July 17, 2009, Washington, DC- The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) announced today that the mission of its IPTV Interoperability Forum (IIF) will be expanded to include the standardized delivery of Internet-sourced content over an IPTV (i.e., managed) network. Until this time, the IIF has concentrated on a Service Provider’s delivery of a TV service over a Network Provider’s private network infrastructure.

The IIF is a leading IPTV standardization body, with more than 25 participating companies representing diverse IPTV-related interests. The IIF is unique in that it is both transport-technology and access-device agnostic. Materially, this means the IIF develops video-enabling data structures and standardized session flows that can navigate diverse networks, and be used on a variety of platforms.

At ATIS’ Board of Directors meeting in late May, it was agreed that the IIF should identify and prioritize issues surrounding Internet-sourced content, including quality of experience and media format issues. Using these priorities, the IIF will develop the specifications needed to standardize delivery of Internet-sourced content to consumers over IPTV networks.

“Increasingly, content owners are turning to the Internet to bring archival and niche content to viewers,” said Dan O'Callaghan, the IIF’s Chairman and Principal Member of Technical Staff for Verizon Communications. “Because the Internet is a non-managed network, it presents a number of challenges for reliable, rewarding content delivery. The IIF will work on assuring the customer's quality of experience when accessing Internet-based content for IPTV delivery.”

Susan Miller, ATIS’ President and CEO, also released the following statement: “Expansion into the Internet-sourced content space is a natural step, given the IIF’s inclusive approach to standardization. We believe this expansion will offer end-users more choices, and further the IIF’s larger goal: IPTV standardization.”

About the IIF
The ATIS IPTV Interoperability Forum (IIF) is recognized globally as the leading developer of requirements, standards, and specifications for Internet Protocol Television, or IPTV. The ATIS IIF enables the interoperability, interconnection, and implementation of IPTV systems/services by developing ATIS standards and facilitating related technical activities. This Forum places an emphasis on ATIS member company needs in coordination with other regional and international standards development organizations.

About ATIS
ATIS is the leading technical planning and standards development organization committed to the rapid development of global, market-driven standards for the information, entertainment and communications industry. More than 250 companies actively formulate standards in ATIS’ 20 Committees, covering issues including: IPTV, Service Oriented Networks, Home Networking, Energy Efficiency, IP-Based and Wireless Technologies, Quality of Service, Billing and Operational Support. In addition, numerous Incubators, Focus and Exploratory Groups address emerging industry priorities including “Green”, IP Downloadable Security, Next Generation Carrier Interconnect, IPv6 and Convergence.

ATIS is the North American Organizational Partner for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a member and major U.S. contributor to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio and Telecommunications’ Sectors, and a member of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL). For more information, please visit www.atis.org.