CONNECTIONS Europe features service providers, wireless solutions providers, CE and content management experts

The composition of the connected home will shift dramatically in the next five years, with connected consumer electronics and mobile devices (mainly smartphones and tablet computers) comprising 80% of the seven billion connected nodes worldwide by 2015. This changing landscape is the main focus of the CONNECTIONS™ Europe conference, November 15-16 in Amsterdam.

CONNECTIONS™ Europe sponsors include the companies leading the development and deployment of new solutions to enhance the digital lifestyle.

Accedo Broadband is a leading provider of applications for IPTV and Connected TV.

ActiveVideo Networks intelligently streams Web-infused television to any STB or Web-connected CE device.

Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) provides set-top solutions to the worldwide digital television industry.

Gigle Networks provides System-on-Chip (SoC) integrated circuits and complete system solutions for multimedia home networking.

Latens is leading the way in IPTV and fully DVB®-compliant software Conditional Access and Middleware.

PacketVideo’s software facilitates the sharing and enjoyment of media wherever it is stored, by converging devices, applications, and services.

ProVision Communications delivers high-quality video reliably over wireless and works with leading pay-TV service providers and CE manufacturers.

Radialpoint helps the world’s largest ISP, Retail, OEM and other Consumer Technology Providers meet and monetize the growing consumer need for technology advice and assistance.

Ralink Technology Corporation is a leading innovator and developer of wireless chipset solutions recognized for superior throughput, extended range, low-power consumption and consistent reliability.

Virgin Media is the U.K.'s first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next-generation ultrafast Internet access of up to 50 MB.

Zeitera is leading the emerging market for intelligent content recognition solutions and will demonstrate advanced content recognition technologies and different applications for interactive television, advanced advertising, and immersive social networking.

For more information, visit http://www.connectionseurope.com.

Connected lifestyle management services: Affinegy

Why it's Fierce: Affinegy developed a suite of software applications, the DigiDo Platform, that move across the service provider's customer care center, business office and into consumer homes to enable and manage a number of connected devices and help the operators keep track of what's going on through the widely connected portions of their networks.

In short, the technology is on hand to help operators exploit accelerating IP convergence trends by delivering real-time information about customer networks that can be used by care agents to understand and solve individual and network problems.

The software received an endorsement from Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst of Parks Associates who pointed out that "assistance with home technologies, including PCs, home networks and AV equipment is the top value-added service that a broadband provider can delver."

To read the full article, please click here.

State of the Worldwide Digital Television Market

The global market for television services continues to grow despite persistent economic challenges throughout the world. Most of this growth is occurring in digital technologies, with digital terrestrial and cable services supplanting their analog counterparts while IPTV providers fight to increase their piece of the television services pie.

Increased awareness of what is possible on the TV has driven consumer interest in these services, and competition has caused many providers around the globe to evaluate and introduce advanced TV features that leverage digital technologies. Companies in developed nations, including North America and Europe, are rolling out on-demand, interactive, and time/place-shifting offerings. Several providers in emerging markets, such as China and India, are working on digitalization of their services, and they are exploring the new features made possible by this technological shift.

To read more about the State of the Worldwide Digital Television Market, subscribe to Parks Associates' European Research Update Newsletter.

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BT Collaborates With Cisco To Deliver Online Video Platform

British Telecommunications Wholesale has announced it has chosen Cisco's Content Delivery System as the 'backbone' for its, open online video delivery network - Content Connect - designed to improve the experience of watching and listening to digital content on the web.

The Cisco Content Delivery System (CDS) using medianet technologies enables BT Wholesale to establish broadband as a TV platform. Content Connect will deliver digital content to any computer, TV or mobile device on behalf of UK internet service providers giving broadcasters access to a large end user base – irrespective of service provider or technology.

Media groups already use content delivery networks but in many cases these services only reach the edge of the ISP network, with the final stage delivered 'over the top' with no guarantees on the quality of service. The collaboration with Cisco helps ensure that BT's next generation Content Connect platform can cache content deep in the broadband network and so deliver it much closer to the end user – avoiding congested areas of the network. This, in turn, enables broadcasters to provide video content – and in the future live TV - with an assured level of service all the way to the viewer, providing uninterrupted access even at peak times. This provides broadcasters with the predictable user experience critical to supporting advertising or pay models.

Based on Cisco CDS, BT Wholesale's Content Connect service can offer a UK-wide service with quality of service (QoS) assurance and detailed reporting and analytics on how the customers' content is being consumed. CDS also enables customers using BT Wholesale's platform to monitor network status, and a broad array of details about the broadband user experience – all available on a single portal-based view. And, security concerns are reduced as content delivery will take place within a private network, avoiding the internet altogether.

Affinegy Sponsors CONNECTIONS 2011

Parks Associates is proud to announce that Affinegy as a Gold 2011 CONNECTIONS Sponsor.

Affinegy provides software solutions that enable seamless connectivity between consumers, their devices and their content, whether inside or outside the home. Leading service providers, consumer equipment vendors, and ISVs offer Affinegy solutions to their customers as the control point for their connected home experience. Deployed in nearly 5 million households, Affinegy solutions increase product and service adoption, slash inbound support costs, and provide an open architecture for delivering new value-added services for the consumer digital lifestyle.

Thank you Affinegy for your continued support of our events!

For more information about Affinegy and their seamless solutions for your digital lifestyle, please visit www.affinegy.com.

Can Traditional TV Operators Embrace OTT Video as a Service?

There is an assumption by many market pundits today that the service operators in the world of Internet TV services and that of traditional pay-TV are totally disjointed. We think this is rather too simplistic.

Just like the world of e-commerce in the early generations of Internet, the shift of consumption did not totally upend the value of existing brands and consumer loyalties. A few new players emerged for sure, but by and large, the brick and mortar brands have become just as prominent on the Internet as they are on Main Street – the power of branding transcends the medium.

When you apply this logic to video, the service operators that make the leap to multi-screen delivery can indeed be the same names that dominate the pay-TV market in cable, satellite and IPTV today. They have the content, the subscriber relationships and the scale to make service delivery compelling whatever the physical distribution network, and in many cases they also provide Internet connectivity.

The challenge for existing operators is that this requires a fundamental shift in the way they think. Progressive digital TV operators may have to embrace novel technologies that have been designed to effectively scale and solve IP video issues and apply them over their delivery networks. By integrating OTT and adaptive rate streaming technology with pay-TV services, operators can enhance ARPU, subscriber loyalty and lure incremental advertising dollars.

This convergence of technologies also must encompass a proactive revenue protection and enhancement approach that enables digital TV operators to cast a much wider net with their service offerings. This shifts the central value proposition for the digital video enterprise beyond that of content protection alone, towards the broader perspective of revenue security.

Download Verimatrix's white paper, Pay-TV at an Inflection Point, and let us know if you agree.

Submitted from Verimatrix.

The Latest OTT Opportunity: Connected TV

Of all the new Internet TV delivery options, the connected TV is especially interesting to service operators: It’s already front and center in the living room, there is perhaps no expensive STB required, it features an already integrated remote control and has the potential for high-quality presentation without distortion or noise from connecting cables.

On the other hand, today’s connected TVs are fundamentally constrained by proprietary interfaces, wholly proprietary aggregation portals and simplistic navigational schemes. Limited or no storage means streaming-only presentation of content.

Our current feeling is that the Internet-connected TVs are primarily an aspect of a features game in a highly competitive consumer electronics market and is one of the options least likely to be exploited for premium video delivery services. The more likely scenario will be facilitated via connected devices such as Blu-ray players game consoles and last but not least via STBs, although these may take on a new identities such as whole home DVRs, media gateways, etc.

It is possible that connectivity may be used to blend the TV and Web experiences together. Operators can choose to make this happen on a TV using overlay or screen sharing applications, such as calling up an actor’s Twitter feed while watching his performance.

But given that living room viewing is a shared experience, it may be more realistic to see TV supplemented by other more personal phone or pad devices with better user input capabilities to provide such interactivity. I can attest with my own family’s habits, that it has become more normal for viewers to watch TV while working on their connected laptop!

I presented last week at the TV 3.0 – Future of TV conference (co-located with @DisplayWeek) . I was surprised to hear that nearly 20% of TVs shipped in 2010 will be network‐enabled, which is projected to reach about 60% in 2013!

And we are experiencing some interest from CE manufacturers to embed software-based security technology directly into these next-generation TVs.

Nonetheless, I came back with the opinion that STBs are not going away anytime soon. The issue (and cost) of customer support needs to rest with the operator who ultimately owns the quality of experience.

Submitted from Steve Oetegenn, Verimatrix.

Service providers must adjust strategies as consumers turn to alternate sources for video & online media

Key industry executives will address recent shifts in consumer video and online viewing habits at CONNECTIONS™: The Digital Living Conference & Showcase. These changes in consumer behavior are forcing service providers to expand and enhance their business strategies for connected CE, online video, and other value-added services.

Nearly 20% of U.S. broadband households have a PC-to-TV connection, and the vast majority is using this DIY solution to stream online video.

Over one-half of U.S. households don’t know their broadband speed. Broadband has become a commodity, and service providers are in a position where they have to talk about additional services, including TV Everywhere and tech support. It can be a difficult transition, but they are in an excellent position to leverage their existing customer relationships and take the lead in the digital living ecosystem.

CONNECTIONS™ is the premier event for research and analysis of connected home technologies and digital living solutions, including multiple speakers and attendees representing service providers and their partners.

The conference features sessions on evolving carrier strategies and service and partnership opportunities in response to new consumer behaviors and connected CE:

Expanding Consumers’ Digital Media Choices

Monetizing Connected CE

TV and Online Video Advertising Metrics

Trends in User Interfaces

3DTV

Service Provider Innovation

The Future of the Set-top Box

TV Everywhere and Online Video

For more information about the CONNECTIONS Conference, visit www.connectionsus.com.

Telcordia Next Generation Service Delivery & Charging Solution Nominated for Award

Telcordia Delivers Performance Demanded by Mission-Critical Telecom Applications

Telcordia announced its Service Delivery & Charging Suite, currently deployed by more than 35 mobile operators worldwide, is a nominee for the Global Mobile Awards in the Best Billing or Customer Care Solution category.

The Telcordia Service Delivery & Charging Suite includes products, solutions and hosted services that enable Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to quickly differentiate themselves in hyper-competitive and hyper-growth markets with innovative service offerings. The suite has been widely adopted across the globe, by CSPs such as Tata Teleservices India, Uninor India, Aircel India, Oi Brazil, Orange UK, Chunghwa and Swisscom. The suite includes the Telcordia® Real-Time Charging solution.

The Telcordia Service Delivery & Charging Suite provides a service-creation environment that enables innovative service differentiation for mobile, fixed, cable and convergent networks; a telecom application server to run next generation prepaid and converged charging; pre-built services including bandwidth management , personalized advertising and mobile business applications; a carrier-proven SIP server designed for convergent networks; and a large scale in-memory subscriber database that holds customer accounts and policies with a proven architecture that scales to hundreds of millions of subscribers.

For more information about Telcordia, visit www.telcordia.com.

"Connected Europe: By the Numbers," follow up from CONN EU Amsterdam

Kurt Scherf, VP of Research and Principal Analyst of Parks Associates presented "Connected Europe: By the Numbers" at the CONNECTIONS Europe Summit held November 4th in Amsterdam.

Kurt discussed the scope of Parks Associates research in the digital home and particularly in Europe. The past 18 – 24 months have brought strong development of connected CE devices such as TVs and Blu-ray players – large percentage of these devices are now connected. The role of the service provider is critical with providing the links to content and serving as gateway to premium content (BBC iPlayer, Verizon’s OTT offerings).

Residential Gateways are becoming increasingly important, with the other 50% of installations featuring an RG. For consumers, advantages are monitoring and basic applications. The presence of an RG rates highly with customer satisfaction with service provider services. Important RG services include the following: support, security, warranty services, and online backup. There are large opportunities for service provides who offer total home network support.

Things to watch in the Connected CE space include: the role of service providers in driving home network architecture; cloud media and home content brought together; design of user interfaces; integration of web services; role of CE companies at offering services; and evolution of content protection.

MTS Allstream Selects Actiontec Electronics for High-Speed DSL Products

Actiontec Electronics announced that two of its DSL solutions have been selected to power MTS Allstream Inc.'s ("MTS Allstream") high-speed residential DSL service. A wholly owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services, MTS Allstream is one of Canada's leading national communication solutions providers.

Actiontec Electronics has shipped more than 17.5 million Internet access devices across the globe. Since launching its initial DSL modem to the market, Actiontec has continued to stay in the forefront of industry standards, DSL and home networking technologies. The company's experience in modem design and supply-chain process delivers great value and affordability to carriers and access providers.

MTS Allstream selected Actiontec's GT724WG 54 Mbps Wireless DSL Gateway and the GT701D USB/Ethernet DSL Modem. The GT724WG combines a full-rate ADSL2+ modem, a 4 port Ethernet switch and 802.11g wireless gateway in a sleek, easy-to-use package. Support for the ADSL2/2+ standard can triple the available bandwidth from 8 Mbps to 24 Mbps -- giving bandwidth-hungry consumers the speed needed to enjoy fast downloads, online entertainment, high quality video streams, and online gaming. The gateway also includes an Internet firewall with four user-configurable protection levels, as well as WEP security to protect the home network from outside threats.

With an ENERGY STAR adapter and small footprint, the green GT701D helps customers reduce their energy bills and protect the environment. The compact device combines a full-rate ADSL2/2+ modem with a router capable of networking two computers via wired ports, or more through a switch or hub.

CONNECTIONS Summit at CES Agenda

CES is about making business connections, and CONNECTIONS Summit is the ideal place to start. This information-packed networking event features presentations of the latest consumer and industry research, forecasts, and panel discussions moderated by Parks Associates. You’ll hear commentary, insight, and debate from industry executives and analysts on connected CE, video services and advertising, energy management, mobile convergence, and more. Then unwind at the evening reception, where you can network with existing and prospective partners.

View Agenda
- Consumer Electronics Purchases: Are Consumers Back in the Buying Mood?
- The Connected TV – Displays and Beyond
- Service Provider Strategies for the Connected Home
- The Mobile Aspect of Unified Infotainment: Opportunities and Challenges
- Advances in Television Advertising
- Bringing the Smart Grid to the Smart Home
- 3D: Adding New Dimensions to Entertainment

Tata Teleservices Expands Telcordia Relationship to Provide Real-Time Charging on its GSM Network

When Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL), India's fastest growing pan-India dual-technology telecom service provider, was looking to launch its GSM-based prepaid service offerings in the rapidly growing Indian market, it selected Telcordia, a leading global provider of communications network software and services for IP, wireline, wireless and cable. Just a few months later, the Telcordia solution was implemented, enabling TTSL to launch its innovative and exciting prepaid offerings on its new GSM Network.

Presently, Tata Teleservices relies on Telcordia® Real-Time Charging to deliver a highly scalable, reliable and cost-effective real-time charging solution for its nearly 40 million CDMA subscribers.

India is experiencing an unprecedented rate of subscriber growth, especially in the prepaid market, and the challenge for communications service providers (CSPs) is to attract new subscribers, retaining existing ones and increasing service use to boost revenue. As such, there is a greater need for CSPs to differentiate their service offerings by providing relevant, interactive and personalized services. Telcordia Real-Time Charging makes it easy to create and deploy customer-specific rules for rating, discounting and promotions, and enables CSPs to differentiate their service offerings and personalize the telecom experience for its customers.

For more information about Telcordia's presence in India, click here.

Service providers boost subscriber satisfaction with bundled services and connected home strategies

A new white paper from Parks Associates finds households with bundles and home network solutions supplied by their service provider are more satisfied with their broadband service and more receptive to value-added services.

Broadband providers can achieve 15% higher customer satisfaction through connected home strategies that include service bundles and value-added services such as premium technical support.

Broadband Services: The Turning Point, the new white paper from Parks Associates, reports subscribers with a triple-play bundle exceed the national average for satisfaction with broadband services. Premium entertainment services, premium technical support, and provider-deployed home networks also have an immediate and positive impact on customer satisfaction and create a foundation for future service enhancements and higher ARPU.

Broadband Services: The Turning Point examines the evolution of broadband services and provides primary consumer data of U.S. broadband households, including current penetration of bundled services, consumer interest in a variety of broadband value-added services, and the impact of VAS on customer satisfaction.

Parks Associates’ upcoming project Broadband, Communications, and Entertainment Bundles examines the consumer selection process for communications and entertainment services.

ActiveVideo Networks Acquires Avinity Systems, Creates Powerful InteractivePlatform to Redefine iTV on Global Scale

ActiveVideo Networks announced at the end of May that it has reached an agreement to acquire Avinity Systems BV, bringing together the two leading providers of cloud-based interactive TV platforms and applications, and expanding the reach and availability of the Web-based user experiences that are redefining interactive television (iTV 2.0).

The transaction strengthens ActiveVideo Networks' technology and application offerings and creates a global leader in the fast-growing market for delivery of cloud-based services to televisions around the world. The acquisition combines two companies that will have deployed interactive services to more than five million homes worldwide by the end of 2009. Post-acquisition, ActiveVideo Networks will have publicly-disclosed deployments with a wide variety of service providers, including Oceanic Time Warner Cable and Grande Communications in the United States; Tele2 and Reggefiber in Europe; and PCCW in Hong Kong.

ActiveVideo Networks and Avinity have consistently advocated that the future of content delivery -- including VoD navigation, Web-based video, interactive advertising and other services -- will be driven by server-based technologies. Both platforms use an ultra-thin client in the set-top box to pass user keystrokes to servers in the network. The servers create compressed videostreams in response to user interaction and unicast them over IP or cable back to the home to be decoded and displayed by the set-top box. When combined,the ActiveVideo and Avinity RenderCast platforms will be capable of delivering Web-like personalization and interactivity to a worldwidetelevision audience through both legacy and next generation digital set-topboxes and broadband-connected devices.

To view the full press release, click here.

SupportSoft Releases Download Manager to Automate Installation and Upgrade of Value-Added Services

New Software Solution Makes It Simple and Efficient for Service Providers to Deliver the Latest PC and Digital Home Enhancements--

SupportSoft, Inc., a provider of software and services that make technology work, announced the availability of SupportSoft Download Manager. This latest solution is designed to enable digital and managed service providers to automatically present value-added services based on their users’ context; then download, install and update these new services behind the scenes via the Internet. As a result, service fulfillment can be more efficient for the provider and hassle-free for customers.

Getting new and innovative service offerings up and running—whether it’s the latest music or video download; storage or security enhancement; or file and print sharing capability—can be disruptive for users. Issues such as saturated bandwidth, a never-ending software download process, and worry about whether the service is working correctly are enough to make customers delay an important upgrade.

Based on SupportSoft’s scalable ‘sync’, authoring and targeting technology, Download Manager is a proactive delivery and support platform that ensures providers can distribute their latest software service in a personalized fashion, then successfully activate and manage the new service to suit the customer’s needs. The solution helps service providers to optimize download performance, simplify software downloads, and assess end-user download behavior. Because of the faster, more seamless installation process, subscribers are likely to be more satisfied with the use of their new service, and providers can make additional offers and generate new revenue.

For customers ordering a new service, Download Manager quickly and quietly downloads and installs the components – with accuracy and without interruption. The solution does everything from start to finish, all without dominating bandwidth or forcing customers to stop what they’re doing. And once the service is installed, it’s easy for the service provider to monitor and determine when an upgrade or additional capability is appropriate. They can continuously deliver tools and applications that enhance the subscriber’s service experience and mitigate expensive and unnecessary calls to the support center.

For the full press release, click here.

Revenues for Professional Tech Support to exceed $2 Billion by 2013

Parks Associates finds consumer use of tech support tripled since 2006, creating opportunities for service providers, retailers, and third-party providers --

The number of U.S. broadband households seeking professional services for computer and networking problems has tripled since 2006, as more users lack the time and expertise to deal with the complications of today’s technology, according to Customer Support in the Digital Home.

This 2009 consumer survey from international research firm Parks Associates reports more than 30% of consumers have used in-store or in-home technical support to solve a computer problem, up from 10% in 2006. Fifteen percent of consumers have used professional tech support for home networking problems, up from 6% in 2006. Parks Associates forecasts U.S. revenues for PC and home networking troubleshooting services will exceed $2 billion due in large part to growing consumer demand and increased prevalence of connected devices.

Customer Support in the Digital Home reports that service providers can enhance their service portfolios through such offerings as managed security, enhanced technical support, and online backup. Value retailers can enhance their standing by creating service programs that go beyond extended warranties to include ongoing support for purchased and installed products.

Customer Support in the Digital Home is a 2009 survey of over 2,000 U.S. broadband households. It covers the following topics:

• Analysis of tech support experiences and services from service providers

• Tech support features at the time of a consumer electronics purchase

• Consumer experience and interest in tech support services that include enhanced Internet security, online backup, home computer, and home networking

• Consumer interest in new, emerging home networking features

The CONNECTIONS™ conference, June 2-4, features a Support and Management track, including the panel Remote Technical Support.

For registration, or to request a press pass, visit http://www.connectionsconference.com/.

Digital Lifestyles and the Service Provider

Service providers face issues brought on by the economic and housing crisis, slowing subscriber growth, and increased competition – where the right combination of services or the wrong pricing dynamics can woo subscribers from one carrier to the next. Although service providers’ priorities have been consistent over time, the steps necessary to fulfill them have changed.

CONNECTIONS™ addresses the major priorities, opportunities, and challenges for service providers in a new white paper, written by research firm Parks Associates, Digital Lifestyles and the Service Provider.

SureWest Communications CTO to Keynote TES@CONNECTIONS

Pivot Media announced that Bill DeMuth, Chief Technology Officer, SureWest Communications will participate as the Keynote speaker at the Telecom Executive Summit@CONNECTIONS. The pre-show summit will be hosted on Tuesday, June 2 prior to the opening sessions at CONNECTIONS.

Following the Keynote, a session will be hosted:

All Things Digital Service Provider Panel

Service provider thought leaders share their own experiences in managing the transition of taking traditional telcos into the digital age. This panel will highlight service provider strategies for maximizing the digital opportunity in telecom today and tomorrow. Hear first hand from the carriers who are embracing their digital future and executing against it.

Topics for discussion will include:

- How to engage digital customers for higher ARPU
- Implementing a ‘digital culture’
- Successfully managing a digital product portfolio
- Lessons learned from the new digital frontier

Click here for more information.

Parks Associates addresses Connected CE, Digital Home Support, Controls, and Advanced Media and Services at CONNECTIONS

This year’s CONNECTIONS™: The Digital Living Conference & Showcase, hosted by international research firm Parks Associates, will focus on entertainment services, digital home support services, energy management, and advanced networking concepts.

The 13th annual CONNECTIONS™, taking place June 2-4, 2009, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, will feature interactive panels with over 80 speakers and consumer and industry research presented by Parks Associates’ expert analysts. This event attracts senior executives from industries associated with the digital home, new media and content distribution, and mobile applications and services.

CONNECTIONS™ will open with the keynote presentation Embedding Wireless in Consumer Electronics, featuring Glenn Lurie, President of Emerging Devices and Resale for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. Conference sessions focus on four primary tracks while maintaining the broad industry overview necessary to capture all opportunities that exist in these complex, interconnected markets.

Main Sessions
>> New Connectivity, Services, Opportunities
>> Marriage of Online Video to CE
>> Entertainment 2.0
>> Connected TV Strategies
>> Truth in Networking, hosted by MoCA
>> Bringing the Smart Grid to the Smart Home
>> Building the Holistic Support Environment
>> What’s coming next?, a special venture capitalist session

Tracks and sessions include:

Content & Services
>> TV 2.0 – The Future of the Set-Top Box
>> WebTV: Extreme TV Makeover?
>> Interactive Services: Engaging the Consumer
>> Making the Ad Models Work
>> Multimedia on Mobile Devices

Connected CE
>> Extending the Reach of Wired Networks/Interfaces
>> Bringing “Cloud Media” to CE Devices

Support & Management
>> Driving the Next Dollar: The Role of VAS
>> Service Provider Home Networking Strategies: RGs and Services
>> Remote Technical Support

Home Controls
>> New Applications and Services in Home Management & Controls
>> Wireless Home Controls: New Roles and Functionality

CONNECTIONS™ also features three pre-show events on June 2, including a strategic workshop featuring Parks Associates’ expert analysts; the Telecom Executive Summit: Digital DNA for Service Providers, hosted by Pivot Media; and an open house hosted by Jetro.