IPTV: A Breakthrough for US Telcos?

Table of Contents

• 1 US telcos see IPTV as a key response to competitive pressures
  • 1.1 Competitive pressures and IP technology are renewing telcos interest in video
  • 1.2 Competition and market changes are squeezing incumbents revenues
  • 1.3 Incumbents see IPTV and triple play as a key response
  • 1.4 IPTV triple play has strengths -- but faces uncertainties
• 2 IPTV technologies and deployment are still at an early stage
  • 2.1 Telcos can choose from several IPTV-delivery modes and service types
  • 2.2 There are divergent infrastructure options
  • 2.3 Major players are making a variety of early deployments
• 3 Telcos need strong IPTV business cases to lead in triple play
  • 3.1 The basic case for telco video is strong
  • 3.2 Potential roadblocks could affect the telco IPTV business case
• 4 Advertising and interactivity are key IPTV opportunities
  • 4.1 Conventional TV advertising is in long-term decline
  • 4.2 IPTV offers significant interactive capabilities
  • 4.3 IPTV could replicate the benefits of Internet advertising
  • 4.4 IPTV matches advertising trends
  • 4.5 Interactive TV is already being used
  • 4.6 Interactive TV is easier for telcos than cable operators
  • 4.7 The quality of interactivity will be crucial
• 5 Telcos must plan for diverse outcomes
  • 5.1 Telcos face six main hurdles in regard to IPTV
  • 5.2 Outcome 1: Telco IPTV becomes a niche product
  • 5.3 Outcome 2: Telco IPTV becomes a cable equivalent
  • 5.4 Outcome 3: Telco IPTV powers an interactive advantage
  • 5.5 IPTV will affect all pay-TV players

Annex A: overview of cable TV

• A.1 Cable technology
• A.2 Cable services
• A.3 Regulatory issues

List of Figures and Tables

• Figure 2.1 TV and video delivery modes
• Figure 2.2 Fiber deployment options for telco IPTV
• Figure 2.3 DSL downstream capacity by length of copper loop
• Figure 5.1 Key hurdles and plausible outcomes for US telco IPTV
• Figure A.1 Cable and circuit-switched telecom architectures compared
• Table 2.1 Characteristics of chief forms of current DSL technology
• Table 2.2 Bell fiber and IPTV deployments
• Table 3.1 Breakdown of cable operators revenues, 2002--4
• Table A.1 Typical frequency allocations for services in 750MHz-bandwidth HFC cable network