Topic: Internet Media Services –IPTV

蘇瑛玟 P93747007

蔡明遠P93747004

What Is IPTV?

IPTV refers to a group of related technologies delivering television programmingusing a broadband connection over the Internet. These are emerging technologies, as their software and hardware are still being developed. IPTV promises to leverage the flexibility and scalability of IP technology to transform the television experience by providing access to more content of a superior quality that can be more personalized and interactive than traditional broadcast TV.

The terms IPTV, Internet television and TV over the Internet are often used interchangeably. They should not be, for they reflect separate end-user experiences and have different technology requirements. Our analysis does not consider video streaming over the Internet, or TV viewed on a PC. This analysis focuses on broadcast and pay-TV services transmitted directly to a TV set (through a STB) using the fixed telco access network (Such as ADSL).

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Defining IPTVDefining IPTV Accepted industry term (Internet Protocol TV) Accepted industry term (Internet Protocol TV)

Voice over IP (Voice over IP (VoIPVoIP) is to telephony as IPTV is to pay) is to telephony as IPTV is to pay--TV TV

Uses IP broadband network infrastructure to deliver payUses IP broadband network infrastructure to deliver pay--TV services TV services directly to TVs directly to TVs PCs a potential secondary target, but not a requirementPCs a potential secondary target, but not a requirement

Fully operator managed payFully operator managed pay--TV serviceTV service Not a device model but a service one (monthly subscription, pay Not a device model but a service one (monthly subscription, pay per viewper view……))

What IPTV is What IPTV is notnot TV over highTV over high--speed Internetspeed Internet

Most countries restrict live TV over Internet Most countries restrict live TV over Internet

Unique regulations per countryUnique regulations per country

Not bestNot best--effort streaming mediaeffort streaming media

Not Not ““TrickleTrickle”” VOD on PC or SetVOD on PC or Set--Top Box (STB)Top Box (STB)

Technology blurs the lines, but businesses are completely differTechnology blurs the lines, but businesses are completely differentent

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How does IPTV work?

IPTV uses a switched digital video architecture rather than the channel-based architecture of broadcast TV. The difference is that while the channel-based architecture delivers hundreds of channels of programming to the customer, a switched digital video architecture transmits only the channels or the content that the customer demands.

The advantages of such architecture include the ability to carry a diverse range of programming and the creation of more bandwidth as the number of channels transmitted significantly decreases. While this architecture is very similar to the VoD concept, unlike VoD, it supports multicast sessions (two-way communications). Multicast capabilities facilitate interactivity of the network.

IPTV will leverage the “intelligence” of IP networks, unify video with voice and dataapplications, and enable a personalized and interactive TV experience.

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High Level IPTV NetworkHigh Level IPTV Network ArchitectureArchitecture

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VSOVSO

VSOVSO

VSOVSO

COCO

COCO

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COCO

COCOCOCO

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AccessAccessNetworkNetwork RGRG

CoreCore

MetroMetro

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VHE:VHE: Video Head EndVideo Head EndVSO:VSO: Video Serving OfficeVideo Serving OfficeCO:CO: Central OfficeCentral OfficeRG:RG: Residential GatewayResidential Gateway

The IPTV Technology Value Chain

1. Head End

The head-end receives and formats content from content sources, including analog and digital satellites and antennas, and distributes it over the operator’s private IP network. The head-end includes video servers, encoding servers, service management and billing servers, and middleware to assimilate all components. When the signal is received at the head-end, encoder servers ensure that all content including broadcast video is digitized, compressed, packetized and converted into the format used by the operator.

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2. Transport

The transport network delivers the video streams from the head-end to the DSLAM or cable hub nearest to the subscriber in the access network. The network should be capable of multicast and unicast traffic. Multicasting involves service to multiple DSLAMs and subscribers with a single video stream from the head-end. This approach lowers costs and minimizes bandwidth usage.

3. Access

The access network provides a managed connection to the subscriber’s STB. The DSLAM is the last element in the access network, managing the delivery of the content. The closer it is to the subscriber, the better the throughput is.

There are a number of ways to increase the access bandwidth:

‧ Operators could change the access architecture by shortening the length of the local loop and bringing the DSLAM closer to the customer or by deploying fiber to the home.

‧ Operators can also migrate the access equipment to more bandwidth-efficient technologies. DSL infrastructure could be upgraded to ADSL 2+ or VDSL. Or operators could choose to deploy passive optical network (PON) equipment using fiber.

4. The Set-Top Box

The STB connects the subscriber’s TV with the access network and de-codes the signal format so that content can be viewed on the TV. It could support a range of video codecs, including MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and Microsoft Windows Media-9 (VC-9).

Operators can choose to deploy STBs that can de-code all of the formats and bypassthe uncertainty around the video codec formats. The STB is likely to incorporate more functionality as the technology advances. It already serves as a DSL modem for some IPTV operations.

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IPTVIPTV TechnologyTechnology ValueValue ChainChain

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Examples:Alcatel ANTBigBandNetworksEntone TechHarmonicMicrosoft Minerva Myrio/Siemens SiemensOrca Interactive TellabsTandberg TV

Examples:Alcatel Ericsson LucentMarconiSiemens

Examples:Alcatel EricssonJuniper LucentMarconi MotorolaRedback Networks SiemensTellabs

Examples:AminoEricssoni3MicroMicrosoftMotorolaSiemens

Some of the considerations and challenges are as follows:

‧ Bandwidth prioritization needs to be established for a satisfactory customer experience.

‧ Operator video offers should match the levels of QoS to which the customer is accustomed with other video services.

‧ IPTV is not broadcast TV; some features might not make business sense to carry over.

‧ Content-rich services and bandwidth-intensive applications will result in increased demand for backhaul capacity.

‧ STB strategy will determine the long-term functionality of the IPTV serviceoffering.

‧ IPTV network must transmit the content in a secure environment.

‧ IPTV’s increased functionality should not result in hard-to-use end-userequipment.

We believe it will take some time for wireline video services to fully realize IP capabilities. We identify three phases in the development of the IPTV offer:

1. Operators will enter the market with a “me too” pay-TV offer at first.

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2. The VoD offer will improve, with more content choice, attractive pricing and new equipment in the home.

3. After upgrading the access network and expanding service coverage, operators will scale their IP offerings and begin introducing more interactive services..

Business Model of IPTV

The transformation to next-generation business models will be challenging. ‧ The telco plan is to ride broadband and ultimately provide converged services.

‧ The introduction of video services calls for a fundamental business transformation for telcos as they become media and entertainment companies.

‧ As a media company, an operator will work closely with companies that it formerly has not, including content providers, consumer electronics providers and advertisers.

‧ Operators will be able to tap into the massive advertising opportunity with video services and diversify revenue streams.

IPTV business model and makes the following salient points:

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‧ For now, at least, telcos are satisfied being mere content distributors:

The pure content distribution model has been the favored approach in the initial phase of market development. The key risk factor is the cost of the content; for telcos, the economics are often unattractive. Ultimately, telcos will be better served emphasizing revenue-sharing deals; The another option for telcos is content creation, arguably the most extreme scenario of telecoms/media convergence.

‧ Size matters; telco size will be a key determinant of content acquisition

The advantages afforded by size for content sourcing are undeniable, a good omen fortelco incumbents. While their IPTV offerings are still at early stages of development, the larger telcos have the advantage of bringing to the table existing networks of millions of subscribers. some carriers have subscriber bases larger than the entire pay-TV market. In a context where the larger content providers are unwilling to talk to distributors that cannot offer minimum guarantees, telcos’ size is often enough to open doors. This is not negligible. Content distribution mergers are often driven by the need to slash programming costs; a key driver of Comcast’s acquisition of AT&T in 2002 was the realization of programming cost savings around US$250m-$450m over a three-year period.

Telcos have something else content providers lust after: their mobile user base.

Perhaps even more than IPTV — for which there are alternatives, after all — content providers are fixated by the opportunity to distribute their content to millions of mobile customers. In some cases, telcos will be able to leverage their broadband and mobile assets to offer multi-platform access to their user base in exchange for advantageous content acquisition terms.

The Price of IPTV:

‧ Price competitiveness and service bundling have been key elements of the IPTV value proposition. As new players in the pay-TV marketplace, telcos have to give subscribers a reason to switch providers or to get a broadband subscription. Assuming they do not have

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unique, exclusive content, pricing emerges as a key area of differentiation. All the players analyzed for the purposes of this study offered price points for basic packages at levels lower than or equal to prices proposed by cable players. The discounts are not substantial. But combined with a wide array of channels, they generally make the IPTV offering price-competitive.

‧ The most powerful pricing propositions, however, have been those built around service bundles. Basic content being relatively equal, subscribers will switch if price points are attractive.

‧ Content a la carte is good for IPTV market share; its economic viability is doubtful: Offering content on an “a la carte” basis can help accelerate IPTV adoption, but leads to lower ARPS and is unpopular with content providers. Few other IPTV players have embraced the model, owing to a number of vital shortcomings. Successful IPTV Is About a Focus on Broadband — Not TV

Successful IPTV is more about selling broadband than about selling television.

The WW IPTV major service providers

Area Vendors Services Star Time Subscribers

Japan Softbank BBTV 2003 ≒100 thousand

Hong Kong PCCW Now Broadband TV

2003 440 thousand

Taiwan CHT Big TV 2004 55 thousand

Singapore SingTel iTV 2001(Test) <50 thousand

Italy Fastweb Fastewb TV 2002 560 thousand

UK Video Networks

HomeChoice 1999 17 thousand

France France Telecom

Maligne TV 2003 <20 thousand

  FreeDSL Free IPTV 2003 <20 thousand

Spain Telefonica Telefonica TV 2002 71 thousand

Canada SaskTel Max Front Row 2002 70 thousand

IPTV Market categorization

We can categorize IPTV markets along the following lines:

‧ The IPTV sweet-spot markets: These are markets that are experiencing strong broadband growth, but have pay-TV penetration levels that are relatively modest by developed economy standards, at around 50% or less. In essence, IPTV helps expand the pay-TV addressable market. Most of the IPTV deployments to date have taken place in these markets, and the most successful IPTV case studies come from here as well. We estimate that the sweet-spot markets will account for about 80%-90% of total IPTV subscriber base as of YE2005.

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‧ The high-risk IPTV markets: High-risk IPTV markets are characterized by a mature pay-TV marketplace, with strong pay-TV penetration and a number of strong, established players. The attraction lies in the fact that the market is open to pay-TV services and ready to pay for them. The risk lies in the degree of competition to be faced by IPTV. Examples of such markets include the US, Taiwan and Belgium.

‧ The IPTV wildcards: We have identified a third category of markets that we consider wildcards of sorts, markets with fairly low pay-TV and broadband penetration levels. Most emerging markets fall in this category, including Brazil, Mexico, China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Russia. In most of these markets, the traditional broadband positioning model has met limited.

IPTV wildcard markets are exceptions to that argument: IPTV can be primarily about TV, with Internet access conveniently bundled in.

Case Study: Chun Hwa Telecom

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) launched MOD service in March 2004 to its own ADSL subscribers in northern Taiwan and introduced the service nationwide in August 2005 under the brand name iTV. CHT views IPTV as an additional distribution channel for its content and looks to further stimulate data usage. CHT runs an Internet portal, HiChannel, by acting as a content aggregator to increase data revenues.iTV MOD service is currently exclusive to CHT’s ADSL subscribers, which account for 80% of the total ADSL subscriptions in Taiwan.

The operator is planning to extend this service to the ADSL subscribers of other ISPs in due course, after it sees a critical mass in its own market.

iTV Mod is currently delivered on CHT’s ADSL network. The operator plans to extend the offering to ADSL subscribers of other ISPs. Depending on the access rates of subscribers’ ADSL packages, viewers receive MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 streams at 1.5 or 3 Mbits respectively. Moving forward, CHT plans to upgrade its network to the VDSL technology, which will enable 50 Mbps of downstream speed with a high degree of QoS to manage bandwidth use. Alcatel and ZyXEL are the suppliers of CHT’s VDSL systems and CPEs.

Competition: CHT Is the Dominant Market Player

Operators need to receive a license to offer an IPTV service. The IPTV service is classified as a cable-TV service according to the regulatory framework. However, unlike the cable-TV market, where system operators are restricted from freely expanding into other districts, IPTV is defined as a nationwide business. CHT controls 80% of Taiwan’s broadband market, a presence that essentially guarantees its domination of the IPTV space.

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Major Conglomerates and Their Affiliates in the Major Conglomerates and Their Affiliates in the TelecommunicationsTelecommunicationsand Cableand Cable--TV Markets in TaiwanTV Markets in Taiwan

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Content Offerings

MOD’s current TV content is not very differentiated than the cable-TV or the other pay-TV option in Taiwan. The major difference is that MOD focuses on socially popular content, whereas the pay-TV service offered by China Network Systems, one of the two leading cable-TV MSOs, provides five adult channels, along with their education, information and entertainment contents.

CHT’s basic package offers more than 20 channels, including the five domestic terrestrial channels, Beautiful Life Television (a Buddhism channel), Tsu-Chi Channel (a Buddhism and charity foundation program), Taiwanese Aboriginals Channel, ABC from Australia and TV5 from France.

Local-Flavored Content

‧ Karaoke-on-demand: MOD provides a selection of more than 1,000 songs to enable subscribers to enjoy karaoke at home. A service is planned to allow subscribers to upload their homemade MTV to local channels.‧ E-learning: English learning (from kids to adults) and on-the-job training are big things in the Taiwanese society. According to a survey issued by Taiwan Network Information Center in July 2005, VoIP and distant learning are the two growth drivers in the broadband service market in Taiwan, with roughly 35% of users expressing an interest in VoIP services and 32% expressing an interest in subscribing to distant-learning content.

Interactive Applications

‧ Home Banking.‧ Home Shopping

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Subscriber, Revenue and Profitability Performance

By the end of July 2005, CHT has registered a total of 55,000 subscribers to its MODservices. The net addition in July 2005 was 7,000 subscribers. The company hopes tosee this number increase to 200,000 by the end of 2005.

Case Study：PCCWCompany description

Incumbent Hong Kong telecommunications provider Leading provider of local telephony, narrowband, broadband, business

and IT services Cascade network engineering services PCCW employs approximately 12,000 staff

Introduction“NowBroadband”TV launched in September 2003 World’s first and largest commercial IPTV deployment Over 500,000 subscribers at end 2005 HDTV and VoD recently launched Now planning new interactive services

Services- Subscribers to Netvigator broadband service receive TV package at no incremental cost

with 12 month commitment More than 85 channels

15 free channels 70 individually purchasable or selectable as mini-packages 60% of subscribers pay for extra channels

A La Carte channels as competitive entry strategy, migrating to “mini packs” retaining choice

Consumers pay only for what they want

Key Success factors for PCCW- Start with large broadband customer based enabled by bandwidth everywhere and low

cost STB decoder Provide excellent customer relationship management with proactive outbound call centre

telesales Adopt A La Carte channel as competitive entry strategy, migrating to “mini packs”

retaining choice Offer wide choice of content including exclusives Protect content providers rights – zero piracy with revenue Exceed cable service level including better picture quality and easy to use customer

interface Develop strong “in-house” capabilities for network/systems development and installation

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