IMS Playing Increasing Role in Converged Services
June 2007
IMS for IPTV will likely start with cross platform services like caller ID on TV screens.
IMS will help mobile media devices register with local broadband networks to be able to access media and other information and display it in accordance with the capabilities of the local display (ranging from a small low resolution screen to a large HD wall display).
For more information, consult our: IMS and SDPs in IPTV Networks — August 2006 report and our MRG, Inc., June 2007 IPTV Bulletin
SES Americom Unveils IP-Prime Turnkey IPTV Solution
June 2007
IP-Prime offers various programming options, a carrier-grade headend, set-top boxes and multiple middleware solutions to make it a complete end-to-end IPTV solution.
Bill Squadron, senior vice president of media partnerships at SES Americom, said that its solution is the closest thing to “flicking a switch” to turn on an IPTV service. During NxtComm, SES showcased IP-Prime with NDS middleware.
IP-Prime is available as a “Transport Only” system where programming is delivered to the telco’s headend in MPEG-4 and distributed using the telco’s own STB solution. Or it can be used as a “Fully Managed” solution where SES takes care of the entire process from ingest to deliver into set-tops.
For more information, consult our: MRG, Inc., June 2007 IPTV Bulletin
Internet Video for IPTV Service Providers: A Preview
June 2007
It’s impossible to underestimate the impact of Internet video on service providers. The YouTube phenomenon is driving incredible demand for bandwidth; by some estimates, web video comprises as much as half of all backbone bandwidth. Subscribers are demanding more and more bandwidth to both view and submit video over the web. And when those subscribers are watching web video, they’re not watching broadcast or VOD content on IPTV services. But can the problem of Internet video also represent an opportunity? Can service providers actually make money with Internet video?
In July 2007, MRG will release “Internet Video for IPTV Service Providers,” a comprehensive report that will explain how to utilize Internet video in order to decrease churn and increase both subscription and advertising revenues. The report will cover both user-generated content (“bottom-up”) as well as professionally-produced (“top-down”) content, and the ways in which the video services offered by service providers should differ from YouTube and other sites.
The report will examine the technical and cost aspects of building and operating an Internet video capability, including outsourcing options throughout the content chain. A variety of vendors will be profiled, along with their relevant products and services. The issues of why, when and how to move Internet video to the set-top box will also be explored.
For more information, consult our: MRG, Inc., June 2007 IPTV Bulletin
BSkyB Talking to Tiscali; Drops PVR Fees
June 2007
U.K. satellite broadcaster BSkyB is reportedly in talks with Italian-based Tiscali to place its basic selection of in-house channels on Tiscali’s UK IPTV platform. Additionally, BSkyB is dropping its subscription fee for its Sky+ PVR package, which currently costs £10 (US$20) per month.
Dropping the fee for PVR means that BSkyB is trying to push the competition and drive down costs. Possibly other TV providers may be forced to drop PVR fees and absorb the costs themselves. Meantime, BskyB has announced plans to stop supplying Virgin Cable with satellite feeds.
{Note: analyst comments are italicized}
For more information, consult our: MRG, Inc., June 2007 IPTV Bulletin
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