IPTV Getting a Boost From AT&T

Deployment of IPTV service through AT&T has been more successful than anyone expected – especially AT&T. As a result of the positive response it has received, the company intends to increase its deployment times during 2007.

AT&T started into the IPTV market relatively slow. Its services were first available only in eleven markets – and even within those it was only available to a limited number of subscribers. It is now gearing up to increase its share of the market.

Unlike other providers, like Verizon (who has chosen to run fiber all the way to the end user), AT&T has only run fiber to the neighborhoods. It then uses its existing copper cables to deliver the data to the individual homes. This hinders the service, somewhat. Still, the customer response has been positive up to this point.

The choice of using the less expensive delivery system has its ups and its downs. Use of fiber all the way into the homes does allow for an increased available bandwidth. It also increases the financial obligations that AT&T would face getting into IPTV.

One of the ways that it is combating the bandwidth situation is by the use of VDSL (very high bit rate DSL). The use of this format allows for a much higher capability than would otherwise be available.

The addition of BellSouth to the AT&T family will increase the speed that its IPTV service will be introduced.