Industry expert says IPTV is failing to deliver

Speaking at NetEvents in Barcelona, a gathering of analysts, press and vendors, he said that the technology is being held back by a lack of understanding which is making it unattractive to consumers.

"The providers do not understand the architecture and the design required to support the quality of experience that customers are used to," he said.

"Telcos using IPTV to capture the market traditionally monopolised by cable TV should be taken with a grain of salt."

Colin Mann, managing editor of IPTV International, agrees. He said that uptake had not been impressive in most territories, and that IPTV will continue to be a niche product in many markets.

Mann told at a panel debate at NetEvents that, although he had earmarked IPTV as a "disruptive technology" two years ago, the "only thing it has disrupted is people's viewing pleasure".

Spirent Communications is a global provider of integrated performance analysis and service assurance systems that enable the development and deployment of next-generation networking technology such as Internet telephony, broadband services, 3G wireless, global navigation satellite systems, and network security equipment.

Its solutions are used by more than 1,700 customers in 30 countries, including the world’s largest equipment manufacturers, service providers, enterprises and governments.