The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has given its first stage approval to a new standard that enables consumers to locate and subscribe to content drawn from a variety of independent service providers.
In a statement, the Geneva-based organisation said the standard would enable a greater deal of choice for end-users and help service providers offer a more competitive package.
Known as Recommendation ITU-T H.770, the standard describes the mechanisms for service provider discovery, service discovery and selection. It also specifies linear TV and VOD through metadata that describes programming and delivery protocols.
The question may be whether service providers are willing to implement the full force of the standard or will prefer to maintain more of a walled garden.