IPTV STB market to see strong short-term growth
February 5, 2008
Sales of set-top boxes (STBs) for IPTV video services will show strong growth through 2010 in North America and Europe, fuelled by increased deployment of consumer video services by telephone companies, with STB revenues for the two regions peaking at about $765 million in 2010, according to a report from Light Reading.
“The North American and European markets for IPTV STBs showed strong growth during 2007, with an estimated 4.5 million boxes shipped,” notes Simon Sherrington, research analyst for Light Reading Insider and author of the report. “Sales of IPTV STBs are forecast to continue to grow in volume and value across the two regions through 2010, as more service providers launch their IPTV services.”
Demand for high-definition (HD) video services and features such as digital video recording will have a significant impact on network operator deployments of IPTV STBs, Sherrington says. “Telcos will have to aggressively deploy HD-capable STBs to match competitive offerings from cable and satellite video providers.”