Multiscreen video delivery, a fast-growing trend

BANGALORE, INDIA: The number of operators offering home automation services using a residential gateway grows to 44 per cent by 2014. Broadband data, IPTV, WiFi hotspot access, and VoIP are the main applications operator respondents are currently offering using a residential gateway, as per market research firm Infonetics Research.

"Operators continue to morph their fixed broadband network strategies to focus not only on the size of the connection to the subscriber, but also on the services and revenue these broadband connections can deliver. Residential gateways are critical to ensuring the successful delivery of these services within the home, particularly video services," notes Jeff Heynen, directing analyst for broadband access and pay TV at Infonetics Research.

Well over half of respondents are using copper Ethernet to deliver broadband services. Huawei and ZTE are perceived as the top residential gateway vendors by over a third of survey respondents.

"Our recent survey shows the percentage of operators offering multiscreen video (wireless delivery of video to mobile phones, PCs, and tablets) using a residential gateway is growing quickly, from just six per cent today to 50 per cent by 2014," continues Heynen. "They're looking to differentiate basic pay TV services and keep customers from moving to competitors or, increasingly, cutting the cord entirely."