13 January, 2021
Opinion pieces
This is a guest post by Vladimir Uhrovic, Senior Designer at Slovak Telecom
A customer talking about their experience with you is worth ten times that which you write or say about yourself . David J. Greer, Author
The beginning The story begins in 2007 when Slovak Telekom, a major Slovak fix line operator, deployed an IPTV solution based on Microsoft Mediaroom platform. Even though we were TV enthusiasts, we had at that time almost no experience with providing TV services, so we had to learn on-the-fly.
The challenge of the new IPTV solution We found out very quickly that providing such a service without proper monitoring is practically impossible. In 2008 we did a tender for IPTV monitoring and Agama was the winner. They were the only ones who could fulfill our requirements as well as being cost-effective.
How did Agama solution help on the new TV service journey? The deployment was about forty Agama probes all over the network and Agama Enterprise server, covering all that into one central point. The Enterprise server provides real-time aggregation, alarms and data storage but also features an application platform, which provides core application with different interfaces for system management, technical operations and reporting.
We also did the integration with ST umbrella management IBM Netcool. The idea of Agama deployment was to monitor all multicast IPTV streams in different points in the network. We had probes in signal acquisition to see the quality of the signal we are ingesting. Then we put them also behind encoders, to be able to evaluate the quality of the encoding process. The important point was the encrypted output of the IPTV platform itself and finally more points in the IP/MPLS network in order to cover the whole topology (at that time already quite complex).
What was monitored and how? All the streams were monitored according to ETSI recommendations TR 101 290 Priority 1 ,2, 3 and also video inspection quality (picture freeze, black screen, macro blocking/ pixelation, no audio, network parameters etc.) was performed in those places where the signal in the network was not scrambled with DRM (e.g. in the head-end).
Of course, Agama also presented us with an excellent solution where SW probe is installed directly into STB to have a comprehensive, full end-to-end QoE. Unfortunately, this was not possible for us due to the closed proprietary MS solution.
The promised solution was not just a dream, but it became a reality After a short time, we were sure that we made the right choice. Agama was really helpful in the beginnings of our TV experiences and also during years of daily TV services operation. As we have optimized our network, we have been able to efficiently move monitoring capacity where we need it to place it. In 2017 we also introduced Agama OTT probes where we are able to monitor our OTT services for two countries (T-Mobile Czech and Slovak Telekom) with only few probes. We are already benefiting from the existing Enterprise server, which was able to cover both IPTV and OTT probes.
Currently, we are using Agama monitoring in daily operations. Our NOC people have dedicated monitors where they can see customized dashboards with a global view 24/7. In case of any alarm or deviation, they can quickly locate the problem and solve it together with ST operations. Of course, also ST operation is using Agama monitoring in case of troubleshooting. They do have a dedicated probe where they connect new or suspicious streams and doing deep dive inspection - whenever necessary.
The signs of success Over the past years, the Agama solution has proven itself to be the perfect fit for our TV service and it helped us a lot in providing quality streaming to our customers. We were able to integrate it very easily in our network, as it is made to be flexible and straightforward to set up. We now have an easy way to monitor and troubleshoot our IPTV and OTT network, which makes our Operations team's life much easier. We appreciate the regular updates, the useful improvements but also the good communication, fair attitude, and excellent level of support. As the OTT services are being more and more popular, we have to give appropriate attention to this growing part of our business.
Our collaboration is very successful, and we look forward to continuing for the years to come. For 2021 we plan an additional extension for OTT solution in order to be able to cover all streams and profiles.
Share this:
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
09/06/2026
Composer and Conductor Eric Whitacre to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Berklee Va...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Technology collaboration to validate AMPP and Lawo HOME orchestration integration, showcasing Dynamic Media Facility principles in practice.
Grass Valley and ...
09/06/2026
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming solutions, today announced that Axel Springer SE, international media and technology company, has deployed Playe...
09/06/2026
LiveU, the global leader in live IP-video solutions, today announced a landmark deployment with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) that has brought Video ...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Two Alumni Win Tony Awards Mike Morris and Cedric Leiba Jr. won awards for Best Orchestrations and Best Play, respectively.
June 8, 2026
By
Tori Donahue
...
09/06/2026
These special programmes will highlight RT 's connection with the Irish diaspora
This year, RT is marking 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland with...
08/06/2026
The two execs discuss the goals and the challenges of building a huge multi-cult...
08/06/2026
This industry legend has been a road warrior since the early '90s and is, today, a lynchpin on College GameDay
The sports-production industry continues to ...
08/06/2026
DAZN has agreed a multi-year rights partnership with Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), expanding its global combat sports portfolio.
DAZN will broadcast EFC...
08/06/2026
As fans move across broadcast, streaming, social, mobile and creator-led platforms, and they expect every angle, in real time, TVU Networks has released a new e...
08/06/2026
Infront has further strengthened the 2026 Diamond League's international bro...
08/06/2026
Grass Valley has announced the appointment of Sam Craig as Vice President, Global Pre-Sales. Based in the United States, Craig will lead Grass Valley's glob...
08/06/2026
SMPTE has announced its summer 2026 education lineup covering IP networking and SMPTE ST 2110, including two standalone courses, a 13-week boot camp, and a hand...
08/06/2026
Sportradar Group AG has announced a multi-year global agreement with Kalshi, a p...
08/06/2026
FIFA and Gamefam have announced the launch of a FIFA World Cup 2026 event on Roblox, running June 5 through July 31, 2026. The event centers on FIFA Super Socce...
08/06/2026
A collaboration of NHL Productions, Monumental Sports, and Michael Levitt Produc...
08/06/2026
CBS Sports production staffer Bryce Adair has died at the age of 31 after sustaining injuries during a car accident on Wednesday while in Ohio working the the P...
08/06/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...
08/06/2026
WMT Digital today announced the launch of WMT Fan Intelligence, designed to unif...
08/06/2026
The Heat are the seventh NBA team to air their games over-the-air next season...
08/06/2026
Paramount and UFC have announced an expansion of their media rights partnership making Paramount the exclusive home of UFC Numbered Event main cards in Canada ...
08/06/2026
The Qatar Football Association (QFA), in cooperation with Sponix and broadcaster...
08/06/2026
Project B has announced the appointment of Host Broadcast Services (HBS) as Offi...
08/06/2026
The Buckeyes now produce and stream upwards of 200 sports events annually with a...
08/06/2026
At Spotify, our commitment to the LGBTQIA community is year-round. Through GLOW, our global music program, we celebrate and amplify the contributions of queer ...
08/06/2026
Get Hands-on With Keyboard & Synth Brands
GearExpo UK wouldn't be complete without some synth action, and we've got some of the industry's most ...
08/06/2026
50 popular in-ear monitoring system profiles added
The latest update for IK Multimedia's headphone-correction system has just arrived, and introduces ca...
08/06/2026
Manny Marroquin signature cans upgraded with SLAM Technology
The flagship model in Audeze's Manny Marroquin Signature Series has just been treated to an...
08/06/2026
Air domain supremacy redefined - New counter UAS, space solutions and directiona...
08/06/2026
he BBC and BritBox have announced that Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My ...
08/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/06/2026
Dante interfaces, intercom and control systems for modern AV environments
Glensound will showcase a focused range of networked audio and intercom solutions fo...
08/06/2026
Bminty is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of T18, the new free national French DTT channel launched on June 6, 2025. This symbolic milestone also marks...
08/06/2026
DaVinci Resolve Used For Global Collaboration on Tony Foster Documentary
Brie Clayton June 8, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio and Blackmagic Cl...
08/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/06/2026
Plus, 20% off TVs ahead of kick-offMonday 8 June 2026
Sky introduces Real Time...
08/06/2026
FOX Secures Live NFL Game Package in Mexico Starting in Fall 2026 Agreement Features Thursday Night Football, Sunday Games Package, Thanksgiving Day Games, al...
13 January, 2021
