The VDSL 2 rollout, which involves fiber to the curb and the deployment of remote DSLAMs to provide the final leg of the high-speed connection over copper plant, will continue in 2008, with Germany's 50 largest cities set to benefit from the higher-speed connections. (See DT Flings Billions at Fiber Access.)

    That's a slip of at least 12 months from the initial plan of having VDSL2 available in all 50 cities by the end of 2007, but DT has faced some regulatory issues over competitive access to its new high-speed infrastructure that aren't over just yet. (See EC Sues Germany and EC Threatens Germany With Court Case.)

    DT had not responded to questions about its IPTV service targets and plans as this article was published.

    Europe is set to be the IPTV powerhouse during the next few years in terms of subscriber uptake, with the Gallic brigade of France Telecom SA (NYSE: FTE - message board), Iliad (Euronext: ILD - message board), and Neuf Cegetel Group (Euronext: NEUF - message board), along with Italy's FastWeb SpA , leading the way.