CableLabs Working on IPTV

CableLabs, the U.S. cable technology organization, has started working on specifications that will define how IPTV can be delivered over DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem technology.

A DOCSIS 3.0 capable hybrid set-top could bond a minimum of four RF channels in the up and down direction. Cable operators could use that pipe to deliver a range of IP based video services and applications using the its faster speeds and its ability to handle IP multicast and unicast. They could deliver long tail video,or download a movie to the set-top box's hard drive.

An IPTV implementation would also give a cable company the ability to provide a personalized mosaic navigation systems because it would not be limited by the number of physical tuners in the device.

CableLabs has not set a schedule for this work yet.

The U.S. cable companies are putting this technology forward as a response to IPTV from the telcos. This is not a quick fix though. There is a considerable amount of technical work that has to be done. It also requires dedicating scarce spectrum to the IPTV service.

The biggest issue is that it will require replacing the subscriber's set-top box. The cable companies will go slow when they deploy these DOCSIS 3.0 services and will use it to retain or win back telco IPTV customers. The cable companies will not want to invest in a wholesale set-top box replacement program.