Triple play is a new technology which enables cable television, high speed Internet and Internet based phone services through one cable. Some cable companies are already offering the new technology to its subscribers, but triple play is still under heavy development. The common bandwidth speed is today at 0.5-1.0 megabit/second, and a triple play system that works properly will require at least 10 megabit/second. There have also been major copyright issues concerning the launch of voice over Internet services (VoIP): there’s still a lack of agreement how television networks and companies that delivers the content will be paid. It’s also important that triple play can be accessed through the television and not only the computer. This requires set-top boxes which currently is too expensive. The launch of triple play in major markets is expected in 2005, and digital video, high speed Internet and telephone services through one cable are believed to be a success. The growth prospects of the triple play technology are now dependent on the cable companies’ ability to connect a critical mass of broadband homes and provide them with a full suite of entertainment and communication services, and to increase the profits per subscriber by providing value added services such as video on demand (VOD) and high speed Internet (Statistics Canada 2003:1). It is also believed that IP (Internet Protocol) will play a major part in the triple play technology: “The addition of IP-enabled services, including those beyond high-speed Internet – VoIP, IP video, multimedia, gaming and more – is expected to lift all tho boats in the fleet of triple play services� (IP Solution Summit 2004:14). IP-based systems are now poised to start carry the long promised revenue potential of the triple play technology through one network, with one bill and by one company.
Simen Sjoelli 17:23, 27 Oct 2004 (EST)
