August 2, 2006 - Brazilian telecom operators are preparing to enter the television market. Telemar, Telefonica and Brasil Telecom (BrT) are all planning to launch IPTV services. However service offers will be restricted due to current legislation.

Telefonica will offer its IPTV service in Sao Paulo within the next year. In September this year, BrT will launch its pilot IPTV project to 300 customers. Telemar plans to roll-out their services in the first quarter of 2007.

Telemar had already conducted a pilot study to IPTV deployment to around 20 employees, transmitting with MPEG4.

Although the dispute still remains, the telecoms operators have faith in the new service and are predicting IPTV to be the 'next big thing'. With the convergence of video, voice and internet over TV, software manufacturers are working hard in order to develop the necessary programs for IPTV.

Brasil sees the IPTV market growing at a staggering rate and the number of Broadband subscribers continues to grow, showing a 78% increase in subscribers between 2004 and 2005.

Source: Roberto Lima, IPTV Media and content