What Is Internet Protocol Television?
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is an up-and-coming way to deliver television programming to your set at home. IPTV.pro describes the technology as "revolutionary" and goes on to explain that "IPTV breaks all the rules, and shatters the finite boundaries of broadcast, satellite and cable television as we know it, it decentralizes power, eliminates corporate, government and political controls and puts the consumer in command of... content."
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History
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Although Internet Protocol TV is not new, IPTV.pro explains that "it has been a long time coming... We have reached the threshold where it has become a viable platform for the delivery of high-quality video in ways never possible before."
The term was coined in 1995 when software company Precept developed their IP/TV application to provide streaming and live video content via Internet Protocol. During the next few years, other companies would also experiment with continuous live webcasts, for instance AudioNet, which broadcast content from the television station WFAA-TV.
In 2002, Canadian company SaskTel began offering IPTV solutions for commercial use. Companies such as Total Access Networks Inc., Bredbandsbolaget and Telia followed suit over the next few years. AT&T launched its Internet Protocol TV service called U-Verse in 2006. As of March 2009, AT&T has provided over 100 high-definition channels to its customers in the United States, via IPTV.
Growth
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Internet Protocol TV continues to grow in the United States as well as countries such as Germany, France and Hong Kong. According to DSLReports.com, even companies such as Time Warner that currently provides cable and Internet services to customers may be experimenting with IPTV. The site explains that "Time Warner Cable is conducting trials of Microsoft's Mediaroom IPTV platform, which also sits at the heart of several other IPTV efforts--including AT&T's U-Verse and Surewest's IPTV service."
Furthermore, the results of a survey by Multimedia Research Group imply that global IPTV will "grow from USD (United States Dollars) $12 billion in 2009 up to USD $38 billion in 2013 (compound annual growth rate of 33 percent)" with an increase in subscribers from "28 million in 2009 to 83 million in 2013."
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Equipment
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Many IPTV customers access their television content through a set-top box and remote control, similar to cable or satellite boxes. Services such as GOTV provide customers with a keyboard as well.
Benefits
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Technology Marketing Corporation explains on their website that you can use Internet Protocol TV as long as you already have an existing broadband (cable or DSL) Internet connection. You can frequently purchase IPTV in packages with other IP-based services such as Voice-Over-IP telephone and Internet service. Bundle options, like those provided by AT&T, may be more affordable than separate service packages.
Because it remains on the IPTV provider's server until the customer requests the content, your choices are not restricted by delivery method (for instance, the size of the wire into the home) as with cable or satellite. IP television also offers more interactivity than traditional television content systems. An article in the Economic Times from November 27, 2006, explains that, "viewers may be able to look up a player's history while watching a game" as one example of interactivity.
Limits
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Internet Protocol television relies on an efficient Internet connection and may experience delays if the connection is not fast enough.
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References
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