Media & Mobility Network Project

Media & Mobility Network Project

December 4, 2007

WatITis | Life After 50 | December 4, 2007 | Media & Mobility Network Project


Background Bud Walker initiated the project last fall Transform the technology environment in Housing Move $ from old to new communications

technology from landlines and cable to…IPTV, VOIP, mobile

devices…


So far: Small scale trials on mobile devices, VOIP and IPTV The first year was a learning experience! Learning about telecommunications & media

industry economics, regulations, politics and technology



Today’s discussion: IPTV Fixed-Mobile Convergence Residence “Incubator”



IPTV Inuk Networks has developed a platform for

distribution of broadcast quality TV over broadband networks.

Freewire is Inuk’s branded platform for the delivery of video, voice and data services to customers, with a direct focus on students



IPTV Technical trial of Freewire TV during the fall term

Only available through the multicast-enabled ResNet routers [HP-2650]

Can only watch Freewire TV on PC that runs Windows XP or later



IPTV Currently testing with 100+ Residence Computer

Consultants (RCC) & with ‘selected friends’

The RCCs are the technical support staff that live in residence and support other students

Typically they have a strong technical background in computer & Internet connectivity



IPTV Eleven channels to watch on PC



IPTV Beginning of trial, ran into technical problems

Original release (version 1.0) had some interesting software issues to resolve (i.e. bugs)

Multicasting issues, including the “the 4-second drop every minute”



IPTV – Original Situation



IPTV The problem was a translation issue between the

Layer 2 IGMP Query Protocol on the edge of the network and the Layer 3 (Cisco) PIM Protocol core, specifically with relation to HP-5400

Rather than await HP (potentially seven weeks) firmware update (i.e. patch), we went with the following suggested “quick fix”



IPTV – Current (short-term) Solution



IPTV – Feedback 90% of RCCs experience nearly break-up free

viewing (1 or less minor breakups per ½ hour)

94% of RCCs would (& do) watch TV on computer

Movies / Sports most commonly watched channels

Most common Internet Video watched is YouTube



IPTV – Feedback Hopefully future versions will reduce system

memory usage and improve stability

Support for additional platforms [Apple & Linux]

Students unanimously requested “more channels”

73% of RCCs would purchase specialty channels



Fixed-Mobile ConvergenceCan mean many things – one simple definition:

“…the trend towards seamless connectivity between fixed and wireless telecommunications networks.”



MMNP’s “Holy Grail”

Every student resident with a dual-mode (cellular & wifi) mobile smartphone

Move on-campus mobile activity from carriers’ cellular networks to campus wifi network

Ability to talk, download, access information quickly, easily and inexpensively



Ability to move seamlessly on campus, and between off and on campus (between cell and wifi networks)

When all activity is ‘free’, freedom to use devices for many different applications

WATCARD, classroom clicker, e-wallet, door access



Challenges Devices – 2% have dual-mode phones Network – reliability, QoS, handoffs (wifi-wifi and

cell-wifi) Outdoor? – no plans yet for outdoor wifi Carrier(s) – incentive to help make this shift?

FMC will take some time to evolve!



Baby steps… IST’s new wifi vendor, Aruba Networks will be

implementing wifi in all residences in 2008 Aruba is piloting an FMC concept at Ohio State this

winter We are exploring opportunities to do the same here

What Next?Given uncertain future of IPTV and long time-frames for FMC…what progress can be made immediately on other fronts?




Given… A wealth of technology talent (students &

researchers) A cluster of world-class companies (RIM, Google,

Sandvine, Sybase) Support for entrepreneurial initiatives (CBET,

Accelerator Centre) That many success stories start in the minds of

students (Facebook, Google, Yahoo!, RIM, Dell)


What if… We recruited our best tech & business students We housed them in one community We gave them equipment and facilities We had them work in teams on mobile communications and

new media projects We recruited companies, VC’s, researchers to get involved

We’re doing just that…





Combine “Accelerator Centre” and “Living-Learning Community” principles in one residence

Focus the activity on one industry (mobile+media)



Facility Minota Hagey residence – 72 beds Common areas will be renovated over summer Collaborative space, device lab, “urban loft” styling Initial architectural concepts created Urinals!



Corporate partners are being approached Marketing collateral created Student recruitment plan developed (kick-off

January) Admissions/interview process Mentors being recruited Events, workshops, speaker program being

developed Launch September 2008



Potential outcomes: Commercially viable innovations A place to develop student leaders &

entrepreneurs A tool for student recruitment A place to try new technology A reputation builder for UW A tool to engage corporations A catalyst for the rest of MMNP



www.velocity.uwaterloo.ca



Questions?



Media & Mobility Network Project

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