Web traffic is increasing at an incredible rate, and broadband networks
using IP protocols provide triple-play business models with voice, data-
exchange and video services. Video services in particular, especially high-
definition, are one of main reasons for the constant increase in the use of
broadband.

Typical applications include multimedia file sharing, which is behind the
success of MySpace, YouTube and other peer-to-peer services, webcasting,
Video-on-Demand and broadband television (IpTv).
These emerging technologies are creating new opportunities for private and
public developers. The new services are expanding as fast as the diffusion of
broadband technology, and are both the cause and effect: from 2003 to 2007
broadband access of this type registered a global increase of 600%, with an
average increase of about 120% each year as seen in the graph below.
Besides improving the traditional web services, broadband Internet is a great
opportunity for telecommunication providers to offer new content-linked
services (TV, cinema, sport, etc.) which are of great strategic importance to
compensate the drop in profits on traditional services (voice and data).