Video-on-demand specialist Espial (News - Alert) has joined the SCTE’s Society for Broadband Professionals, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the standard of broadband engineering in the global telecommunications industry.

As a corporate member of SCTE, Espial will be actively involved in promoting the group's mission of advancing the working knowledge of broadband telecommunications engineers on a variety of topics, especially around the IP video experience, an ever-increasing focus of SCTE's members.

"In today's highly competitive marketplace, broadband professionals must be actively engaged in learning more about the latest video technologies and industry innovations to provide their customers with the best possible user experience," said Kirk Edwardson, director of marketing at Espial. "Espial's brings in-depth IP video subject-matter expertise that will improve the skills and knowledge of engineering and operations professionals."

Espial's product family includes a video content delivery platform, a video service delivery platform and an HTML, WebKit-based TV browser solution.

The move indicates Espial’s commitment to standards as well, the company noted. The Society also chairs the British Standards Committee for Cable Systems and represents the U.K. on a variety of worldwide standards committees, including the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC) and the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC (News - Alert)). SCTE members have easy access to global standards updates through the organization's Broadband Journal and its website, www.thescte.eu, and U.K. members have the opportunity to comment on standards development within the U.K. before they are finalized in Europe.

"We are delighted to welcome Espial as a member," said Dr. Roger Blakeway, president of the SCTE, the Society for Broadband Professionals. "The SCTE provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, discussion of relevant topics, and networking within the cable and telecommunications industry. Through our educational events, including lecture meetings on current technical issues and technician training programs, SCTE offers its members broadband industry accreditation and certification, enhancing their professional standing within the industry."