French communications solution provider Alcatel and the Singapore Economic Development Board launched here Tuesday a competency center dedicated to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and triple play in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to a press release by Alcatel, one of the center's first initiatives is to train IPTV technology specialists to "help implement and drive IPTV adoption across the region".

IPTV services, part of the triple play service covering voice, video and data, can offer users personalized and interactive experience such as video on demand, selected TV programs, community channels, online gaming, as well as making phone calls and sending short messages and emails.

Alcatel said that an increasing number of telecom operators across the region have shown their interest in IPTV services as the broadband penetration rates are rising.

IPTV is expected to be implemented in Singapore within the next 12 months, according to Channel NewsAsia report.

Source: Xinhua