Communications Crossroads - Spring 2008 - (Page 9)

THE PROGRESS & THE PROSPECTS By Amy Drew Thompson It’s almost trite, at this point, to recall 2007—or any previous year—as a big year for technology. These days, engineers and architects in every arena are generating updates at lightning speed, turning state-of-the-art equipment into obsolete relics on a near quarterly basis. The telecommunications industry—and more specifically IPTV—is no exception to this modern evolutionary rule. So what is the latest in IPTV? The experts we spoke with agreed that while the phrase hasn’t reached that household-name status just yet, the tipping point—as marketing and positive word-of-mouth converge with maturing and more cost-effective technology— could be looming just around the bend. “What’s exciting is that IPTV and MPEG4—the kinds of services people have been talking about for so long—are now commercial,” says Bill Squadron, president, IP PRIME for SES Americom, in Princeton, NJ. “It’s in people’s homes. It works. And many of the issues that have challenged the engineers and operations have been successfully addressed.” Such issues, says Squadron, were present in all areas of operation, from development and programming to inter-compatibility and integration. “And one thing I’d single-out is that all of this had to be done in a manner consistent with a network conﬁguration suitable for delivery of MPEG4 and IPTV.” It seems obvious, except for the fact that virtually every network throughout the country is at its own stage. “There are different levels of connectivity and service for each particular telephone company and those issues have to be addressed before a service can be smoothly delivered.” Despite challenges, SES and its afﬁliates are rolling out with the core American households—in diverse locations including Steele, North Dakota, and Mayﬁeld, Kentucky. “And the people watching in their living rooms are stunned at the quality of the video even on their standard channels,” he says. “Penetration has been spreading not because of any unbelievable promotional offers or marketing campaigns. It’s just word-of-mouth.” Spring 2008 COMMUNICATIONS CROSSROADS 9

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Communications Crossroads - Spring 2008

Communications Crossroads - Spring 2008 Up Front Contents TeleBites Cover Story: IPTV Technology Today: Network Transitioning: It’s Not a Matter of If, but How Business Advantages: Turning Knowledge and Growth into Profit and Success Industry Calendar Advertisers DotCom Index to Advertisers Straight Talk

Communications Crossroads - Spring 2008

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