iptv business today
bandwidth. Even though, clearly, there physical and logical limitations is in the general doom and gloom? The
are many deployments of networks stressing the Internet with the growth good news is that the leading players
capable of handling real-time data in of new applications - such as the in IPTV seem to have recognised this
many forms, such network bandwidth iPlayer and YouTube - and the trend and have recognised that they will
issues could still amount to a potential towards ‘flattening’ of the Internet need to address these issues both in
problem if not taken into could lead to IP-address exhaustion terms of management and technology.
consideration. Operators need to be which itself could lead to a return to That is to say make some vital
constantly aware that by trying to add dedicated, ie expensive, networks. investments even if they may not
the transport of real-time audio/video “The Internet is shape-shifting,” said want to right now.
content onto an already loaded Ted Ritter, research analyst with One area is in terms of the encoding
network, which may already have a lot Nemertes Research. “Traffic is of the content that runs on the
of computer data or voice data to increasingly moving off the public network where, simple as it sounds,
satisfy the other elements of a total Internet onto paid or private overlay you do get what you pay for. Using the
service bundle may result in a less networks. Content providers - such as cheapest, least-intelligent encoders
than optimal viewing experience for NBC, which used Limelight Networks may seem a necessary tactic in these
their IPTV customers. to stream the 2008 Olympics - are cash-strapped times but doing so will
IP infrastructures were originally driving the trend toward a flattening, affect the end quality of the service
designed for the delivery of computer and shifting of the Internet.” and hence a customer’s willingness
data and increasingly these days the “Requirements for multi-homing - not just to take them up but to keep
same networks are being asked to providing multiple, separate routes to them. Keeping churn to a minimum is
cope with voice traffic. In data a given address - and ever-increasing simply fundamental to ensure a steady
applications, and to much lesser extent mobility are placing added stress on
voice, a dropped packet or two results the current Internet logical
Operators
revenue stream.
And that in the end is what it is all
in a pop or a click that is not perceived infrastructure,” explained Dr. Mike
need to be
about. Received wisdom, bordering on
as a great issue. However, when an IP Jude, senior analyst with Nemertes. “In aware that by malicious gossip, has it that some firms
network is delivering pictures and effect, the Internet could fracture back
trying to add
have looked at the robust growth of
synchronised sound, and in particular into groups of networks.”
the transport
IPTV and have calculated that basically
multi-channel sound, if there is a Nemertes predicted that the result
sudden packet loss or packet for users would improve service
of realtime
all that is required to be a successful
reordering, there will be a noticeable quality for 'favoured' content, and that
audio/video
player is to build a head-end, turn it on
and collect service revenues . This
service interruption at the STB. over time, the performance distinction content onto could not be further from what is
If IPTV services cannot guarantee between such content and so-called
an already
required. Running a successful IPTV
content delivery of the same audio general-delivery content would likely
loaded
deployment involves investing
visual quality as a satellite or cable increase. “None of this means the
company then its business case is Internet will abruptly stop working,”
network...
appropriately in system design as well
limited. How many mainstream added Ritter. “Instead, the slowdown
may result in
as in network design and having the
necessary management and
customers, and this is the real key will be in the area of innovation.
a less than
operational staff to make sure that the
here, would trade off quality for Ultimately, access bandwidth optimal viewers receive a high quality service
interactivity? Not many I would limitations will hamper deployment of
viewing
capable of competing against the
suggest. next-generation applications.” Could
experience.
satellite and cable companies. By
Unfortunately there may be another these be the applications from which making these investments the
inherent problem with IP also coming the operators derive their competitive technological hurdles can be overcome,
round the bend. According to a study positions? high quality ensured and viable
by Nemertes Research in November But is IPTV, instead of being the services proposed. Operators may not
2008, demand pushing against stand-out success, going to be trapped be able to afford to do anything else.
www.ibeweb.com l January/February 2009 l ibe l 7
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40