Rick ThompsonSenior Analyst, Heavy Reading

Multimedia Whole-Home Networking: Solving the IPTV Distribution Dilemma

A Heavy Reading Report

Published May 2006

“Whole-Home” Networking

“Whole-Home” refers to the capability to distribute, network, and access entertainment (video/audio), communications (voice), and information (data) anywhere in the home, on

any device within the home.

• Example: Record an IPTV asset (movie, TV show, etc.) on one device within the home, like a master IP STB/DVR, but access it via another device (remote TV/IP STB) over the in-home network.

• More than simply distributing IPTV from the home gateway to the IP STB.

High-Level Technology ComparisonMoCA HPNAv3 HomePlug AV 802.11x (NG WiFi)

Physical Medium Coax cabling (RG6 & RG59)

Coax and phoneline (RG6 & RG59 coax)

Electrical Powerline Air

Data Rate 270Mbps max; 140Mbps realistic; 100+Mbps proven in field. NG chipsets targeting 160-200Mbps.

140Mbps max, 128Mbps initial chipsets; 80-100Mbps proven in field. v3.1 max PHY rate 340Mbps.

200Mbps max; 120Mbps realistic; observed testing 50-80Mbps max (98% outlet coverage may drop significantly

802.11g max 54Mbps; video-optimized consistent throughput 15-30Mbps range; 802.1n promising 100+Mbps.

Capex $$ $ $ $$$

Opex $ $ $ $ (lowest opex)

Security DES AES 128-bit AES 802.11i, WEP, WPA2

Interference Limited Limited Surge protectors, electrical motors, switching power supplies, dimmers, etc.

2.4GHz cordless phones, microwaves, etc.

QoS RF/IP bandwidth separation; challenges with standard IP priority markings

MAC-level QoS with unlimited priority levels

TDM/CSMA-CA-based MAC

802.11e, WMM, proprietary techniques for optimized 802.11g.

Additional Notes Verizon deploying as part of FIOS. MSO market may be larger opp. Moto & others integrating today.

AT&T deploying as part of Lightspeed. Emerging as preferred NA telco choice. SA, 2Wire, etc., integrating today.

AV standard chipsets not readily available, lags MoCA, HPNAv3. DS2 (UPA) leads powerline deployments internationally to date. Expect more action 2H06 and 2007.

Initial deployments of video-optimized 802.11g are promising. Ruckus Wireless leading market. Carriers worldwide will continue to drive NG WiFi.

Detailed Pros & Cons of Each Technology In Report

Multimedia Home Networking Taxonomy

AccessNetwork

Copper and/or Fiber Infrastructure: ADSL2plus, VDSL2, FTTx(Home Networking WAN Interfaces Integrated into NID and/or ONT)

EthernetCable

(CAT-5,6)

CoaxialCable

(RG6, RG59)

Twisted PairPhoneline

ElectricalPowerline

Air

IEEE802.3

HPNAv3MoCA

ProprietaryHPNAv3

HomePlug AVProprietary (UPA)

IEEE802.11x

Network Connected Multimedia CPE: IP STB, DVR, Home Gateway, Media Bridges, PC/Laptop, Media Server, Gaming Console, Etc.

(Other Critical Technologies: MPEG-4 Decoders, DRM S/W)

Multimedia CPE UI Technologies: IPTV Browser, EPG, TV/PC Web Browser, Video Search and Navigation

TR-064: LAN side CPE MgmtTR-064: LAN

side CPE Mgmt

WT-111: Remote Mgmt of home devices

(TR-069 pass-thru)

WT-111: Remote Mgmt of home devices

(TR-069 pass-thru)

TR-069: WAN-side CPE Mgmt

TR-069: WAN-side CPE Mgmt

WT-135: STB Object modelWT-135: STB Object model

PhysicalMedium

Standard/Technology

HomeDevices

RemoteMgmt.

UserInterface

• IPTV’s arrival is causing an important shift in priorities and focus in the home networking sector.

• Service providers see home networking as a critical component for IPTV - one they need to control. The market is shifting from consumer-driven to service-provider driven.

• Reducing opex is a primary motivation for service providers’ multimedia whole-home networking initiatives.

• IP-over-coax technology will dominate the North American IPTV home networking market for the next several years.

• Europe and Asia will lead deployment of powerline and next-gen WiFi home networking, as a result of laxer requirements.

High-Level Report Findings

• Next-gen WiFi tops service providers’ wish lists for multimedia home networking, but mass adoption isn’t imminent.

• Remote management and control of the subscriber premise is just as critical as the home network medium.

• Access network architecture may influence and/or dictate the choice of home networking technology

• Home networking technologies are evolving from external adapters to integrated technology components within IP STBs, home gateways, etc.

High-Level Report Findings (Cont.)

Vendors Profiled1. Airgo Networks Inc.2. Alcatel (NYSE: ALA; Paris:

CGEP:PA)3. Amino Communications Ltd.4. Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:

CSCO) 5. Coaxsys Inc.6. Coppergate Communications

Ltd.7. Design of Systems on Silicon

SA (DS2)8. Entone Technologies Inc.9. Entropic Communications Inc.10. Intellon Corp.11. Linksys, a subsidiary of Cisco

Systems Inc.

12. Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)

13. Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT)14. Netgear Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR)15. Netopia Inc. (OTC: NTPA)16. Pace Micro Technology plc

(London: PIC)17. Ruckus Wireless Inc.18. Scientific Atlanta Inc., a

subsidiary of Cisco Systems Inc.

19. Siemens AG (NYSE: SI; Frankfurt: SIE)

20. Telsey SpA21. 2Wire Inc.22. Ubicom Inc.

Service Providers Profiled1. AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T)

2. Consolidated Communications Inc. (NYSE: CNSL)

3. Magnet Networks Ltd., a subsidiary of Columbia Ventures Corp.

4. PCCW Ltd. (NYSE: PCW)

5. Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc.

6. SureWest Communications (Nasdaq: SURW)

7. Swisscom AG (NYSE: SCM)

8. Telefonica SA (NYSE: TEF)

9. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)

10. Major North American incumbent carrier that requested anonymity