This document discusses and compares IPTV and OTT delivery methods. IPTV delivers live and on-demand content over a dedicated operator network using UDP and transport streams, allowing the operator full control over quality and bandwidth. OTT delivers content over the public internet using HTTP and TCP, allowing content to be accessed on any device but with less operator control over quality. Key differences are around delivery protocols, network usage, and level of operator control. The document also outlines common IPTV and OTT features, architectures, and billing models.

1. OTT & IPTV
Hybrid Video Market-
Legacy Order Management , Billing system-
Features to comply

2. • IPTV is delivered over a dedicated, operator-managed network that is used only for broadcasting
TV.
• The operator has full control over the network and can configure specific parameters, such as
bandwidth consumption and jitter prevention to ensure a high level of service quality.
• Traditional IPTV uses TS (transport stream) transmission technology which is based on satellite TV
broadcasting and delivers content over UDP in datagram mode.
IPTV
IPTV services may be classified into following:
• Live television, with or without interactivity related to the current TV show.
• Time-shifted programming:
• Catch-up TV (replays a TV show that was broadcast hours or days ago),
• Start-over TV (replays the current TV show from its beginning);
• Video on demand (VOD): browse a catalog of videos, not related to TV programming.
• Other On-Demand Services: games, music, karaoke, magazine etc.
• Value added services: movie/train ticket reservation, internet, YouTube, facebook. Etc.

3. • OTT TV differs from IPTV as it transmits streams using HTTP, the protocol which has been used for
decades to transport web pages over the Internet.
• HTTP is based on TCP, a connected transport protocol with more practical features than UDP.
• Until recently, live broadcasting was restricted to operator-managed IPTV networks using the UDP
multicast protocol because of the constraints with HTTP.
• The arrival of OTT streaming, however, has brought a new approach and it is now possible to
achieve levels of streaming quality over HTTP that allow live content to be broadcast over the
Internet.
OTT
Technology providers for OTT streams :
Apple®, promoting its HLS standard;
Google™, pushing its own WebM technology;
Microsoft®, with Silverlight Smooth Streaming;
Adobe, with HTTP dynamic Streaming.

4. OTT Vs IPTV

5. IPTV Delivery & Control framework
Satellite
Terrestrial
Local Digital
Channel/Content
Billing
Decoder Encoder
Web Server
Middleware
Internet
STB
TV
PC
Modem
EPG / Content/ Customer
Profile Management
Authentication/
Streaming/Redirection
Laptop
Handheld
Customer Management/
Provisioning/Content
Packaging/Billing
Dedicated Backbone/
Operator Network

6. OTT Content Management, Delivery &
Control framework

7. Pay TV, IP TV, OTT /Adaptive Streaming
Flow diagram

8. Typical OSS & BSS stack for IPTV /OTT
1. Products , Service & Plan Management
2. Promotional Packs and Rules
3. Inventory management (Only applicable for IPTV)
4. Analytical Tool for performance tracking and Reporting
5. Call center
3. Billing, collections and taxation
4. Mediation/Rating (Applicable if streaming based usage charges required
5. Web portal deployment and maintenance
6. Case Management/Ticket Management

9. The major functional capabilities include:
1. Daily Depletion Billing
2. Accept balance top-up information from various sources and send acknowledgements.
3. Acknowledge various service authorization requests based on the subscription balance.
4. Interface with EPG system
5. Reduce IPTV subscription level balances based on the usage/subscription of services.
6. Provide subscription balance information in minimum number of clicks
7. Provide valid promotional offers based on the scenarios discussed in the document
8. Interface with external payment gateways, dealer vendor system for prepaid and with IPTV middleware for
near real-time customer/account/package provisioning.
IPTV/OTT Billing Features & Capabilities

10. Billing Models
a. Annual membership
b. Monthly subscription fee with various price ranges
c. Per title in cases of VOD and PPV
d. Per episode and per season for TV series
e. Per episode for Catch up TV
f. Per number of times to view
g. Per days to view
h. Streaming based usage charges
IPTV/OTT Billing Models

11. Glossary
Connected TV: A smart TV, sometimes referred to as connected TV or hybrid TV, (not to be confused with IPTV, Internet TV, or with
Web TV), describes a trend of integration of the Internet and Web 2.0 features into television sets and set-top boxes, as well as the
technological convergence between computers and these television sets / set-top boxes. The devices have a higher focus on online
interactive media, Internet TV, over-the-top content, as well as on-demand streaming media, and less focus on traditional broadcast
media than traditional television sets and set-top boxes.
OTT: In the fields of broadcasting and content delivery, Over-The-Top Content (OTT) describes broadband delivery of video and audio
without a multiple system operator being involved in the control or distribution of the content itself. The provider may be aware of the
contents of the IP packets but is not responsible for, nor able to control, the viewing abilities, copyrights, and/or other redistribution of
the content.
Multi screen video : As video moved to digital formats, content began to stream across IP networks. The term developed as more
electronic devices transmitted video.[5][6] Technical and advertising professionals began to refer to video content transmitted across
multiple devices as multiscreen video
TV Everywhere (TVE[1]) is a verification system that allows television service providers to authenticate those who wish to use their
IPTV video on demand Internet television services as actual paying customers of satellite or cable television.
Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a
packet-switched network such as the Internet. IPTV is distinguished from Internet television by its on-going standardization process
(e.g., European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and preferential deployment scenarios in subscriber-based
telecommunications networks with high-speed access channels into end-user premises via set-top boxes or other customer-premises
equipment.
live television, with or without interactivity related to the current TV show;
time-shifted television: catch-up TV (replays a TV show that was broadcast hours or days ago), start-over TV (replays the current TV
show from its beginning);
video on demand (VOD): browse a catalog of videos, not related to TV programming.
Catch up TV (or Replay TV) is VOD in which TV shows are available for a period of days after the original broadcast.

12. Thanks
Biju M R
Sr. Functional Architect, OSS/BSS for Telco/Media & Entertainment
Magnaquest Technologies
+91 8978213693