The HomePNA (News - Alert) Alliance, which develops home networking specifications and also certifies and promotes member products, welcomed Italy's Telecom Italia (News - Alert) as its newest member.

As a result, the Alliance, which spans the networking, telecommunications, hardware, software and consumer electronics industries, has increased its membership to 23, according to officials.

The Alliance helps design, deploy and support new products and services. Members also benefit from the technical support, standardization and certification that HomePNA provides.

Service providers offering IPTV (News - Alert) services stand to benefit considerably as HomePNA home networking products are increasingly being used as critical components in such services. Rapid certification of products, low cost of deployment and end user satisfaction tend to increase service deployments.

"We are pleased that HomePNA is serving a critical role in so many successful triple play service deployments around the globe," said Eran Gureshnik, president at HomePNA.

HomePNA, a non-profit association of industry-leading companies, operates over coax cables and phone wires to deliver IP services and it works hard to create, promote and certify member products for both private homes and multiple dwelling units.

Service providers are thus well positioned to meet and drive the growing demand for new services such as IPTV and VoIP.

Founded in June 1998, HomePNA members represent cutting-edge international companies. Over 30 million HomePNA products have been shipped to telco, satellite, and cable service providers worldwide.

In related news, The HomePNA Alliance announced that its technology standard has been approved by the Digital Living Network Alliance for incorporation into the next version of its Networked Device Interoperability Guidelines. This ensures that a product has been tested and proven compatible with various products designed according to the DLNA Interoperability Guidelines.