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IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) describes a
system where a digital television service is delivered using
the Internet Protocol over a network infrastructure, which may
include delivery by a broadband connection. For residential
users, this type of service is often provided in conjunction
with Video on Demand and may be part of combined Internet
services such as Web access and VoIP, where it may then be
called Triple Play or Quad Play, and is typically supplied by a
broadband operator using a single infrastructure. In businesses
IPTV may be used to deliver television content over corporate
LAN's and business networks. Perhaps a simpler definition of
IPTV would be television content that, instead of being
delivered through traditional formats and cabling, is received
by the viewer through the technologies used for computer
networks. In the past, this technology has been restricted by
slow download speeds. In the coming years, however, residential
IPTV is expected to grow at a brisk pace as broadband is now
available to more than 100 million households worldwide. Many
of the world's major telecommunications providers are exploring
IPTV as a new revenue opportunity from their existing markets
and as a defensive measure against encroachment from more
conventional Cable Television services.
Advantage:
Advantages of IPTV include two-way capability lacked by
traditional TV distribution technologies, as well as
point-to-point distribution allowing each viewer to view
individual broadcasts. This enables stream control (pause,
wind/rewind etc.) and a free selection of programming much like
its narrowband cousin, the web.
Triple play is an expression used by service operators
describing a package including telephony, data and video.
Offering triple play on a broadband connection requires the use
of IPTV and IP telephony (Voice over IP, VoIP).
Quad play is an expression used by service operators
describing a package including both fixed line and mobile
telephony, data and video. Offering triple play or quad play on
a broadband connection requires the use of IPTV and IP
telephony. |
