One of the top mobile TV trade bodies, the bmcoforum, has announced that it is to merge with the Open IPTV Forum (OIPF) as part of a drive for standardisation of mass market services and devices over both fixed and mobile networks.
The move is seen by many as a clear indication of just how much mobile is now a component part of the overall TV industry.
The OIPF and the bmcoforum say that their merger will result in a strong single entity with broad representation and influence across the fixed and mobile broadband industries, in particular, as they assert, that the two bodies have each established a leading position in their respective spheres of activity.
Commented Herbert Mittermayr, Chairman of the Board of bmcoforum, commented "The bmcoforum considers the extension of the IPTV to mobile usage and hybrid networks as an excellent vision to further develop the mass market for multi-screen media consumption. Joining the forces of both fora will unlock the potential of exciting new user experiences."
The OIPF brings together network operators, content providers, service providers, consumer electronics manufacturers and home and network infrastructure providers across the IPTV industry, working on the development of open specifications.
They hope that their merged activities will see multi-screen approaches including TVs, PCs, mobile devices and other screens as a logical next step for TV and media consumption, and as more mobile devices are integrated with IPTV they will bring an increasing level of interactivity and flexibility.
A key element will be mobile devices that both see as having evolved from use for watching TV to also service control points for control of personal content services.