Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) describes a mechanism for transporting streams of video content encapsulated in IP packets over a managed network infrastructure using networking protocols. It provides a so called “walled garden” architecture to guarantee necessary QoE for subscribers. We analyze the different components of an IPTV system with a focus on access networks. Among many variants of access networks, DSL and WiMAX are compared from different aspects (e.g., cost, uplink and downlink bandwidth allocation, QoS, mobility, data rate) and advantages and disadvantages of each are given.
