3G Handset and Network Design

CHAPTER 20

Network Software Evolution

In the previous chapter we talked briefly about TV network hardware and TV network software, and the parallel development of Web TV and IP TV. The products delivered (TV programs or Web-based content) can either be real time (broadcast when an event happens), near real time (broadcast within a defined time delay—milliseconds, seconds, minutes, or hours after the event), or non-real time. Non-real time includes content that is not event based but, rather, information that is collated and stored to be downloaded on demand at some indeterminate time in the future. Near real time requires buffering. Non-real time requires buffering and long-term storage.

Generically, these networks can be described as media delivery networks. We made the general point that these networks are also able to capture content from subscribers, store that content, and redeliver it back to the originating subscribers and other interested parties—two-way TV.

In this final chapter, we look at service delivery networks—networks that can support a variety of one-way and two-way services. We also want to highlight storage bandwidth as a mechanism for realizing subscriber asset value.

A Look at Converging Industries and Services

We argue that there are six industries presently converging:

• The computer industry
• The consumer electronics industry
• The IT industry
• The wireless industry
• The wireline industry
• The TV industry

The Internet is a point of intersection between these industries. ...