On the use of thin-client Set-Top Boxes for IPTV services

Together with the developments in terms of broadband connectivity and IP-based service consolidation, the introduction of cloud technologies is opening a whole new window of opportunity for service and telecommunications operators alike, to improve and expand their service portfolio. In this line of thought, this paper presents an innovative proposal to improve the delivery of IPTV services for residential users. It departs from the existing model, based on fat Set-Top Box (STB) appliances designed for specific IPTV frameworks, going instead for a solution that turns STBs into stateless devices, with the whole service interface being moved to the provider infrastructure. This thin-client STB-based service delivery model for IPTV, also includes the necessary management mechanisms to provision and configure the involved components. Overall, this approach is designed to enable providers to improve and simplify their IPTV delivery infrastructure, while maintaining backwards-compatibility with their existing Operations Support Systems.