Push For More Money: Reassessing The Bandwidth Consumption Model For High Speed Data (2002)

By Walter Boyles, Wavexpress, Inc.

Streaming can provide an acceptable viewing experience for broadband video depending on the monitor size, subject matter, and bandwidth allocated to the stream. Typically, the bandwidth allocated for streaming video is insufficient to rival broadcast television and certainly will be of less than DVD-quality. In addition, for video and other on-line entertainment content, buffering and interruptions can occur during peak periods, degrading the consumer experience. It is beneficial to both the consumer and the cable operator to adopt a more efficient delivery model for the most commonly requested types of content. The current unicast model allocates bandwidth per subscriber, thus resulting in higher distribution costs and decreasing image quality. Content that is delivered via IP Multicast with secure caching combines broadcast efficiency with a substantially improved consumer experience.

By clicking the "Download Paper" button, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.