SLT Visioncom, a fully owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Telecom will invest hundred million rupees to start an Internet Protocol Tele Vision (IPTV) service in Sri Lanka. IPTV is a method of delivering video content through Internet protocol (IP) rather broadband Internet. IPTV has several advantages over traditional or satellite TV services which are interactive and personalized viewing experience, IPTV based converged services and also video on demand (VOD).IPTV is said interactive and personalized because it gives some unbelievable facilities that you never expected.Some examples are ability to search for your favourite TV program when you need, search for a particular movie by it's director,watch Sana's career records while you watch a cricket match or even you can change the angle of camera during that match. However some of these facilities are possible with some modern satellite services also.
Another useful feature is Video On Demand (VOD) which allows you to select a missed TV program or a film and watch it at your free time. But most probably it will be much expensive. IPTV based converged services are the other incentives that you will get through this service. On-Screen Caller ID is an example for these converged services. Actually they are value added services bundled with IPTV service.
Up to now I mentioned about the things out there. But surly this will not be the reality in Sri Lanka. Because broadband Internet is the critical factor for all above mentioned "dreams". At present SLT's 1.5 Gbps bandwidth is shared among it's 54000 broadband customers and 80 000 dialup users (According to a recent newspaper advertisement, SLT' bandwidth is 1.5 Gbps where a US based files hosting company like Rapidshare has more than 120Gbps bandwidth). In order to roll out an IPTV service, SLT will be required to upgrade their ADSL system to ADLS 2+ .ADSL has several standards and currently SLT uses ITU G.992.1 (A standard define by International Telecommunication Union) standard which supports only max downstream speed of 12Mbps. An ADSL 2+ system is capable of providing theoretically 24Mbps of downstream service (ITU G.992.1 standard).
SLT office express service is currently offered at 6750 rupees which supports max speed of 2Mbps and if we calculate the cost using these values for an 12Mbps ADSL 2+ service which is suitable for IPTV services, it will cost around 40 000 rupees per month. Which means we can expect a price reduction of normal ADSL services after implementing SLT's IPTV service. SLT is sturgeling to launch a WiMax service also since 2006 and more information on this will be updated within few days.
Readers are highly encouraged to comment on any inconsistencies of the "numbers" stated in this article such as total bandwidth of SLT because all those values are based on newspapers and SLT press releases. 
Quite honestly i seriously doubt this will get off the ground. For IPTV to be a success it will require a large user base where each user has a good enough connection to get maximum benefits. SLT still has to get its ADSL up to standards, much less ADSL 2+. Id say they would have greater success if they could improve their bandwidth and give users the speed they should have. If they dont do that soon SLT might lose a lot of its customers to Dialog Internet very soon
ReplyDeleteLet's hope SLT will at least upgrade their network to ADSL 2+ and give normal ADSL at Rs 500 per month... :)
ReplyDeleteThis episode on IPTV has a lot to write about. Having read this comment on introduction of IPTV in Sri Lanka, prompted me to do some research on the net. It appears most of the big league guys such as BT, Singtel, Reliance, France Telecom have or about to have an IPTV offering in their service portfolio. But then…this is Sri Lanka. I am trying to dig stats on the number of customers changing from Satellit,DTH offering to Cable,IPTV but still not got. All indications are with SLT joining the TV arena, will make the service provider industry more competitive and thus bringing the prices down which is a welcome move and make it more affordable to the average customer. SLT has by far the biggest and diverse customer segments, with people of all walks of life.
ReplyDeleteAlso with rumours of SLT upgrading their core IP network to 10G, would make these services faster to the end customer. After all SLT needs a very good distributed ADSL and fiber network, and a resilient core network to provide bandwidth reservation for IPTV services. Also IPTV would change the whole landscape of the TV industry bringing in the Interactive part where the customer has a choice of when/where he wants to watch the movie. I myself would like to watch movies and episodes at the time I like.
Rumour has it that DTV in a frantic move, is countering the competition by giving free decoders to premium customers, and testing MPEG4 transmission to enable them to b’cast more channels. All in all, if SLT get things in perspective, we would be not having problems of sudden channel shut out during rains and winds (no more blames on Global Warming!!), and heavy pixellation in viewing, an intrinsic issue in the Ku band reception
Well, first of all there are No of corrections to this article No 1. is for the stated comment that SLT has only 1.5GB bandwitdh.Although it may be true, This will hardly affect the IPTV performance since the content is broadcast from local servers in which case foreing bandwith dose not become a bottleneck. No 2- ADSL 2+ is not quite a nessicity for IPTV these days as now with the most recent MPEG 4 Decoding it is a fact that you could deliver High Definition (HD) Video Content by using just 7-8Mbps compared to the originally estimated 25Mbps a year or so ago. And only 2 Mbps for DVD Quality , although this required a really powerful settop box to decode MPEG 4. This still quiet possibble and in my opinion since SLT is new to the IPTV Buiss. It is very probable that they use this newer technlogy MPEG4 based set top boxes.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I totally disagree with the stated fact that 1.5Gb core network is gonna be a bottleneck. Since this is international bandwith that is shared. As for IPTV it would be Local Servers & Local Bandwith. Which we've got plenty with a good nation wide (Expandable on Demand) Fiber Optic Network. And plenty of unused bandwidth. Secondly , as said in the article the requirement for ADSL 2 / 2+ is also not nessecary as with the latest MPEG 4 Decoding Technology you need only 7-8 Mbps for High Definition (HD) Audio & Video delivery and just 2Mbps for DVD Quality Audio & Video Delivery although this may require a far more powerful set top box it is still far more efficient compared to the originally estimated 25Mbps for HD and 8 Mbps for DVD Quality a year or so ago using far less efficient compression such as MPEG - 2. this easily fits into the bandwidth cap of ADSL as it has a theoritical max of about 8mbps for a short distance and 2 Mbps at a very reasonable distance form the ISP delivery point. It is quiet probable that SLT will use the more newer & powerful set top boxes since it is available.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I totally disagree with the stated fact that 1.5Gb core network is gonna be a bottleneck. Since this is international bandwith that is shared. As for IPTV it would be Local Servers & Local Bandwith. Which we've got plenty with a good nation wide (Expandable on Demand) Fiber Optic Network. And plenty of unused bandwidth. Secondly , as said in the article the requirement for ADSL 2 / 2+ is also not nessecary as with the latest MPEG 4 Decoding Technology you need only 7-8 Mbps for High Definition (HD) Audio & Video delivery and just 2Mbps for DVD Quality Audio & Video Delivery although this may require a far more powerful set top box it is still far more efficient compared to the originally estimated 25Mbps for HD and 8 Mbps for DVD Quality a year or so ago using far less efficient compression such as MPEG - 2. this easily fits into the bandwidth cap of ADSL as it has a theoritical max of about 8mbps for a short distance and 2 Mbps at a very reasonable distance form the ISP delivery point. It is quiet probable that SLT will use the more newer & powerful set top boxes since it is available.
ReplyDeleteAnother STL trick??? Painkiller
ReplyDeleteI went for the SLT IPTV show at BMICH on Sunday Evening. I got mixed answers to my question as to if IPTV uses a different range of the spectrum of the ADSL connection. Most of those who were presenting in the booths were clueless about the details. But one person who seemed to know said this was the case.
ReplyDeleteFew Facts I found out.
IPTV uses about 1GB per hour to give DVD quality.
That is 10Gb/3600=2.7Mbps
i.e. you need about 2-3Mbps connection and they claim that is possible within 4 kms from server IF the copper wire is good. They can test that on your ADSL connection.
SLT currently charge Rs2250+VAT for 0.5Mbps and Rs6750 for a 2Mbps
for a 2.0Mbps unlimited connection. What will a 3Mbps IPTV connection cost.
Those who subscribe to SLT ADSL know that you see only fraction of those speeds when congested. When IPTV is congested it is probably like Rainfade on DTV
SLT plans to have about 24-48 hours of Live Lankan TV online so viewers can view programs on demand. That is very useful since you get limited TiVo like capability without the DVR.
yes, me too went and you are correct. Most of the people are just doing a prepared lecture and most of them are not having at least the basic knowledge about IPTV. I also heard that they will provide a connection of 3Mbps and most probably they will offer packages ranging from Rs 100-Rs 1000. As this 3Mbps line will not be capable of using for regular internet access,probably SLT will provide this service at a low price. But the one major limitation is the distance from the SLT exchange. So the number of accessible people will be very few not link Dialog Satellite TV (DTV). But as a solution they can set up repeater stations but I wonder how many such stations SLT can deploy.
ReplyDeleteYep i do agree with kavana & prathiba's comment about the lack of technical know how of most of the reps and their mixed answers along with quiet a lack of english too. In my opinion there were only two guys who I met that were proffesional and spoke proper english. However the settop box would cost around 10K and is Mpeg 4 & High Definintion ready. I also saw the HD link in the movie library atlthough SLT says that it will realease HD after the inital launch. When relaeased HD is gonna be really cool. and later on you may also be able to use ur M3 Connection wit a special IPTV package to view it on the move on ur notebook or to those areas beyond ADSL reach.........lets hope we dont need a compulsory ADSL connection for IPTV ...cuz i use M3 :(
ReplyDeletehello, I'm just leaving for the exhibiotn...I'am wondering whether to get IPTV over Dialog tv..should I? I already have a 0.5 kbps ADSL connection...I frequently download large files (300MB and above)..I was wondering whether the picture and sound quality could get impacted from this. Also, does IPTV have the same channels dialog tv has? I would be utterly disgusted if they do not have the expected satr movies,axn,tensports,cartoon network etc..How many channels do they offer? Do I have to pay a subscription fee along with my ususal ADSL fee? How much does the setup box cost?Is quality actually DVD? Will I be restricted to using either my tv or computer at different times due to bandwith consumption? Is this a way of getting people to upgrade to a 2mbps connection? Do i plug the setup box into my router? Or where? Is it possible to record tv? if so is it possible to do so when I'am not present? How much is the hard disk space..if present or if any?
ReplyDeleteWould really appreciate some answers guys..
Thanks!
Cheers!
Oh by the way what is WIMAX? Is it like ADSL? Can i use it with my phone/computer..How much is the subscription?
Oh and by the way..when is IPTV coming out?
ReplyDeleteCan we watch iptv from usa?
ReplyDeletewhy think negetive, we must think positive as Sri Lankan.
ReplyDeletebe patient it's still testing..
ReplyDeletethen what is the point of helding an exibiton in grand scale and start testing?it woulb be much usefull if you all the testing and exibit what you are going to launch.
ReplyDeleteoh..IPTV...with VOD,
ReplyDeleteok its coming with an ADSL2+ (but u can't use that speed for internet browsing!)
3.5m or 4m connection speed is only for IPTV!
if u have .5m connection they will upgrade it to 3.5m,if u have 2m they will upgrade it to 2+2 = 4m.
U can get more than 30 international channels + local channels for just 100rupees per month.
Its better than DialogTV!
for more info about IPTV just follow this link..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPTV
Waiting will be over soon.. Its a reality...
ReplyDeleteBuy a rapidshare account and you can download all the latest films on katz.cd or warez-bb.org get an unlimited internet connection from SLT home package its Rs2500 i think and for rapidshare account is like Rs7800 per year you can pay through paypal IT WORKS but you have to wait 5days and you can download upto 80GB movie or what ever you want from that site.. DONT WASTE MONEY YOU FREAKS
ReplyDeleteim frm sri Lanka hehehehe names HUSKY
SLT?
ReplyDeleteoh it sucks!!!