Detecon Releases In-Depth Review of IPTV

August 7, 2006 - Detecon, a global telecommunications and information technology consultant, has released several key predictions and caveats for the emerging IPTV industry. The paper, ‘IPTV: Technology and Development Predictions’, is aimed at those interested in keeping current with IPTV technology and market developments.

‘IPTV: Technology and Development Predictions’ outlines an array of IPTV architectures, explaining the core components of an end-to-end system.  It also looks in depth into the issues of channel change and video codec.  Detecon investigates the requirements IPTV imposes on the network for additional bandwidth and multicasting support.  The paper also describes several IPTV initiatives both in the US and abroad.

“We can help service providers do the proper analysis for a more robust, more cost-effective IPTV deployment,” said Eckart Pech, CEO Detecon, Inc.  “Over the years, we’ve seen promising new technologies develop around the world and our experience can help US carriers better compete.”

Detecon’s eye-opening IPTV predictions include a warning that popular IPTV middlewares might need some significant changes.  “Software companies are committed to IPTV and have invested a lot in marketing and engineering activities,” said the paper’s author, Dr. Patrick Pfeffer, Chief Network Architect at Detecon, Inc.  “But most of the releases are far too complex, and subsequent releases will likely be even more complex” warned Dr. Pfeffer.  “Software partially mitigates the lack of bandwidth in the local loop, but that doesn’t outweigh the potential risks.”  He urges Telcos to press software companies for a simplified architecture and open interfaces.

Dr. Pfeffer also cautioned that most of the current Telco IPTV models are undifferentiated “Me-Too” video offerings aimed at helping Telcos gain mere parity with the Cable MSOs, who are quickly deploying VoIP for Triple Play.  “We can help Telcos be more innovative by leveraging their communications leadership, while expanding into entertainment services” added Dr. Pfeffer.  “Building an IPTV capable network is certainly within reach for Telcos, but succeeding in the market will require a dramatic culture change.”