Opera Software has signed a deal to provide its browser to set-top boxes running over Internet Protocol television (IPTV) networks.

Japanese company Plat'C2 will include Opera in its Broadband Terminal box. All applications and menus are presented with the use of HTML, Java and CSS in Opera's presentation engine.

Opera said that by using its HTML presentation engine, middleware costs can be reduced by 50 per cent compared to traditional broadcast boxes.

John Tsukahara, chief executive at Plat'C2, said in a statement: "Opera provides an excellent browser and presentation engine that is simple and cost-effective to implement.

"With Opera, users can enjoy a wide range of HTML news and services with the use of a simple numeric keypad."

The IPTV market is small but growing, with Asia leading the way, according to research company Strategy Analytics.

Around 33 operators are deploying IPTV worldwide, and it is estimated that more than 20 million homes will be subscribing to IPTV services by 2008.