Examining recent advances in both TV delivery and computing/networking technologies, this book explores profitable, successful next-generation TV offerings. The focus of this comprehensive report is on using advances in internet technologies and networking to deliver competitive, multichannel pay-TV services to customer TV sets.

Discusses Internet protocol television (IPTV) and multimedia networks. This book points out the differences between this novel revolutionary technology and regular cable and satellite television services. It provides knowledge and design principles needed for the delivery of IPTV, along with examples from more than 25 technological companies.

With a focus on changing job tasks and knowledge requirements for professionals, this book enables readers to meet the demands of designing, implementing, and supporting end-to-end IPTV systems. Additionally, it examines IPTV technical subjects that are not included in any other single reference to date: Quality of Experience (QoE), techniques for speeding up IPTV channel changing times, IPTV CD software architecture, Whole Home Media Networking (WHMN), IP-based high-definition TV, interactive IPTV applications, and the daily management of IPTV networks.

One of the most popular offerings telecom companies now provide is the triple play, which consists of voice, video, and data, all from one company and with one bill. This book addresses the challenges and benefits of offering converged services and looks at how the new technology is affecting companies and customers.

Traditionally, the technologies of telecommunications, broadcasting, satellite, and computing operated independently while the industries associated with each were regulated independently along the same lines. Technological convergence challenges the vertical regulatory models of broadcasting, telecommunications, and computer services while simultaneously challenging the traditional approach to regulation by nation-states. It is time for a critical examination of regulations which support convergence while addressing the realities of the current media environment. This edited volume provides a heuristic analysis of the challenges facing regulators and media institutions. Chapters explore the nature of the laws and regulations straining under the new technological realities, consider the changes already made to accommodate the new media landscape, and examine new directions and approaches to the regulation of convergent media technologies and media institutions.

Providing an holistic approach to IMS technologies, IMS: A Development and Deployment Perspective explores service architecture for development and delivery of IMS services. Approaching IMS from the perspective of the user and the service provider it examines both the current state of deployment and future trends. The book offers a realistic view of IMS deployment to operators and service providers, giving practical examples, application cases and business models. It also presents IMS deployment strategies based on real-life deployment statistics from a live IMS test bed connected to an operator network and proof-of-concept applications including inter-operability trials and results. Focusing on IMS potential in terms of service creation, service composition and service provision the book discusses the ability of IMS to act not only as a service delivery framework, but also as a service integration framework. It presents the possible future of IMS in terms of convergence with Internet services, including discussions about integration with web technologies including the WIMS 2.0 initiative. The book enables a better understanding of how web technologies can complement the IMS service architecture and pioneer the post-IMS progress and success. Presents a novel service-oriented approach to IMS services and applications from a deployment perspective Places IMS in the context of the current telecom environment providing business models through WIMS 2.0 initiative Predicts the trends and potential future for the IMS evolution Provides a technical foundation to IMS principles and architecture Gives examples and solutions to the challenges of service creation and implementation and analyses deployment hurdles and interoperability trials Describes trends of convergence based on IMS and Web technologies

Stake your claim in the rapidly growing IPTV market with a thorough understanding of the key trends and technological advances shaping the future of broadband video technology. Make informed business decisions with a working knowledge of changes in technology, services, and business models. Get an up-to-date picture of the industry with new forms of television delivery, the new standard for video delivery, and current market figures. With annual growth estimates at 32+% for the next six years, this is necessary reading for remaining current in the marketplace. The second edition covers the monetization of IPTV, the differences between IPTV & Internet video, trends for the future and industry expectations. Written by two leading digital media experts, each with 25 years technology development experience and global insight.

Telecommunications Essentials, Second Edition, provides a comprehensive overview of the rapidly evolving world of telecommunications. Providing an in-depth, one-stop reference for anyone wanting to get up to speed on the $1.2 trillion telecommunications industry, this book not only covers the basic building blocks but also introduces the most current information on new technologies. This edition features new sections on IP telephony, VPNs, NGN architectures, broadband access alternatives, and broadband wireless applications, and it describes the technological and political forces at play in the world of telecommunications around the globe. Topics include Communications fundamentals, from traditional transmission media, to establishing communicationschannels, to the PSTN Data networking and the Internet, including the basics of data communications, local area networking, wide area networking, and the Internet and IP infrastructures Next-generation networks, including the applications, characteristics, and requirements of the new generation of networks that are being built to quickly and reliably carry the ever-increasing network traffic, focusing on IP services, network infrastructure, optical networking, and broadband access alternatives Wireless networking, including the basics of wireless networking and the technologies involved in WWANs, WMANs, WLANs, and WPANs