Triple Play is the grouping of Internet access, TV and telephone service. This book is about the migration from traditional circuit-switched networks to IP-centric networks. This book addresses these issues from a technological point of view, while acknowledging business and marketing implications. Additionally, the authors analyze and question all the triple play implementation alternatives including Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line 2 (VDSL2), International Telecommunication Union standard (ADSL2+), Passive Optical Network (EPON/GPON), Ethernet (frame-based computer networking), Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (NG-SDH) and System Initiation Protocol (SIP). The Triple Play Challenge explains how and why the telecommunications industry is facing the transition to IP-centric networks, how to define, implement and offer these new services, and establishes the technology that is the driving force behind the converged network. Moreover, the book will examine two innovative video services: IPTV and VoD. The Triple Play challenge also considers another building block of the converged architecture, Ethernet, providing an in-depth analysis of existing Ethernet services and their alternatives in detail. The Triple Play Challenge is a self-contained working knowledge of Ethernet, SDH, and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) architecture. Extensive research into IMS and fixed/mobile convergence is also presented in the book. Covers the latest innovations in Triple Play services such as Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM), VDSL2, pseudowires and Provider Backbone Transport (PBT). Provides a global approach that covers access networks, transport, signaling, service definition and business models. Explores video solutions (encoding, IPTV, VoD) alongside transmission and switching technologies (Ethernet, DSL, PON, SDH). Describes the elementary concepts of triple play service provision and gives detailed technical information to highlight key aspects. Dedicates a chapter to IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and fixed/mobile convergence. Engineers developing careers in telcos, carriers, network equipment manufacturers, installers and IT managers, directors, telecommunications operators and graduates students will all benefit form this book.

Francisco J. Hens is a senior technology specialist at Trends Communications Ltd. He holds a B.Eng. and an M.A. in Telecommunications from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Francisco has a wide experience in local and extended networks, and many of his interests include most of the technologies deployed in the field of triple play, voice, video and data applications: TCP/IP architecture and routing, Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, SDH, ATM, and DSL. He has published books, articles and white papers on these subjects.

José M. Caballero is the International Marketing manager for Trend Communications Ltd. He has an M.B.A., B.S. and an M.A. in computer communications. José has previously worked as a Communications Developer, Consultant at IBM, and is currently Director of Telecommunications in the UOC university. He is an acknowledged expert in next-generation networks and has published several articles, interviews and books on these subjects in the U.S., UK, Spain and Mexico. Over the last ten years José has given over 90 international lectures, seminars and conferences on Triple Play, NGN, SDH/SONET, 3G and Gigabit Ethernet.