Did you know that by 2013, more than 45% of flat panel TVs will ship with an Internet connection?

ABI just released a study that tells us that as demand for connected devices expands, Internet-connected TVs form a category poised for growth and evolution. According to recent forecasts from ABI Research, the estimated 19% of flat panel TVs shipping with Ethernet in 2010 will grow to 46% in 2013, and connectivity is expected to become a mainstream feature.

Why the big bump expected? Because consumers want a “lean-in” experience with their television. These do-everything TVs will facilitate that “leaning in”. And while users want to interact with their programs (i.e., reality shows, sporting events, etc.), what they REALLY want is to connect and act on products that are advertised -- all with their remote.*

Then why hasn’t IPTV blown the doors off of the digital home by now? Dare I say it? The infrastructure can’t support it on a mass-market scale at this point.

As an example, everyone in my household craves IPTV and the interactivity of it. Yet, I have to wait…and wait…and wait to get it. All because the infrastructure is not up-to-snuff to deliver to consumers like me who are too far from FTTN or not living in a way-cool FTTH neighborhood.

This tells me, once again, how CRITICAL you are to the future of the telecom industry. It also tells me that you need to hone your skills to be even better at what you do because folks like me are in IPTV-limbo.

“But, you have no idea about the obstacles we face each and every day,” you say.

You’re right. That’s why it’s so important for an objective voice to remind you just how important you are to the industry and the future of our economy. And it’s even more important for that same voice to tell you that.

FREE education at OSP EXPO 2010 will make you even better at what you do!

Don’t waste time in learning everything you can about evolving the infrastructure. Let’s be honest. End users won’t wait. Some, in fact, may just defect to the MSOs. (And that’s the last thing we as an industry need.)

P.S. FREE Registration to attend OSP EXPO 2010 is now open at www.ospmag.com/expo.

*According to a recently released report by Strategy Analytics, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of viewers say they’d like to interact with TV commercials for a product they are interested in by using their remote control, 58 percent of them would request free samples, and 43 percent would locate a local retailer who carries the product.

To read more, see Strategy Analytics' Ben Piper sees hope for an $85 billion IPTV industry… maybe, posted May 3, 2010, Fierce IPTV, http://www.fierceiptv.com/story/strategy-analytics-ben-piper-sees-hope-8....

What’s your take on this subject? Leave a comment and get the conversation going.