New Farncombe White Paper encourages cable operators to embrace OTT and multiscreen

Highlights: Latest white paper details how the imperative to launch multiscreen services drives cable operators to embrace OTT technologies and ultimately an all-IP future; The paper describes a phased approach to all-IP, starting with moving VOD to adaptive bit-rate streaming (ABR); Paper argues that an IP-based unicast ABR approach can also secure new off-net subscribers; Recommends the adoption of a unicast ABR model over multicast IP for linear TV, starting with niche channels

London, 25th March 2013 Leading media technology services provider Farncombe has today published a white paper to help cable operators confront the business and technical challenges they face from emerging OTT services from new entrant video distribution and traditional competition.

Commissioned by NAGRA, a leading provider of security and multiscreen user experience solutions for the monetisation of digital media, the white paper argues that cable operators have little option but to embrace OTT technologies for multiscreen services which will ultimately lead to an all IP-future. It also details how they should adopt a phased approach to the migration process to all-IP, to protect the investment they have made in their HFC infrastructure.

Ideally, this should pursue the following steps, although in practice operators will need to customise this process depending on their individual circumstances:

1) Implement an IP-based ABR unicast approach for new services

2) Move any QAM-based VOD services to OTT and unify back-end management through a single IP Video platform

3) Migrate niche broadcast linear services to IP-based ABR

4) Migrate all linear broadcast services

Many operators fear the growth of cloud-based service providers who can bypass managed networks to sell content directly to their subscribers, said Andrew Glasspool, Managing Partner, Farncombe. The risk for cable operators is that if they do nothing then they will lose business. But making the wrong strategic and technology decisions is equally fraught with risk.

NAGRA accordingly recognises that the process cannot be rushed. While the shift to multiscreen means the ultimate goal of cable operators should be all-IP delivery, says Matthew Huntington, NAGRA VP of Product Marketing, This will be difficult to achieve and take a long time to accomplish given the network upgrades and set-top box replacement required. We foresee a long period where higher viewership broadcast services continue to be delivered to the home via DVB-C alongside a broad range of linear and on-demand IP services.

The new White Paper can be downloaded here after following a simple registration process.

LINK:	http://www.farncombe.com/2013/03/new-farncombe-white-paper-encourages-...
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