Viewers no longer want a passive TV experience, they expect to be able to watch what they want, when they want to, and to interact with the service and use it to interact with each other.

Start-over-TV, where one user can literally rewind what another user has already watched and start over again, or being able to send a message direct to the TV screen, that displays on top of a program, are typical examples of services gaining acceptance from consumers.

This two-way service is possible with IPTV, which utilizes broadband and IMS technology to provide the functionality that makes personalized TV possible.

IPTV however is also a perfect opportunity for providing digital TV as legacy analog networks are turned off. And with broadband booming across the globe, IPTV becomes a logical addition to service offerings addressing this market.

Ericsson’s flexible and scalable, telecom-grade, end-to-end solution provides everything a service provider needs to start providing IPTV:

• Video Headend
• Middleware
• Content distribution platform
• IPTV network infrastructure
• Conditions access/Digital Rights Management
• TV applications, such as games
• Set-top box integration into the home network
• Quality of service monitoring
• Common functions for charging, provisioning and operation and maintenance.

This telecom-grade solution comprises pre-integrated components to lower operator risk. To support this offering, Ericsson has also developed a customizable IPTV portal that dramatically enhances both the user experience and the service provider’s business opportunities.

The portal provides:

• An electronic program guide giving both available programs and information on the programs
• Video on demand service
• Support for multiple languages
• Time Shift TV, start-over TV and catch-up TV
• Personal video recorder
• Parental control

Ericsson has signed more than 230 IPTV contracts covering end-to-end solutions, integration projects and infrastructure.

The potential for IPTV take up is huge, providing service providers with a unique opportunity to capture a new revenue stream to replace dwindling returns from voice.
As well as generating traffic and revenue from subscriptions, the new functionality provided by IPTV creates interesting business cases for advertising and commerce.


Advertising can be targeted specifically to each user, throughout their experience, replacing the traditional “30-sec spot,” while further revenue is generated by on-demand video and direct selling of merchandise.


And of course, providing a quality, on-demand user service helps service providers differentiate themselves to both attract new customers and retain existing ones.

Ericsson can take a prime integrator role to support service providers to capture this growing, high-revenue market, with a fully integrated, tailored solution, whether from Ericsson or multiple vendors.


Service providers can also utilize Ericsson’s extensive experience in network consulting, systems integration and project management to meet the challenges of seamless network integration, and continue this support throughout the lifecycle of the solution.


Ericsson also offers interoperability testing and verification in a customer reference lab, to make sure set top boxes from multiple vendors work with Ericsson’s solutions, and workshops, contacts and consulting to help service providers access to most attractive content.