NEC to offer IPTV System

NEC will launch an IPTV system to the international market. It expects that this system will generate 50 billion yen ($US488 M) in sales by 2010. This IPTV system will include:

1. NEC products, from network architecture to delivery servers and household terminals, which will make it possible to guarantee the Quality of Service (QoS), Quality of Experience (QoE) and advanced security demanded along with interactive services.
2. Release of a video on demand server in April as the core system for new IPTV solutions.
3. PCCW/CASCADE's "QualiTVision*" middleware which has enabled IPTV deployments in Hong Kong and Thailand.

NEC is coming late to the game. Nearly all of the major carriers have committed to their IPTV architectures. Its opportunities are likely to come from Eastern Europe, the former Soviet states, Latin America, and the developing countries in Asia. Penetrating China is likely to be difficult for NEC, but it still may have some opportunities in India.