Information Technology: An Overview of IPTV
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is an emerging technology that is used to deliver digital television through an Internet network to a subscriber’s home. The television channels are sent to the subscriber’s premises via packets in the same way internet traffic is transported. This allows telephone companies such as AT&T to offer services to compete with cable and satellite television companies. Using IP technology is much more efficient on a network, and allows for companies like AT&T to deliver television service on their network.
Background
IPTV does not refer to streaming internet video from a website, such as YouTube or watching television shows on NBC.com. Watching video through a web browser is known as internet video, and is unrelated to IPTV. IPTV is similar to satellite or cable television, it delivers broadcast television channels and offers other services such as Video on Demand to customers who pay a monthly fee. Similar to digital cable, IPTV services require a set top box in the subscriber’s home to decode the incoming packets of information. Because a high amount of bandwidth is needed to deliver high quality television channels, a high speed broadband internet connection is required for IPTV.
IPTV is important for telecommunication companies because it allows them to offer television, phone, and internet service all on one connection. This is called Triple Play and it allows for one company to be the single source of information delivery for a customer’s home. Cable companies are starting to offer phone services alongside internet and television, and phone companies will need IPTV to offer Triple Play services of their own in order to retain customers.
An additional benefit of using IP technologies is that it allows for unique services that are not possible with traditional satellite or cable television connections. When voice, data, and television information are all being delivered over one wire into a home over an IP based network, caller ID information could be displayed on the television when a new call comes in, and customers could program their DVR from anywhere in the world using a web interface. IP television provides new ways for companies to add unique features and value to differentiate themselves from their competition.
Overall, IPTV is not yet as widespread as satellite or cable television, although it is more popular in some countries than in others. IPTV is more popular in Europe than the US, with four times the number of users. In France IPTV is enjoying success, with about 1/3 to 1/2 of all households using IPTV technology. In the United States, IPTV is being offered in select locations by AT&T and Verizon, but neither offerings have made a significant impact on cable or satellite television market share.
IPTV Issues and Considerations
IPTV needs a broadband internet connection in order to achieve the required bandwidth to deliver television channels. If Triple Play services are offered, the television stations have to share bandwidth with the voice and data connection. This potentially can strain the network, so companies offering IPTV need an efficient network that can handle the demands of voice, data, and video.
Because IPTV uses packet switching networks, it is possible that some of the packets will be lost or delayed in transit to the subscriber’s premises. While low amounts of packet loss and delay are acceptable for internet use (if packets for a web page are corrupted in transit, the computer can request the packets again. The user has to wait a second or two longer for the page to fully load, but the page will still eventually load). Packet loss or delay is a problem with IPTV because the television image would cut out or distort. This is unacceptable because television viewers expect a constant, always on television signal with no hiccups or distortions. The reliability of IPTV is an important consideration in order to remain competitive with cable TV, which sets the standard as an always on, reliable service.