Around 4.5 million European homes could have Internet Protocol TV...

to be TV’s future, the BBC said. The U.K. has 2 IPTV services. Home Choice customers have instant access to more than 10,000 hours of movies, TV shows and music. Programs can be paused and re-wound as with the Sky+ box and kindred personal digital video recorders. A 2nd IPTV service from Telco Kingston delivers programs and subscription channels via phone lines. However, the BBC doubts IPTV will become generally available without higher broadband speeds. As other technologies do, IPTV gives viewers more control over TV -- “a threat and an opportunity” in broadcasters’ eyes, the BBC said. IPTV could alter technology used to watch TV and boost convergence between devices and software, the BBC said. But Ofcom’s purview doesn’t extend to content sent via the Internet, exempting IPTV broadcasters from decency rules and the U.K.’s 9 p.m. “watershed.” The BBC noted support for a “PC tax” -- akin to the TV license fee -- charged those who don’t own a TV but watch programs online. More than 30 telcos and network operators are testing IPTV across Europe, with Italy’s Fast Web the most successful so far, the BBC said. British Telecom (BT) and other U.K. telcos plan such services; BT is talking to broadcasters about content for its broadband customers. However, BT doesn’t plan to broadcast itself, but to offer an IPTV service for time-delayed programs like football matches, the BBC said.