IPTV's next big target

Ericsson is now in the IPTV business, and though it may be a latecomer, it might just have a few interesting twists to bring to the table. Ericsson isn't exactly the name that pops to mind when thinking of wireline access networks in the U.S., but it is definitely the undisputed king of global wireless networks. So to set itself apart from the first movers in the IPTV arena, Ericsson spicing up its IPTV solution with IMS.

Ericsson claims to have 19 IMS architecture contracts globally today, among them a systems integration contract with Sprint, giving it added incentive to meld any new wireline service it produces with its core wireless infrastructure. Ericsson seems to be doing just that, announcing not only back-end interfaces to its IMS platform, but incorporating cross-network video services that could allow a customer to take his home TV package out on the road.

To demonstrate that concept, Ericsson joined with its long-time handset partner Sony to put together a proof-of-concept, IMS-powered IPTV service at Globalcomm. Using Digital Living Networking Alliance technology to connect a TV with a media server, which was in turn connected to a SIP IMS gateway, Sony and Ericsson were able to ship programming alerts from home to handset and redirect programming from the IP head-end to a UMTS handset.

Sony and Ericsson said that the demo was not much more than a one-off project to put a substantive face on video over IMS, so there are no specific plans for future collaboration. The demo may have only been a proof of concept, but the concept is important all of the same. The IP in IPTV implies TV is no longer bound to the set-top box and home TV screen. By its very nature, an IP video should be available over any device with an IP connection. Such converged services are likely still far off, and I don't envy the service provider that has to sort out the pricing for such a service, but it's definitely something to start thinking about.

Contact me at kfitchard@prismb2b.com.