Conference Program

Abstract

This paper looks at the problems and prospects for developing IPTV services internationally. While telcos have universally embraced the IP solution for voice, data, and now TV, the challenges of cross-border IPTV services are numerous. It is not clear who the big winners are going to be and what it means to the individual digital media consumer. What institutional, legal, and market frameworks are going to shape IPTV services around the globe? What technological standards are going to emerge to help deliver, protect and monetize digital media properties while providing dynamic pricing solutions for different geographical markets? In particular, what is the role of public policy forums and institutions in forming a new global system of unprecedented personalized IP-based television services?

These problems are complex and difficult to comprehend but not without relevant precedent. Multilateral and bilateral agreements have been forged in international bodies and between sovereign nations to help facilitate international communications and e-commerce while protecting individual rights of property holders. Telcos have long used international bodies, primarily the ITU, to work out technical and revenue sharing solutions. International agreements that relate to copyright law for IPTV have been formed by organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Bi-lateral treaties also cover a broad scope of subjects that impeach on the deployment of IPTV.

Using policy precedents from the broadcasting, Internet and telco environments, this paper will look at the particular problems facing the globalization of IPTV services and the role of international public policy bodies in facilitating the technical standards, legal frameworks, and transactional systems for its success.