What is IPTV?

IPTV or Internet Protocol Television delivers digital television service to subscribers via the Internet Protocol over a broadband connection. IPTV was introduced in 1995, is gaining favor for Video on Demand, and is most recently in telco news promoted by Microsoft as the future of streaming media. IPTV services are often offered in conjunction with Video on Demand (VoD) services as well as Internet data services like Web access and Internet Telephony, or VoIP. The “Triple Play over broadband” packages VoIP phone, IPTV and internet data in one solution and is typically supplied by a broadband operator using the same infrastructure

The crux of the IPTV service is its interactivity. Therefore, unlike most legacy cable television architectures, IPTV services necessitate a two-way stream of communication between service provider/system hub and the end user. Broadband access is the delivery method that enables this streaming media interactivity. Broadband technology uses DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) over the local loop. Bell Labs arguably made IPTV possible with the invention of DSL technology in 1988. An engineer at BL discovered a way to send digital data utilizing then-unused spectrum. The local loop combined with DSL forms a star network design, as opposed to legacy cable's ring network topology.

The hub of the IPTV star is called a “Head End,” which uses DSLAM technology -- Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer. IPTV's network structure allows two-way communication, point-to-point distribution. Result? The end user chooses his or her own broadcast, a true video-on-demand service. The p2p function also lets the viewer pause, rewind and replay the broadcast similar to video data on the Internet. The term "IP/TV" is an active registered United States trademark that was first owned by Precept Software, but now owned by Cisco. The IP/TV product is an audio/video system, including both servers and viewers, based on the RTP/RTCP and SDP protocols. IPTV often uses IP multicast as well. IPTV trends are expected to grow at a stunning pace over the next five years as broadband adoption grows and DSL service expands. Consumers can expect IPTV news to cover, in addition to video-on-demand movies currently offered, streaming media technology like video games on demand, TV education, interactive news with information on demand, catalogue shopping and interactive advertising.

IPTV is critical for telcos as a way to compete with cable companies, which have already penetrated the telcos' market by offering VoIP services along with their television and Internet data services.