Hybrid set top boxes are becoming more prevalent than a year ago in the marketplace, according to IMS Research. Their study The World Market for Set-top Boxes and iDTVs has revealed that continued growth is being driven by operators initiatives to increase ARPUs through additional services including push-VOD services, progressive download services and access to web content.
New players have entered the scene – Albis Technologies recently announced its new line of IPTV and hybrid STB portfolio of services of IP + DVB hybrid STBs. The line also features over-the-top (OTT) content delivery specifications for operators who wish to future-proof deployments for upcoming services.
In addition, established manufacturers are winning new bids. Netgem was recently awarded with deploying IP+DTT STBs for Australian telco Telstra. IMS Research expects the trend to experience strong uptake through 2013.
Rebecca Kurlak, co-author of the report, said in a startement, “the hybrid market is increasing in size as operators opt to increase value added services, either through IP for VOD and OTT services or for DTT transmissions where free-to-air (FTA) channels are exceedingly popular. Manufacturers are reporting an uptake in hybrid STB shipments as triple-play rivalries intensify.”
Kurlak continued, “generally speaking, operators have been increasingly focused on making new services and content available since 2008. Operators are still working on their respective strategies to strengthen their positions in the digital TV market, whether that is through OTT content, VOD services, multi-room capabilities or 3-screen intiatives.”
