The retail value of Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) set-tops will reach beyond $10 billion by 2009, according to a new study from In-Stat.

In-Stat, a sister company to CED magazine, noted that Australia is presently the largest consumer of high-definition DTT boxes, followed by North America. Europe also remains a strong player, and could grow stronger next year if the 2006 World Cup soccer tournament drives uptake for DTT gear.

The report noted that domestic interest in the technology will be buoyed by services like US Digital Television Inc. (USDTV), which uses datacasting technology to deliver limited lineups of television programming for as low as $19.95 per month.