A new report from MRG, IPTV Home Networking Strategies, 2006, describes the strategic importance of the Home Network for IPTV (IP TV) operators. It describes how a Home Networking strategy can improve the competitiveness of an IPTV service against Cable and Satellite services, and position the IPTV operator well in the looming battle against the PC and CE (consumer electronics) industries. Extending their management systems to include the Home Network will give IPTV operators an entry into the home that none of these other companies can match today. In addition, the IPTV operators can use the Home Gateway and IPTV Set-Top-Box to provide both local and network based services. These strategies can give IPTV operators an important early lead because neither the Cable or Satellite companies have the two-way communications infrastructure, or the Set-Top- boxes, that can compete against these services.

"Winning at the IPTV game requires a three-prong strategy," states Bob Larribeau, Program Director IPTV. "Operators need a flexible approach to the physical network in the home along with strong commitment to managing the Home Network and using it as a platform for delivering a rich set of services."

By examining the worldwide standards available for Home Networks and Home Gateways, the report suggests various strategies and architectures for interconnecting both AV (Audio-Visual) and PC devices in the home, and reviews the costs, risks and opportunities for each strategy.

The report also reviews the trends in the physical aspects of home networking and in new architectures for managing and offering diverse services over Home Networks. While there is strong interest in the IEEE 802.11n wireless standard, it will not be available until 2007, meaning that operators will have to adopt coaxial cable and power-line solutions in the interim.

Organizations interviewed include Alcatel, CoaxSys, DLNA, DS2, MoCA, Intel, HomePlug Alliance, HPNA, Microsoft, Motorola, Kreatel, Ruckus, Siemens, Texas Instruments, and others; standards groups covered include DSL Forum, DVB, UPnP, CEA, and others

The (67-page) IPTV Home Networking Strategies Report, 2006 is available in a printed version for $1,995US, as a PDF departmental license for $2995US, and is free as part of the IPTV Tracking Service. To order this report or for more information, contact Rob Smith (408-524-9767) or visit http://www.mrgco.com.