The arrival of DOCSIS 3.0 is accelerating the possibilities of Cablecos implementing IPTV. IPTV over DOCSIS 3.0 was demonstrated recently at a CableLabs event. Cablecos are interested in IPTV because its switched digital video nature relieves bandwidth constraints on their HFC networks. But at the same time, Cablecos aren’t all that interested in switching out set top boxes, which could be cost prohibitive. Vendors were demonstrating alternative approaches that may help alleviate the set top challenge. IPTV provides telcos certain advantages – advantages they intend to leverage to competitive advantage. But with the arrival of DOCSIS 3.0, maybe not for long.
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