Abstract
Introduction
Wireless Networks - 700Mhz
- U.S. network operators are opening their networks to products sold at
retail. This is happening now with both the wireless operators and the cable
companies. The wireless companies are responding to pressure coming from the
powerful open Internet ethic and from the influence of Google and other major
Internet companies. - This pressure caused the U.S. FCC to include open access
provisions in its auction of 700 MHz spectrum and led major U.S. wireless
operators, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint to initiate open access programs.
Cable Networks
- The cable networks have followed a similar path as the Telcos. The cable
companies started with closed networks that have become quite large over time.
As it did with the Telcos, the U.S. FCC has been pushing the cable companies
to open their networks so that consumers can buy TVs, DVRS, or other retail
video devices, and connect them directly to the cable network without a
set-top box provided by the cable company.
- The cable companies introduced tru2way in January 2008 that provides the
ability to connect retail devices to the cable network and access a full set
of services including interactive applications using cable set-top boxes or
retail products. The deployment of tru2way will create a strong opportunity
for retail open access products connected to the U.S. cable networks.
Digital Living Networks
- The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) was formed to create an open
standards based, multi vendor interoperable ecosystem for exchanging all types
of media including photos, audio, and video files between a broad set of
devices. DLNA can be used to support the storage of media that may be
generated using a camcorder as well as playing this media on a TV or an audio
player.
- DLNA provides opportunities for the cable and Telco companies as well as
for retail product companies to offer new architectures for delivering home
entertainment. DLNA can be used to discover and stream content to TV' s and
audio systems, DLNA devices handle the rendering of the content, so a DLNA
network can eliminate the rendering function from the set-top box or its
equivalent. DLNA may also provide a way to create a multivendor approach to
functions such as whole home DVR where a single DVR can serve any of the TVs
in a home.
- DLNA will give the consumer electronics companies the ability to market
products that take new roles, such as the ability to act as the home library
of the full range of media and to play it on a variety of devices. Service
providers can create new home network architectures by using the new DLNA
retail devices in addition to or in place of their own products. These new
architectures will create significant revenue opportunities for the consumer
electronics companies along with significant opportunities for the cable
companies to reduce their capital expenditures on set-boxes and other consumer
devices.
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