Nokia Siemens reveals next-generation IPTV strategy

12 Nov 2008

Nokia Siemens Networks has unleashed a new strategy aimed at equipping operators providing internet television (IPTV) with the ability to add Web 2.0 apps from third-party developers to their offerings.

The new offering will allow for full User Interface (UI) customisation, flexible third-party application integration and powerful management tools and verification processing.

Operators can differentiate their services and overcome the constraints of proprietary vendor development timelines that are typical in today’s IPTV environment, and leverage a more open model that allows for development by the operator’s own staff, third-party developers or a more open vendor community.

Traditional IPTV development has been a closed exercise, primarily the responsibility of vendors based on proprietary architectures.

Nokia Siemens Networks is offering an intuitive Software Development Kit (SDK) that allows for third-party, customisable UI development on HTML and Java platforms so operators can customise and enhance their offerings themselves.

Nokia Siemens Networks is decoupling the UI layer from the application layer by using ready-to-use building blocks like so-called scriptables and plug-ins, allowing for internet Web 2.0-type applications to integrate within an IPTV system quickly and cost-effectively.

While Nokia Siemens Networks Home Entertainment Release 3.0 brings the fundamentals of an IPTV solution with high-definition television (HDTV), digital video recorder (DVR), video on demand (VOD) and caller ID, it uses open processes to help operators bring their vision of entertainment services to market more quickly and offer differentiation in their service segment.

“Nokia Siemens Networks is fundamentally changing the game in the IPTV ecosystem,” observed Lawrence Brickman, managing director, CloverLeaf Digital, a next-generation media company dedicated to providing interactive TV products and services.

“By allowing independent media application development, companies like ours can develop in an open environment, and we can help operators bring their vision for advanced home entertainment offerings to market more quickly.”

“The IPTV industry must take a leap forward beyond a proprietary, vendor-only development model, and leverage the proven internet model for introducing open and flexible applications and services,” added Brook Longdon, global head of IPTV Solutions, Nokia Siemens Networks.

“The industry is at a crossroad of being able to blend the world of Web 2.0 with that of traditional linear broadcast offerings, and the next-generation IPTV solution we are launching today will help accelerate that reality,” Longdon said.

By John Kennedy

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com