January 25, 2012

ATIS Spec Vets IPTV Devices, Subscribers

A new specification released by ATIS aims to securely identify and authenticate computers, TVs and other devices for connection to IPTV networks.

ATIS is a technical planning and standards development organization committed to the rapid development of global, market-driven standards for the information, entertainment and communications industry. It also is a founding partner for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

“The new spec provides the format and syntax to create a globally unique device identifier, as well as a device and subscriber authentication mechanism for each device to enable it to connect securely to different parts of IPTV networks,” ATIS says. “As the business paradigm shifts from single-device static users to multi-device mobile users, this capability is essential as it helps to more accurately define the roles and rights associated with each device.”
 
Adds President/CEO Susan Miller, “This solution enables IPTV services to reach across multiple networks and expand to wireless devices. Identifying and authenticating individual devices is an important evolutionary step toward delivering high-quality video and other multimedia products to consumers at home, at work or on the go.”
 
Developed by ATIS’ IPTV Interoperability Forum (IIF), the spec uses Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Subscriber-Bound Transport Layer Security, a new authentication architecture that binds subscribers to devices using strong cryptography. The authentication process between the receiving device/subscriber and the IPTV’s authorizing servers is explained in IPTV Device Identity and Device and Subscriber Authentication Interoperability Specification (ATIS-0800037) (for more information, click here).

In other ATIS news, the group launched the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Transition Landscape Team, tasked with making a high-level comprehensive assessment of critical issues associated with the transition underway from the PSTN to an IP-based network.

The Landscape Team will evaluate PSTN replacement network architecture and capabilities, define the requirements for services on the new network, and assess whether standards are in place to handle IP-based telephony as a replacement for PSTN telephony. It also will examine the potential regulatory implications of rolling out the new network, specifically for VoIP and OTT providers. Its focus encompasses security issues as well as the transition of the network to meet key societal goals. Findings will direct further work by ATIS Focus Groups; the new team will complete its work by March 31.

The team is chaired by Brian Daly, director/Core & Government/Regulatory Standards at AT&T Mobility Services LLC; and Mike Nawrocki, director/Wireline Standards at Verizon Network & Technology.

The group also is aligning its efforts with the FCC’s Technological Advisory Council Task Force and Critical Legacy Transition Working Group; and with other ATIS groups, including the Cloud Services Forum and M2M Focus Group.