With the Internet protocol television market (IPTV) gaining additional traction in the United States, direct-to-home satellite television service providers may be forced to find new partners to help them compete in the triple-play market. Telcos providing voice and data services have been using DTH to fill the video portion of the triple-play offering, but those telcos may now find the new IPTV service a more attractive option in filling the video component.

NDS Group plc and WiNetworks are working together to allow WiMAX technology (a wireless wide area network technology that offers broadband connectivity over a range of about 30 miles from the access point) to step up and fill the role for DTH companies that could be vacated by the telcos.

The first key technical issue this partnership will address is securing an always-on return path. DTH “is lacking the return path capabilities that cable operators have,” Gadi Tirosh, vice president of product development at NDS, told Satellite News. The return path is a key part to offering services such as ordering pay-per-view services from the remote control or offering advanced interactive services in the future and the highly sought video on demand service (VoD). DTH set-top boxes typically have a telephone modem installed to provide return-path capabilities.

The first part of two-way communications comes from NDS’ Xspace solution. The solution, according to the company’s Web site, is an integrated, single set-top box that extends network infrastructure using a dual radio frequency/Internet protocol delivery channel.

“Xspace is about hybrid set-top boxes that have both satellite and broadband connections and the kind of applications that you can enable once you put those two things together,” Tirosh said.

Deployment Challenges

Getting the set-top box technology to work is only part of the equation. The bigger question looming is when will networks be sufficiently deployed to enable using WiMAX as a triple-play offering

“There are no definite answers yet” regarding deployment of networks, Tirosh said, though WiMAX is getting attention from top technology vendors. Nortel disclosed Sept. 14 plans to offer industry standards-based fixed and mobile WiMAX broadband products in cooperation with development activities at Intel and Airspan Networks.

Nortel is collaborating with Intel’s Broadband Wireless Division to promote deployment of wireless broadband based on WiMAX, and Nortel will work with Airspan to market and evolve WiMAX solutions in high-frequency bands for implementations that do not require full mobility and where access via cable or digital subscriber line may not be available. Nortel’s optical-backhaul technology, data-networking solutions and suite of wireless services will be integrated with Airspan’s WiMAX base transceiver stations and subscriber terminals.

As the networks come to market, Tirosh suggested two scenarios where DTH providers will implement WiMAX: through partnerships with dedicated WiMAX providers or through rolling out their own networks.

“WiNetworks figured out that using existing [DTH] installations, they can put the outdoor unit on top of the satellite dish and then route the transmission into the home though the cable that connects the satellite dish to the home set-top box,” Tirosh said. This makes deployment by DTH operators a possibility. “That creates mesh networks where every outdoor unit connects with each other and improves the reception of all sites, creating a more robust network. We can actually implement VOD services and other applications.”

Once the technology is ready for deployment, other issue that will need to be addressed are cost issues related to network deployment (if the DTH providers build out their own networks) and the cost of equipment. “When you get to a metropolitan area, the coverage will require more base stations,” Tirosh, though how many has not been determined. “Companies are still experimenting with the amount of base stations” to help determine the investment needed to roll out a WiMAX network.

“In addition to that, the WiMAX modems are still quite expensive as they still build on proprietary solutions,” Tirosh said, adding that Intel has a standards-based chip on they way. Once the prices come down, it will be easier to integrate the WiMAX modem into the set-top box itself in a cost effective manner, Tirosh said.

–Gregory Twachtman