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IPTV

: This article is about Internet Protocol Television. For the television network in Iowa, see Iowa Public Television.

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) describes a system where a digital television service is delivered to subscribing consumers using the Internet Protocol over a Broadband connection. This service is often provided in conjunction with Video on Demand and may also include Internet services such as Web access and VOIP where it may be called Triple Play and is typically supplied by a broadband operator using the same infrastructure.

IPTV is expected to grow at a brisk pace in the coming years as broadband is now available to more than 100 million households worldwide. Many of the world s major telecommunications providers are exploring IPTV as a new revenue opportunity from their existing markets and as a defensive measure against encroachment from more conventional Cable Television services.

= Architecture =

IPTV is the service offer, not a protocol. An IPTV system requires two-way communication and therefore typically uses broadband technology based on xDSL over the Local loop. This results in a star network topology. The hub of the star is called a Head end and uses a DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer). This differs from conventional cable television systems which use a ring network topology.

= Protocols =

= Advantages =

Advantages of IPTV include two-way capability lacked by traditional TV distribution technologies, as well as point-to-point distribution allowing each viewer to view individual broadcasts. This enables stream control (pause, wind/rewind etc.) and a free selection of programming much like its narrowband cousin, the World Wide Web.

Tripleplay is an expression used by service operators describing a consumer package including telephony, Data and video. Offering tripleplay on a broadband connection requires either the use of IPTV and IP Telephony (Voice over IP, VoIP) on a combined IP-based packet infrastructure, or RF-modulated voice on a combined RF-based Cable TV infrastructure.

= Alternatives =

Alternatives to IPTV are traditional TV distribution technologies such as terrestrial television, satellite television and cable television TV. However, cable can be upgraded to two-way capability and can thus also carry IPTV.

VOD in the US is usually delivered over cable TV using the DVB protocol and is not labelled IPTV services.

= Companies =

== Operators and Deployments ==

The largest IPTV deployments today are (subscriber figures as of Q3 2005):

  • NOW TV (500.000 subscribers), operated by PCCW in Hong Kong, launched in Q3, 2003 [http://www.point-topic.com/content/bmm/profiles/vod/PCCW.htm]
  • Fastweb (250.000 subscribers) in Italy ([http://www.fastweb.it/ http://www.fastweb.it/]), launched in 2001 [http://isp-planet.com/technology/2005/fastweb.html]
  • MaligneTV (125.000 subscribers), operated by France Télécom in France, launched in Q4, 2003 [http://dataxis.com/navigation/broadband/un_seul_titre.aspdepeches=1450], [http://www.telecomweb.com/news/1126726325.htm]
  • Media on Demand (also MOD , 65.000 subscribers) operated by Chunghwa Telecom in the Republic of China, launched in Q1, 2004 [http://www.cht.com.tw], [http://www.cem.ulaval.ca/6thwmec/liu.pdf]
  • MTS TV (41.000 subscribers), operated by MTS in Canada, launched in Q1, 2003 [http://www.rbcinvest.globeinvestor.com/servlet/WireFeedRedirectcf=GlobeInvestor/royalbank/config&date=20050809&archive=gam&slug=RMICROSOFTTWO09]
  • Imagenio (40.000 subscribers), operated by Telefónica in Spain, launched in Q1, 2004 [http://www.telefonicaonline.com/on/es/imagenio/], [http://www.point-topic.com/content/bmm/profiles/vod/Telefonica.htm&comp_id=1175&g=4]
  • Max Interactive TV (34.000 subscribers), operated by SaskTel in Canada, launched in Q3, 2002 [http://www.sasktel.com/about_sasktel/news_room/2002_news_releases/sasktel_launches_digital_interactive_tv_service_in_saskatoon.html], [http://www.rbcinvest.globeinvestor.com/servlet/WireFeedRedirectcf=GlobeInvestor/royalbank/config&date=20050809&archive=gam&slug=RMICROSOFTTWO09]
  • BBTV (unkonwn ammount of subscribers), operated by Yahoo in Japan, launched in Unknown [http://www.bbtv.com/]

    • Other smaller IPTV deployments are:

  • Surewest (16.000 subscribers) in the USA [http://www.tvover.net/Minerva+Networks+And+SureWest+Deploy+Second+Generation+IPTV+System.aspx]
  • HomeChoice (15.000 subscribers), operated by VNL in the United Kingdom, launched in 2004 [http://www.broadband-help.com/newsitem.aspid=337], [http://www.point-topic.com/content/bmm/profiles/vod/Video+Networks.htm]
  • Kingston Interactive Television operated by Kingston Communications in the United Kingdom, Launched in 2000 [http://www.point-topic.com/content/bmm/profiles/vod/Kingston+Communications.htm&comp_id=919&g=4]
  • Magnet Networks in Ireland, launched in 2004 [http://www.xdsl.com/xdsl/page770-1489409.shtml]
  • Iceland Telecom in Iceland, launched in Q4, 2004 [http://www.telecommagazine.com/International/Article.aspId=AR_536]
  • Telia Sonera in Sweden, launched in Q1, 2005 [http://www.lightreading.com/document.aspdoc_id=66742]
  • iDTV, operated by Belgacom in Belgium, launched in Q2, 2005 [http://www.iptv-news.com/index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=217&Itemid=64], [http://www.belgacom.be/private/en/jsp/dynamic/product.jspdcrName=hbs_belgacomtv Belgacom TV], [http://selfcare.belgacom.be/static/pc/data/flash/belgacomtv/belgacomtv_en.html demo]
  • Yahoo! BB / Softbank in Japan, launched in Q2, 2005 [http://investorrelations.utstar.com/ReleaseDetail.cfmReleaseID=168015]
  • FiOS TV, operated by Verizon in Keller-TX, USA, launched in Q3, 2005 [http://www.tvover.net/Verizon+FiOS+TV+Is+Here.aspx]

    • In 2004, SBC Communication agreed to pay Microsoft $400 million dollars for software to be used to deliver IPTV services to up to 18 million customers. Separately, SBC is investing over $4 billion USD in its network infrastructure to prepare for the rollout, the largest part with Alcatel ($1.7 billion) including access and fiber technologies, IP routing, Ethernet switching solutions, and network systems integration services. Additionally, Alcatel will work with SBC to ensure the video systems integration. Since the SBC deal, Microsoft and Alcatel have subsequently announced a global collaboration agreement to develop an integrated IPTV delivery solution. In January 2005, US based Verizon signed an agreement to use Microsoft IPTV solution, as well.

    Previous to this, Swisscom/Bluewin has been running real live trials since November 2004 with over 600 customers. Besides this, Bell Canada, BellSouth, Reliance Infocomm (India) and TelecomItalia are testing this new technology.

    == Vendors ==

    The term IP/TV is an active registered United States trademark owned first by Precept Software, Inc. and now by Cisco Systems, Inc. The IP/TV product is an audio/video system, including both servers and viewers, based on the Real-time Transport Protocol/RTCP and Session Description Protocol protocols. It often uses IP multicast as well. IP/TV was introduced in 1995.

    Digital broadcast equipment manufacturer hardware and software catering to IPTV applications.

    [http://www.tutsys.com/ Tut Systems, Inc.] produces IPTV encoding and processing equipment for digital headends and video transport applications.

    Outsourced IPTV head-end service provider [http://www.broadstream.com Broadstream Communications] is the first legal transporter of IPTV content to small and medium sized markets that can not cost-justify an owned and operated IPTV head-end.

    IPTV 24/7 Quality monitoring and analysis vendors

  • Agama Technologies ([http://www.agama.tv/ official site])

    • IPTV Emergency Alert Systems

  • Trilithic, Inc ([http://www.trilithicEAS.com/ official site])

    • IPTV set-top box manufacturers include:

  • Advanced Digital Broadcast ([http://www.adbglobal.com/ official site])
  • Amino Communications, UK ([http://www.aminocom.com/ official site])
  • i3 micro ([http://www.i3micro.com/ official site])
  • Kreatel ([http://www.kreatel.com/ official site])
  • Pace Micro Technology ([http://www.pacemicro.com/ official site])
  • Samsung ([http://www.samsung.com/ official site])
  • Telsey Telecommunications, Italy ([http://www.telsey.com/ official site])
  • VBrick Systems, USA ([http://www.vbrick.com/ official site])
  • ZTE ([http://www.zte.com.cn/ official site])

    • IPTV software vendors include:

  • Alcatel ([http://www.alcatel.com official site])
  • ANT Software Ltd ([http://www.antplc.com official site])
  • Espial ([http://www.espial.com/ official site])
  • Mediasyscom ([http://www.mediasyscom.com/ official site])
  • Microsoft ([http://www.microsoft.com/ official site])
  • Minerva Networks ([http://www.minervanetworks.com/ official site])
  • Myrio ([http://www.myrio.com/ official site])
  • Orca Interactive ([http://www.orcainteractive.com/ official site])
  • Siemens ([http://www.siemens.com/ official site])
  • VBrick Systems, USA ([http://www.vbrick.com/ official site])
  • Verimatrix, USA ([http://www.verimatrix.com/ official site])
  • Video Furnace ([http://www.videofurnace.com/ official site])
  • ZTE ([http://www.zte.com.cn/ official site])
  • Recreate Solutions ([http://www.recreatesolutions.com/ official site])

    • IPTV end-to-end solutions:

  • Broadstream Communications ([http://www.broadstream.com/ official site])
  • UTStarcom ([http://www.utstar.com/Solutions/Broadband/IPTV_mVision/ official site])
  • mxWare ([http://www.mxware.com/ official site])
  • Industria ([http://www.industria.com/ official site])
  • ZTE ([http://www.zte.com.cn/ official site])
  • Tut Systems ([http://www.tutsys.com/ official site])
  • Cascade ([http://www.cascade-ltd.com/ official site])

    • IPTV News sources

  • InteractiveTV Today [itvt] [http://blog.itvt.com official site]
  • ipTVnews.com ([http://www.iptv-news.com official site])
  • iptv forum ([http://www.iptv-forum.com official site])
  • iptv asia ([http://www.iptv-asia.net official site])
  • IPTVNews.net ([http://www.iptvnews.net official site])
  • TVover.net ([http://www.tvover.net/ official site])
  • informitv ([http://informitv.com official site])
  • iptv-report ([http://iptv-report.com official site])
  • IPTV Information - Terms, Books, Events ([http://www.iptvinformation.net official site])
  • The Digital TV Weblog ([http://www.digitaltv-weblog.com Covers business models and advertising mostly])
  • IPTV Magazine ([http://www.iptvmagazine.com official site])
  • IPTV Glossary ([http://www.iptvnews.net/iptv/Glossary/ Covers Terms Related To IPTV])

    • = See also =

    *Internet television

    = External links =

    *[http://www.filefarmer.com/techshows Tech Shows - A list of free downloadable tech shows] *[http://www.alcatel.com/publications/abstract.jhtmlrepositoryItem=tcm%3A172-195491635 AmigoTV - A social TV experience through triple-play convergence] Technology White Paper *[http://www.itvt.com Tracy Swedlow s InteractiveTV Today], otherwise known as [itvt], a weekly email newsletter covering all aspects of interactive television and IPTV; offers news, features and interviews. [itvt] also offers research on IPTV trends and technologies and produces events that attract an international executive, techical, and creative audience. It has also just launched a [http://blog.itvt.com News Blog].