China IPTV SoaringChina IPTV Soaring

SINGAPORE -- Technological innovations are rapidly redrawing the Chinese telco landscape. Operators are compelled to diversify in order to thrive in the competitive environment. The November 2006 announcement of Jiangsu Telecom’s network expansion effort to meet subscribers’ demand for IPTV, VOD, and other advanced IP services was just the latest in a similar series of moves to support multi-play service offerings.

According to ABI Research’s broadband research analyst Serene Fong, “More operators than ever are offering multiple services in an attempt to retain customers and to increase revenue. Telecom operators are venturing into the TV industry, while cable operators move into the voice business.”

IPTV is the Chinese government’s platform of choice because it is aligned to its long-term plan of unifying broadband, Internet, and television. Hence the future of the industry continues to be viewed optimistically. More resources will also be allocated to making IPTV a success because it is to play an important role in multimedia communications and upcoming major events in China. According to Fong, “The growth of IPTV will remain modest for now, and take off only after 2008. Adoption will be boosted by major events such as the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and then the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.”

ABI Research