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Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), or internet TV as it’s commonly known, has taken the UK by storm, changing the way we see TV forever. With providers, broadcasters and websites all getting in on the action, isn’t it time you tried broadband television?

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What is IPTV?

Pioneered by HomeChoice - which became Tiscali and is now owned by TalkTalk Broadband (www.TalkTalk.co.uk) - as a revolutionary way of receiving content, web streaming to your TV allows you to watch digital television programmes and films in real time, or as “catch-ups”. But take-up was initially slow and with less than expected subscribers the service was initially limited to London.

BT Broadband (www.BT.com) also uses your broadband connection to offer its digital TV service, BT Vision.

Broadband TV also takes the form of programmes actually watched on your home computer. Popular services such as the BBC iPlayer and Channel 4’s 4oD offer a free catch-up service from the last seven days or longer to download to your computer, or stream and watch there and then.

Why is it internet TV so popular?

Broadband speed is the key when it comes to accessing many broadband TV services. While most people in the UK have an up to 8Mb internet package, this is not what they’re actually achieving. The average speed according to Ofcom in July 2009 was 4.1Mb - and you need at least around 2Mb to get a decent service from the BBC iPlayer or be able to access BT Vision.

Use our free broadband speed test to see how your provider performs.

Also, with the Government’s switchover to digital television, which began in 2008 and is due to be completed in 2012, coupled with BT’s upgrade to the faster 21st Century Network (21CN) - which offers 24Mb broadband and the latest fibre optic networks from BT and Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com).

BT offers 40Mb broadband and Virgin Media offers the UK’s fastest package, 50Mb broadband.

Is broadband really the future for TV?

Broadband TV - and the easy on-demand that it offers - has changed the way that we watch TV forever. As well as the services that are offered by digital TV providers like TalkTalk TV and BT Vision, Sky Broadband (www.Sky.com) also plans to make all of its set-top boxes internet enabled.

You can even connect your computer to the latest generation of flat-screen TVs to watch everything you download and stream on the big screen instead.

Use our broadband comparison calculator to find out if your provider offers IPTV in your area. If not you can still use programmes like the BBC iPlayer that download missed shows to your PC rather than your TV.

Visit Digitalchoices.co.uk to find out more about IPTV.

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