Broadband Forum pushes better quality IPTV

The Broadband Forum has set global testing specifications for splitter equipment

The Broadband Forum has released a new technical report designed to help triple-play operators improve IPTV quality of service.

The Splitter Testing Technical Report 127 (TR-127) lays out the specifications allowing network operators and independent test labs to test four key IPTV network elements at the system level.

These are the Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer, the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) Modem, the Central Office Splitter and the CPE Splitter.

IPTV is becoming increasingly popular, thanks in part to the growth of online services such as the BBC iPlayer and Hulu in the US, and the TR-127 sets out detailed procedures and information to help improve the interoperability of splitters and in-line filters.

Testing splitters as part of the complete system, rather than in isolation, will prevent disturbance of the video signal by a telephone signal on the same line, particularly when the phone is ringing or just as it is answered.

"Video signal interruption by on-hook, off-hook telephone usage has plagued triple-play delivery since the concept first became reality," said Robin Mersh, chief operating officer of the Broadband Forum.

"I am absolutely delighted that, after such a thorough effort by our Testing and Interoperability Working Group, we are able to help the industry and its customers deal with this issue."

The Broadband Forum sees TR-127 being used as a reference for the specifications of splitter equipment and testing worldwide. Splitters compliant with the requirements will offer significant reduction of IPTV pixelisation on the TV screen image, and will eliminate the restarting of the Digital Subscriber Line modem, according to the report.

Mersh predicts that the new levels of testing and certification introduced by the report will soon mean that operators and customers will be able to ensure better picture quality and a more robust IPTV service.