Of particular significance in this scenario is the so-called “triple play“. This convergence of telephony, television and the Internet will do a great deal to push the realisation of innovative broadband applications. For example, the data superhighway makes IPTV services (television via the Internet) possible.

Deutsche Telekom had good reason to acquire the IP rights for the German Bundesliga football games until 2009: to be able to offer its customers a service they are already familiar with from other providers – with the addition of “ondemand“ facilities and interactive services.

Deutsche Telekom‘s commitment to the 2006 football World Cup is also a step towards the possibilities of the future. Examples include the full equipment of the media workstations and installation of the digital radio security system TETRA in all twelve World Cup stadiums, as well as the global transmission of the television signal in both PAL and HDTV standards. Additional Deutsche Telekom innovations include: the new TV standards (HDTV, digital terrestrial TV/DVB-T, mobile TV), high-tech stadiums and their surroundings (access control systems, traffic management) and mobile TV.