Tripping over triple play

The notion of the triple play, the coveted voice/video/data bundle that so many service providers are vying to deliver, is the subject of much discussion lately, particularly as traditional telcos become more plausible video providers and cable operators ramp up their voice efforts. The triple-play concept itself, however, is not new--it's simply one of those long-standing ideas that's now inching toward reality because of network technology that's finally ready to support it.

Like the lingo used to describe many other communications concepts that have been hovering around the industry lexicon for a long time, the expression "triple play" is now being called into question for whether it accurately describes what it's meant to describe. Shouldn't it be "quadruple play," some ask, questioning whether wireless should be added to the voice/video/data lineup? Taking that one step further, others wonder, aren't there actually six services--wireline voice/video/data, and wireless voice/video/data?

I'm guilty of fanning the flames of this dictionary debate myself, albeit in a somewhat different context: In a column last year (which I headlined "The Quadruple Play"), I reasoned that content was an important fourth addition to the bill, and one that would prevent carrier transport networks from being reduced to dumb pipes. I still think content is a critical element, though I'm no longer convinced it can be logically separated from the three overarching categories that comprise the traditional triple play.

What can be done, and what might help resolve the debate about triple-play turns of phrase, is to look at technology and services separately. Yes, some wireless technology platforms promise the ability to support delivery of voice, video, data and so on--so perhaps it's best, then, to look at wireless as a transport method, not a service in itself. That makes even more sense when you take a technology like WiMAX as an example: It's wireless, but not (yet) mobile, and it too promises to support voice, video and data. But again, it's transport--it carries the applications and it isn't one itself.

So rather than altering terms and adding on plays (although I must admit I like the usage of "4play" I've seen tossed around), let's simply say this: The phrase "triple play" will be used as the umbrella descriptor for a broad range of applications that can be carried over any kind of transport technology. It will not apply to the kind of network carrying it--for that, we'll have to be more specific. Sound like a plan?

E-mail me at jmeyers@primediabusiness.com.