SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The worldwide IP set-top box market almost doubled to over 8 million in 2007 as new subscribers to telco TV services required the hardware, according to research firm In-Stat.
The firm’s report Worldwide Market for IP Set-Top Boxes noted that one of the fastest growing regions is North America, where subscribers often use multiple boxes. AT&T is ramping up its installations.
“"IP set top box hardware features are now stable, with the exception of the integration of home-networking technologies,” said In-Stat analyst Michelle Abraham. “New features will come in software, rather than hardware, in the future.”
The In-Stat research also found that declining box prices will cause annual IP set-top box revenues to remain at about $2 billion once they reach that future level.
As well, home-networking technologies are being integrated into IP set-top boxes on a deal-by-deal basis.
