The purpose of this survey is to determine the priorities and plans for new services and support
infrastructure among eight major cable MSOs (Multi Systems Operators) in the U.S. representing over
60% of the U.S. cable market.
Based on direct structured interviews with over thirty (30) technical, marketing, strategy and
operations MSO managers, and with relevant vendors, the report examines near-term and long-term
priorities for new services and for IP upgrades. Research was conducted in Q4, 2004, and a summary
of the findings is included in this Executive Overview. The actual names of the participating MSOs
are not revealed due to the confidentiality agreement prior to the survey.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Sources & Research Methodology-MSO
Table I-1: Interview Sources
Section 1: IP/GigE Infrastructure
1.1.1 MSO-CATV Infrastructure ? HFS Systems + IP Base System Upgrades
1.1.2 Research Focus
Section 1: IP Upgrades
Table 1-1: Average bandwidth allocation by service
Table 1-2 MSOs using QAM for downstream and IP for Upstream (Video)
OCAP May Drive DOCSIS/IP installations for video control
Table 1-3: Status of MSO HSD, 2-way Video &VOIP?2004-2008
Table 1-4: Future IP Plans (by 2008) ? Ranked by Importance
Figure 1-1: Upstream Latency Comparison-Aloha vs. DOCSIS
Table 1-5: The anvil of legacy video systems
Figure 1-2: The Silo Problem with IP Control
MPLS in an all IP/GigE MAN Backbone
Table 1-6: MPLS Overview
Figure 1-3: Use of MPLS in Unified IP Cable Service Environment
Figure 1-4: VOD/Video Streaming on GigE/IP Backbone
