COIN : a customisable, incentive driven video on demand framework for low-cost IPTV services
- Authors: Musvibe, Ray
- Date: 2012 , 2012-03-02
- Subjects: Internet television , Digital television , Television broadcasting -- Technological innovations , Multicasting (Computer networks) , Video dial tone , Open source software , Telecommunication , Capital investments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006650 , Internet television , Digital television , Television broadcasting -- Technological innovations , Multicasting (Computer networks) , Video dial tone , Open source software , Telecommunication , Capital investments
- Description: There has been a significant rise in the provision of television and video services over IP (IPTV) in recent years. Increasing network capacity and falling bandwidth costs have made it both technically and economically feasible for service providers to deliver IPTV services. Several telecommunications (telco) operators worldwide are rolling out IPTV solutions and view IPTV as a major service differentiator and alternative revenue source. The main challenge that IPTV providers currently face, however, is the increasingly congested television service provider market, which also includes Internet Television. IPTV solutions therefore need strong service differentiators to succeed. IPTV solutions can doubtlessly sell much faster if they are more affordable or low-cost. Advertising has already been used in many service sectors to help lower service costs, including traditional broadcast television. This thesis therefore explores the role that advertising can play in helping to lower the cost of IPTV services and to incentivise IPTV billing. Another approach that IPTV providers can use to help sell their product is by addressing the growing need for control by today's multimedia users. This thesis will therefore explore the varied approaches that can be used to achieve viewer focused IPTV implementations. To further lower the cost of IPTV services, telcos can also turn to low-cost, open source platforms for service delivery. The adoption of low-cost infrastructure by telcos can lead to reduced Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), which in turn can lead to lower service fees, and ultimately to higher subscriptions and revenue. Therefore, in this thesis, the author proposes a CustOmisable, INcentive (COIN) driven Video on Demand (VoD) framework to be developed and deployed using the Mobicents Communication Platform, an open source service creation and execution platform. The COIN framework aims to provide a viewer focused, economically competitive service that combines the potential cost savings of using free and open source software (FOSS), with an innovative, incentive-driven billing approach. This project will also aim to evaluate whether the Mobicents Platform is a suitable service creation and execution platform for the proposed framework. Additionally, the proposed implementation aims to be interoperable with other IPTV implementations, hence shall follow current IPTV standardisation architectures and trends. The service testbed and its implementation are described in detail and only free and open source software is used; this is to enable its easy duplication and extension for future research. , TeX output 2012.03.02:1241 , Adobe Acrobat 9.2 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The effect of commercialisation, privatisation and liberalisation on universal access in South Africa
- Authors: Gardner, Sean Patrick Newell
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Telkom (Firm : South Africa) , Telecommunication , Telecommunication -- South Africa , Privatization -- South Africa , Trade regulation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3431 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002885 , Telkom (Firm : South Africa) , Telecommunication , Telecommunication -- South Africa , Privatization -- South Africa , Trade regulation -- South Africa
- Description: From the 1990s onwards, significant developments have occurred in the international telecommunications sector that have affected the South African telecommunications industry and peoples’ access to the network. Rapid developments in Information and Communication Technologies and the reorganisation of telecommunications operators through commercialisation, privatisation and the effects of market liberalisation have resulted in monopoly operators moving away from their public service mandates. Globalisation and adherence to World Trade Organisation rules are causing operators to rebalance their tariffs closer to cost. Long-distance rates are decreasing while the cost of local calls is increasing. High-end users of telecommunications services are benefiting while low-end, largely residential users are being priced off the network. The end result is a negative effect on universal access to telecommunications services. This study examines the extent to which commercialisation, privatisation and liberalization are affecting the provision of telecommunications services and the government’s goal of achieving universal access in South Africa. Qualitative research methods were utilised to establish that the state owned operator, Telkom, has transformed itself from a public service operator to one that is fully commercialised and prepared for an Initial Public Offering and competition. Telkom no longer attempts to ensure that its tariffs are affordable for all people. However, positive developments presented themselves in the form of an increasingly competent regulator, a reorganised and dedicated Universal Service Agency, and the popularity of cellular telephony. The primary discovery of this study is that the liberalisation of the South African telecommunications sector cannot be assumed to have a negative effect on the provision of service. This study finds that liberalisation will most likely benefit the country through the role out of new infrastructure, the provision of new services and ultimately the reduction of those services themselves. In order for universal access to be achieved in this country the study recommends that the resources of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa be enhanced to enable the regulator oversee the industry effectively. Secondly, the Universal Service Agency must provide clear definitions of universal access and universal service as well as manage the Universal Service Fund with greater efficiency. Lastly, the two bodies mentioned above must ensure that services are affordable for all people of this country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Progress towards the development and implementation of an unambiguous copper wire fingerprinting system
- Authors: Poole, Martin
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Electroplating , Copper , Telecommunication , Theft -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5484 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005270 , Electroplating , Copper , Telecommunication , Theft -- Prevention
- Description: The Telecommunications industry in Southern Africa is faced with the problem of theft of the signal carrying copper wire, both from the ground and from telephone poles. In many cases, if the offenders are caught, the prosecuting party has no way of proving that the wire is the property of any one Telecommunication company, as any inked markings on the insulating sheaths have been burned off along with the insulation and protective coatings themselves. Through this work we * describe the problem, * specify the necessary and preferred technical properties of a viable solution, * report the preliminary investigations into the devising of an unambiguous "fingerprinting" of the 0.5 mm wires, including some of those solutions that, upon investigation, appear non-viable, * describe the development and implementation of an electrochemical marker with detection mechanism which has shown in proof-of-principle to work, * outline the road-map of necessary future work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003