Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) July 2017 Volume 34, Issue 5 | Page 25

July 2017 DISTRIBUTION 25
Xue Xinwen , vice-president , product management , SERAPHIC : The viewing experience can be customised using Web technology ; thus , SERAPHIC has develop Sraf Lite , a browser engine that enables operators to integrate OTT content and deploy CDN services .
brings forth a new delivery channel via IP networks , enabling them to develop new business models that differentiate from their traditional TV business .
Xue Xinwen , vice-president , product management , SERAPHIC , says : “ Consumers in Asia-Pacific would like to embrace rich content from the global market , such as videos from YouTube , and many other channels . However , it ’ s not easy for operators to integrate these content and services on their own OTT platforms . YouTube , for instance , requires a certification on DTV ( digital TV ) and STB products to ensure their service quality , and this certification is usually set with strict technical requirements .”
As a DTV browser and “ TV + Internet ” solution provider , SERAPHIC partners global OTT content aggregators and content providers to integrate their services on connected TV devices . For instance , the company offers Sraf Lite , a browser engine that enables operators to integrate third-party OTT content , and deploy content delivery network ( CDN ) services . Value-added services , such as
Matthias Greve , CEO and founder of ABox42 , commenting on the integration of applications in smart TV sets : In order for operators to stay relevant , they have to be the main user interface on TV ; otherwise , the operator risks being just another app or service on the TV .”
advertising and content purchase , can also be deployed via this Webbased solution .
Today , a TV set has more than what it traditionally offers . Triggered by TV manufacturers , the rise of smart TVs has enabled viewers to enjoy similar applications , which they might have installed on their mobile devices or big screen TVs .
Acknowledging that smart TVs have an influence on today ’ s STB decisions , ABox42 ’ s CEO and founder , Matthias Greve , points out that this has also led to the development of smart STBs , which are capable of running thirdparty services such as YouTube and hybrid broadcast broadband ( HbbTV ) applications .
Greve says : “ Viewers should always switch to HDMI 1 with the smart STB . In order for operators to stay relevant , they have to be the main user interface on TV ; otherwise , the operator risks being just another app or service on the TV .
“ Supplying a smart STB is the first step for cable operators to reach out to all customers , as it enables them to offer these new
STB has been an integral component of the video ecosystem . Besides delivering the video experience , STB also drives audience engagement for operators , and enables content aggregation from multiple sources .
services . The combination with applications comes second as operators are now focusing on multi-screen viewing on mobile devices with OTT streams for iOS and Android .”
While the discourse on the rise of smart TVs continues , IHS ’ Lynn stresses that STBs “ are not analogue ” as they run on different business models . She explains : “ TV manufacturers are focusing on increasing sales of their smart TVs , and not on supporting the smart TV functionalities in the long run .
“ The challenge for a service provider to ensure their TV service runs across so many different smart TV models with different operating systems would be tremendous . This is why service providers continue to prefer STB as it gives them the ability to introduce software upgrades and new services across its whole subscriber base while prolonging the STB ’ s lifespan .”
STB has been an integral component of the video ecosystem . Besides delivering the video experience , STB also drives audience engagement for operators , and enables content aggregation from multiple sources .
Scot Mason , senior staff solutions architect , Asia-Pacific , ARRIS , says : “ We see that operators
in Asia-Pacific are aiming to diversify their content offerings . Instead of just providing linear or live content , they are also offering on-demand and OTT content . By integrating OTT entertainment , such as Netflix and iflix , to augment their content offering , operators can improve their value proposition , reduce churn , and provide long-term revenue growth .”
For instance , ActiveVideo , a joint-venture company of ARRIS and US telco Charter Communications , has developed the CloudTV solution that has been adopted by Jupiter Telecommunications ( J : COM ), a Japanese telco and pay-TV operator .
J : COM is using CloudTV to enhance their video-on-demand ( VoD ) interface , hence enabling content discovery — a key factor in driving take-up rates for VoD content . This new experience , according to ActiveVideo , includes improved responsiveness , a larger informative display , and the ability
❝ By integrating OTT services to augment its content offerings , cable operators are able to improve their value proposition , reduce churn , and provide long-term revenue growth .❞
— Scot Mason , Senior Staff Solutions Architect , Asia-Pacific ,
ARRIS
to personalise searches .
Shifting the browsing environment to the cloud has allowed J : COM to accelerate availability , which enhances the capabilities of existing devices in its service footprint . In addition , the flexibility of the cloud has enabled J : COM to update its UX to deliver new services , thus meeting consumer needs .
“ The user interface is the customer ’ s point of entry to our ondemand library ,” claims Masaaki Agaya , general manager , service planning division for J : COM . “ The power of the cloud has enabled us to offer our subscribers a nextgeneration UX that engages new viewing experiences on the same , familiar STBs .”
ActiveVideo CloudTV GuideCast allows pay-TV operators to augment current STB functionality by making the UX independent of device CPU speeds , memory size and graphics capabilities . Mason explains : “ With CloudTV , operators can deliver a consistent UX across their footprint , and provide next-generation user interfaces that give consumers new ways to find content and interact with advertisers .”
He concludes : “ Older STBs might not contain the necessary processing capabilities , or support for modern interface for OTT services such as Netflix or YouTube . CloudTV renders HTML5 userinterface in the cloud , and delivers the output as an interactive MPEG video stream to any cable QAM ( quadrature amplitude modulation ) or IP STB that is supported by a downloadable or pre-installed client with a CloudTV Nano module .”

North Telecom expands into APAC and looks beyond

With the changes sweeping today ’ s media industry , the level of competitiveness has never been higher , declared Mahdi Nazari Mehrabi , CTO and managing director , Asia , North Telecom .
These changes , Mehrabi told APB , arise from the launch of video-on-demand ( VoD ) platforms , which have impacted broadcasters ’ traditional workflows and consumers ’ viewing habits . He explained : “ The emergence of new technologies and new business models is an inevitable consequence . They are taking over some aspects of traditional business models , and media operators have to be pro-active to think about new methods and markets , as well as new applications .”
However , Mehrabi stressed that satellite connectivity will continue to play a vital role in broadcasting , particularly in reaching out to consumers in under-developed regions and countries . He continued : “ There are a lot of areas where people would like to use VoD services but do not have access to Internet connectivity .
“ These are the areas that media operators would have to leverage on satellite connectivity to reach out to their consumers . Satellite capacity is capable of filling these gaps , allowing media operators to leverage their markets , and drive more subscriptions globally .”
North Telecom has also affirmed its expansion plans into Asia-Pacific with the acquisition of ScopeTel , a Malaysia-based tele communication company offering satellitebased telecommunications and VSAT ( very small aperture terminal ) network solutions . Mehrabi explained : “ Acquisitions would enhance operations more effectively while managing costs , allowing North Telecom to reach out to more customers across the globe .”
Since 1995 , ScopeTel ’ s VSAT services have been deployed around the globe , from remote areas in Sabah , Malaysia to Sub-Saharan Africa .
Adil Zaitar Mansor , vice-president , business development , ScopeTel , commented : “ Being a part of a bigger group like North Telecom , we ’ re able to leverage our technologies and costs . It also helps us to remain competitive to continue serving our customers in the future .”
Media operators have to be more active in using technologies to tap into new markets and explore new applications , urged Mahdi Nazari Mehrabi , CTO and managing director , Asia , North Telecom .