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appreciate what a gateway can deliver, and
for the consumer to concede that it is the
best device to deliver these services. Given
the complexity of delivery to a gateway, it is
likely to remain an operator supply for some
time to come.
Freesat: We believe the retail market is
strong and will continue to be a route by
which consumers obtain their multi-media
devices. There are groups of consumers who
are happy to have operator-supplied devices
and to sign-up to the obligations such
subsidies require. Meanwhile, other
consumers prefer the freedoms that paying a
one-off fee at retail provides.
Humax: Retail may become more important
in some markets. Sky has proven that it can
retail NOW TV products in retail as a
complementary service to its direct offering.
This is a way of enhancing new customer
acquisition and at low costs.
Irdeto: There are many markets that are
and will remain operator-controlled,
however, new technologies are making a real
impact on the content market. Low-cost
Android tablets and dongles like Google
Chromecast have brought IP streaming of
video content to the doorstep of traditional
pay-TV operators, and the launch of the PS4
and the Xbox One is driving a new range of
options for the living room entertainment
experience. With this we may see the main
TV screen rapidly transform into another
type of OTT-content streaming device with a
bigger screen. With the ability to easily
manage hybrid networks and the popularity
of hybrid devices, innovative operators can
adopt both retail and controlled business
models for their target. Some are already
doing so by offering managed set-top boxes
in the home country while supporting retail
dongle devices for expats around the world.
Rovi: CE devices are becoming more capable
of delivering a high content QoS. Operators
also benefit since they can reduce their capex
budgets. Demographics significantly affect
outcomes, as well. Younger viewers are
skewing toward tablet and mobile viewing,
eschewing operators altogether.
S3: The prospects for services/devices in a
retail market are not good in the short to
medium term. The market will continue to be
dominated by Operators, although we will
continue to see the emergence of new
broadband operators with targeted
devices (e.g.
Amazon Prime
Video services on
the FireTV
device).
SoftAtHome:
Operators are likely to
invest in OTT services and this will be the
first step towards addressing a more global
market. One approach is to move to Android.
It could be a game changer as all apps
provided by operators could be at the same
level. Operators will then have to deliver
strong added value on top of Android to
remain the market. Alternatively, another
approach is to have as many applications as
possible available in HTML5 to access
services on an OTT box.
Viaccess-Orca: With the development of
free open source software, consumers will
have the ability to build their own services
and home hub, with content provided over
the open Internet. Operator supply is
preferred by the consumers, if the provided
content is premium and abundant, and if the
service is multi-play (i.e., voice, broadband
access and TV).
Euromedia: Are you a supporter of RDK?
Are you already using the technology or have
plans to?
ABOX42: The market is developing fast and
we see a big focus on HTML based TV
applications and TV middleware, since it is
based on mature technology and developers
are widely available. Today RDK does not
play a role in our strategy.
ActiveVideo: We understand the value of
RDK, but believe that the cloud can
complement RDK by providing even greater
diversity of user experiences when content,
UIs and interactive advertising are rendered
in the cloud and delivered to any STB or
connected device.
AirTies: We are actively following RDK and
have initiated technical work to integrate the
software into our offering.
Albis: We are following the initiative with
great interest.
Amino: We’ve been evaluating RDK and
have held discussions with customers and
partners around its capabilities. To date, a lot
of the discussion has been around tier one
cable operators in North America. Naturally,
we are monitoring the growth and
transference of RDK to the IP cable and IPTV
domain within our active market areas.
Broadpeak: We ha ٔ