Thomson committed to joined-up services across multiple networks

Thomson highlighted its unified approach to content management and delivery across multiple platforms at IPTV World Forum 2008, outlining plans to converge its SmartVision service delivery platform for IPTV with the SmartVision platform for mobile TV. The result will be a common management and distribution solution for linear video over 3G cellular networks, VOD over 3G, DVB-H broadcast TV (mobile), and both linear and on-demand video over DSL.

According to Thierry Boudard, who is responsible for strategy marketing and innovation for service platforms at Thomson, the system will enable network operators to provide the same VOD offer through 3G and DSL and provide cross-platform continuity of service. "Subscribers can watch a movie trailer on the mobile phone and order the movie to watch on the phone or television," he explains, as an example. Ideal for telcos with fixed and mobile services, this also opens up new business model opportunities including tiered movie rental prices to cover mobile, television or both.

Thomson also announced a push-VOD solution as part of the SmartVision software platform and this is also designed to help operators provide a joined-up service using different access networks. New SmartVision modules will enable satellite and digital terrestrial platforms to download on-demand content into PVRs even without a return path connection. Where they do have access to broadband, they can use the IP pipe to augment this VOD delivery. Typically, the broadcast spectrum might be used for hit movies or TV shows, and the IP connection for long-tail content. The system supports real-time or progressive download.

During the London exhibition in March, Thomson also demonstrated its triple-play solution, an end-to-end voice and video service delivery environment that includes primary-line telephony, interactive TV and on-demand video. The company claims the pre-integration of VoIP and IPTV has been a great value-add for telcos - especially in the Tier-2 marketplace. At World Forum, the company demonstrated telephony and messaging management on the TV screen.