Comments on: Google & The MSOs http://gigaom.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:01:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: The Steinhorn Stare http://gigaom.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111183 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 07:24:03 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111183 Skype at a Disadvantage?

In a previous post, I touched on the fight over triple-play services (data, voice, video) by the data carriers (telcos, MSOs, satellite). In that post, I mentioned that I believed the crux of the fight was over data, as both voice and video would con…

]]> By: Jason http://gigaom.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111182 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 22:30:53 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111182 I worked in the iTV space for a long time, specifically with Comcast and the Telcos (and partly on IPTV).

While it’s true that Comcast is working hard to upgrade their infrastructure to support two-way IP video distribution, the cost of doing so across their entire network is extremely prohibitive (especially given the billions they’ve spent to upgrade the past couple years). The telcos, on the other hand, have the infrastructure in-place, and are currently working very hard to roll-out IPTV across the nation. Comcast (and others) are rolling out IPTV in small pockets, but I have a feeling that the big push will come from the telcos in the near future.

The telcos also lead this effort internationally, where the bulk of their digital competition is from the satellite companies, not the MSOs.

Certainly not saying that Om or Dinesh are wrong about their predictions, but I think it would be short-sighted of Google to focus so narrowly on the MSO partners.

]]> By: Dinesh http://gigaom.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111181 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 21:55:28 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111181 Ref: the job posting —

The job looks more specific to writing software that drives set-top boxes >>> specifically IPG, Content search and DVR drivers that can Googlize the TV experience.

Man – I think I should apply for an evangelist job with Google ;)

]]> By: Dinesh http://gigaom.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111180 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 21:31:58 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111180 Jason,

One of the biggest trials of IPTV is from a large MSO – Comcast. IPTV refers to video transfer technology based on IP and has everything to do with cable headends being upgraded to support IP transmission..already happening in many areas.

Where do you think on-demand TV can be exploited the best?

Here is something for you to refer:
http://www.reinventtv.com/archives/2005/08/brian_roberts_m.html

]]> By: Jason http://gigaom.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111179 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 19:51:59 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111179 Not clear why you think the job posting is specifically geared towards cable specific technologies. DVB is unlikely to be adopted by the MSO in the U.S. anytime soon (more likely to be adopted by the telcos and satellites), and they also specifically call out for IPTV experience, which is likely a reference to telco-based video distribution.

Trackback:
http://jason.netrino.com/weblog/?p=8

]]> By: The Steinhorn Stare » Blog Archive » http://gigaom.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111178 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 19:40:34 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111178 [...] While I don’t necessarily agree with Om in his blog post today that Google is necessarily looking to partner with MSOs exclusively (the job posting is clearly for someone with generic TV standards background, not MSO specific), it certainly does bring up some interesting questions about how the carriers will ultimately work with the content and service providers (a point I neglected my blog post yesterday). [...]

]]> By: Dinesh http://gigaom.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111177 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 19:11:01 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2005/12/01/google-the-msos/#comment-111177 Goog needs to learn how to work partnerships – MSO’s will not be easy to partner given that Goog is competing with them in the broadband/content space.

Content distribution via the IPTV medium depends on the lucrative last-mile ownership – cablecos and the former bells rule that. MSO’s will dictate terms when it comes to the pipes.

Free content accessible to any wireless handheld platform is cool – as long as wireless companies charge for access they love suppliers of free content, drives up their revenue. Wireless partnerships are ‘not’ exclusive – mobile content delivery will be driven by cheaper access to mobile broadband >>> next wave. Google will focus on this rather than trying to own the living room experience.

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