Rather than deny access to peer-to-peer networks, operators are looking to embrace individual providers. Julian Clover reports from the C-Cor Global IP Summit
There’s an interesting side plot to the rollout of digital cable and IPTV services. One of the key planks of the triple play proposition is broadband, and by offering high-speed internet access, the door is being opened to people like Joost and Babelgum that arguably compete with the TV side of the triangle.
We spoke last week about the pressure that peer-to-peer operations can place on a broadband network and this was emphasised by speakers at this week’s C-Cor Global IP Summit in Cannes. Marwan Fawaz, CTO of the US cablenet Charter Communications said that peer-to-peer had been responsible for a 50% growth in IP traffic over the past few years. The danger is that it is not sustainable to keep to the speeds being offered on Joost. “It’s not the operators job to decide what should be used on our network. It’s not the cable operator’s job to be the gatekeeper.” He said it remained to be seen as to whether Joost would adjust the quality of its video.
Lorenz Glatz, CTO, Kabel Deutschland pointed to the customer relationship and the quality of service guarantee. “We’re not interfering with the traffic, but we are watching what’s happening…how do you get the people from YouTube to the television he asked?
Hervé Payan, Senior Vice President, Content Services, Orange – France Telecom said that peer to peer was responsible for 50% of traffic, but was no longer growing, he said that growth was now coming from streaming. He added a new dimension through the possibility of partnering with some of the services. “We can optimise the network for partners, and work with a few of them to get it right, but if you’re watching a football match on Joost TV you go bananas after two minutes because the quality isn’t there.”
Earlier this year the Cable Europe conference in Amsterdam spoke as to how entertainment should be at the centre of the operator’s proposition. The evidence here is that there should continue to be considerable emphasis on the pipe.
