Some key applications for initial IPTV deployment are the delivery of digital broadcast television and userselected video on Demand (VoD). These applications enable service providers to begin offering the “triple play” – video, voice and data. Additional video applications, which can be enabled after the IPTV infrastructure is in place, are also mentioned below.
Some key applications and services enabled by IPTV are discussed below and illustrated in Figure 2. Digital Broadcast TV – Conventional digital television has been delivered to subscribers via an upgraded cable TV plant or satellite systems. The advent of higher-speed DSL technology such as ADSL2, ADSL2+ and VDSL, enables IPTV as a compelling and competitive alternative. IPTV is currently in testing, or planning, stages with a number of telecom service providers in North America, Europe and Asia (see listing below).
IPTV has the potential to offer services that go beyond what traditional broadcast, cable, and satellite TV providers have offered to subscribers in the past. IPTV enables more content variety with a larger number of channels. This makes possible the availability of very diverse content to serve the interests of mass markets, specialized groups and demographic communities. Unlike conventional broadcast, cable and satellite TV, where all channels are simultaneously delivered (i.e. broadcast) to the subscriber home, IPTV only delivers those channels which are being viewed by the subscriber and has a potential to offer practically an ‘unlimited’ number of channels. Combined with a two-way interactive capability, which is inherent in IPTV because of its association with IP, consumers will be able to control what they want to watch and when. With a robust internal network, subscribers will have the ability to extend the experience throughout the home or business.
Video on Demand (VoD) – The video-on-demand application provides individual subscribers the ability to select a video content and view it at their convenience. This enables the service provider to offer additional revenue-generating services, such as:
• Movies on demand, which the user would select from a movie library available at the Service Node
• Stored programming content, such as sports events, television shows and newscasts, which can be viewed at a later time.
Unlike traditional cable/satellite pay-per-view services where a limited number of movies are broadcast and on fixed time-slots, IPTV/VoD service would give users more choices and the flexibility to watch movies anytime at their convenience.
Other compelling IPTV applications and potential revenue-generating services, which can be enabled once the initial IPTV infra-structure is in place, are:
• Video telephony and Video conferencing
• Remote Education, and
• Home Security/Monitoring Cameras
