The International Telecommunications Union has formed a focus group to lead standardization efforts for Internet television.Internet Protocol Television is a system by which digital television content is delivered via a broadband connection. It offers high-speed Internet, television and phone service, enabling viewers to participate in audio conferencing and video conversation.

The ITU’s focus group was established in response to industry calls for standardization in this new market. More than 100 information and communication technology experts agreed at ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector meeting in Geneva in April that international standards to prevent market fragmentation are needed in this area.

The focus group will build on existing standardization efforts by ITU’s other study groups, as well as the work of other standards-development organizations. It will emphasize defining the requirements and framework architecture of IPTV, coordinating existing standardization activities, harmonizing the development of new standards, encouraging interoperability with existing standards, and performing gap analysis of existing standards and ongoing works.

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