IPTV Bringing Companies Together

Companies are beginning to scramble to secure their spot in the IPTV revolution. Many of these companies are looking to mergers and acquisitions in order to restructure their current infrastructures. The idea is that by reordering a company it will be in a position to provide telcos with one-stop shopping for everything needed to compete in IPTV.

The equipment needs for IPTV is expected to reach the $22 billion mark as early as 2011. OEMs are eager to secure a piece of the pie. To reach the point needed to provide a complete IPTV package, these companies are working to acquire all the products and technologies necessary and then bring them under one roof.

Two of the leading providers in IPTV technology, Ericsson and Nortel Networks, are going about the process in different manners. Ericsson is positioning itself to be a provider of a complete IPTV package by pursuing the acquisition of other companies.

Nortel Networks is taking a more cooperative approach in its race to the IPTV market. It is working out agreements with NDS, a pay-TV software specialist, to develop middleware.

Still other companies are merging into one entity in order to make a mark in the IPTV industry. The flurry of activity will likely continue until IPTV swings completely into the mainstream.