimum, every Thursday we'll talk about new developments in IPTV technologies and systems. But ultimately understanding IPTV goes far beyond technological advances. I plan to get inside the guts of the IPTV concept, digging deep to understand how this technology fits into the business strategies of bundling video, voice and data processing. And, of course, how telcos can ultimately achieve those results in a wireless environment.
In future issues of FierceIPTV we'll offer a behind the scenes look at small and large carrier strategies for IPTV triple and quadruple play services as well as insight into the standards debate, the regulatory environment and advances in interactive entertainment. (And anything else you tell me we should talk about!)
Feel free to forward this issue to friends and colleagues who are interested in keeping tabs on this segment of the industry. Encourage them to sign up for our free email.
And in the coming weeks and months, please type me a note with comments, questions and ideas you have about IPTV and its place in the industry. I welcome story suggestions, press releases and late-night rants.
Until next week... - Brian