MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Although the adoption rate of IP telephony is still low in China, the implementation of unified communications (UC) applications among the companies currently using IP telephony is encouraging.
In a new survey, independent telecoms analyst Ovum found that only 16 percent of the surveyed Chinese companies have already deployed IP telephony. This is the lowest adoption rate across the 12 countries surveyed. However, amongst the companies currently using UC, application is encouraging.
Based on the survey, more than 40 percent of current IP telephony enterprise users are deploying IM and PC soft clients. “For cultural reasons, IM is considered one of the most popular and important communication approaches by enterprises in China. Chinese users prefer typing to talking at work,” said Jane Wang, senior analyst. Softphone is perceived as an affordable alternative to IP desk phones and a way to reduce telephony costs, and has attracted increasing interest from large enterprises.
“Low return on investment and the complexity of updating existing systems have been major barriers for enterprises deploying IP telephony. The migration costs and subsequent maintenance expenses of on-premise solutions are still considered high. The hardware costs are also high,” added Wang, who is based in Beijing.
The average price of IP desk phones in China is approximately $300 and hasn't declined significantly in the past few years. These high costs mean that vendors have to work hard to address customers' concerns and convince enterprises that IP telephony is more than just another voice solution. They need to present successful case studies with clear business gains and reduce the burden involved in migrating to and maintaining the new technology.
Wang suggests that vendors and service providers should reduce the entry costs of IP telephony to attract customers who are likely to subsequently buy new UC applications.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Broadcasters have no cause for panic over rise of non-linear TV
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Despite the growth of on-demand video and recording technologies such as the digital video recorder (DVR), the vast bulk of consumer television viewing time is still expected to be devoted to real-time, linear programming through the year 2015, according to the IHS Screen Digest TV Intelligence Service.
DVR, on-demand and other forms of nonlinear programming will account for only 15.8 percent of television viewing in the United States in 2015, up from 9.9 percent in 2010, with the remainder made up by traditional linear TV watching. In the United Kingdom, nonlinear will account for 12.7 percent of television viewing in 2015, up from 7.8 percent in 2010.
Nonlinear television is defined as non-traditional means of viewing that enables place- and timeshifting. This contrasts with traditional linear television, where viewers must watch a scheduled TV program at the time it’s broadcasted, and on the channel it's presented on.
“The rise of nonlinear television has struck panic into the television industry, with broadcasters dreading the impact of new technologies on their revenue streams,” said Richard Broughton, senior analyst, television, for IHS. “However, even in the leading countries for nonlinear television viewing—the United States and the United Kingdom—linear will account for the vast majority of television viewing through 2015. This means that for the television industry, DVR and on-demand viewing may not be as much of an imminent threat to profitability as feared.”
Other countries are expected to have even lower rates of nonlinear television viewing, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The rate of nonlinear television viewing via on-demand services is actually trailing the usage of DVRs, which have entered the mainstream in the most developed markets. Already rolled out to one-third of U.S. television homes, DVRs by the end of 2015 will have penetrated almost half of all American households.
In contrast, on-demand services still suffer from a number of issues that have led to their underuse compared to DVRs. Content fragmentation and restrictions across different portals and services mean that for most consumers, on-demand services offer much less variety in content than an array of linear channels from a cable or satellite operator. This will be an important constraining factor in the future and as more households gain access to video on-demand services, one of the main limitations on consumer usage of on-demand.
A further reason for the limited penetration of nonlinear TV viewing is that TV broadcasters are taking steps that will help to retain viewers of traditional linear broadcasting by offering more high-definition (HD) content.
“Linear TV has not stood still as non-linear distribution mechanisms have developed,” Broughton said. “Alongside the evolution of Internet video and DVR technology, broadcasters have introduced HD channels, now received by more than 40 percent of US households. In contrast, the Internet in many markets still struggles to cope with HD content and the high bandwidths required for its delivery. Streaming HD remains relatively rare, and downloading takes time, diminishing the appeal for consumers.”
DVR, on-demand and other forms of nonlinear programming will account for only 15.8 percent of television viewing in the United States in 2015, up from 9.9 percent in 2010, with the remainder made up by traditional linear TV watching. In the United Kingdom, nonlinear will account for 12.7 percent of television viewing in 2015, up from 7.8 percent in 2010.
Nonlinear television is defined as non-traditional means of viewing that enables place- and timeshifting. This contrasts with traditional linear television, where viewers must watch a scheduled TV program at the time it’s broadcasted, and on the channel it's presented on.
“The rise of nonlinear television has struck panic into the television industry, with broadcasters dreading the impact of new technologies on their revenue streams,” said Richard Broughton, senior analyst, television, for IHS. “However, even in the leading countries for nonlinear television viewing—the United States and the United Kingdom—linear will account for the vast majority of television viewing through 2015. This means that for the television industry, DVR and on-demand viewing may not be as much of an imminent threat to profitability as feared.”
Other countries are expected to have even lower rates of nonlinear television viewing, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The rate of nonlinear television viewing via on-demand services is actually trailing the usage of DVRs, which have entered the mainstream in the most developed markets. Already rolled out to one-third of U.S. television homes, DVRs by the end of 2015 will have penetrated almost half of all American households.
In contrast, on-demand services still suffer from a number of issues that have led to their underuse compared to DVRs. Content fragmentation and restrictions across different portals and services mean that for most consumers, on-demand services offer much less variety in content than an array of linear channels from a cable or satellite operator. This will be an important constraining factor in the future and as more households gain access to video on-demand services, one of the main limitations on consumer usage of on-demand.
A further reason for the limited penetration of nonlinear TV viewing is that TV broadcasters are taking steps that will help to retain viewers of traditional linear broadcasting by offering more high-definition (HD) content.
“Linear TV has not stood still as non-linear distribution mechanisms have developed,” Broughton said. “Alongside the evolution of Internet video and DVR technology, broadcasters have introduced HD channels, now received by more than 40 percent of US households. In contrast, the Internet in many markets still struggles to cope with HD content and the high bandwidths required for its delivery. Streaming HD remains relatively rare, and downloading takes time, diminishing the appeal for consumers.”
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
June shipment of LCD monitors by brands and SIs rose from the trough
TAIWAN: According to the shipment survey of world's top ten LCD monitors by WitsView, the research institute WitsView under TrendForce, in June 2011, due to the demand from commercial markets and the active digestion of channel inventory, the demand-pull of distributors gradually recovered, shipment rose from the trough, and it grew 13.1 percent MoM relative to May, a total of 11.84 million units; system integrators benefited from the recovery of demand-pull from the U.S. and the Chinese brands, shipment was up 2.9 percent MoM relative to May, a total of 12.66 million units.
Although brand shipments re-stabilized in June, the overall economic conditions and the end-market demand must be taken into account to determine whether the demand-pull will continue or become short-lived.
Observed from the June inventory of system integrators, due to the demand-pull recovery from the US brands and June being the end of an accounting quarter for system integrators, and also due to the pressure from the semi-annual reports, the inventory levels were deliberately reduced, which resulted in a drop of overall inventory level of finished goods.
In addition to the strict inventory control by the system integrators, upstream panel makers also wanted to adjust the excess inventory on hand through lowering the production capacity utilization, while downstream brands maintained a conservative strategy to pull goods; when facing an uncertain buying atmosphere in the second half of the year at the same, the overall supply chains consistently maintain a conservative and careful attitude.
WitsView analyst, Anita Wang, indicated that as long as the upstream panel makers control their production capacity effectively, the hidden worries about an excess supply of panels should not spread, then the overall monitor industry will gradually be in a healthy condition.
At present, WitsView maintains a cautiously optimistic attitude about the third quarter shipment of LCD monitors, brand shipment is expected to have a growth of 5-8%. However, the demand-pull situation of LCD monitor in the third quarter will be indirectly affected by the demand for TV. If the demand for TV does not improve, then psychological factors such as panel production capacity and the demand for TV will affect the demand for monitor panels and fluctuation of prices.
Therefore, WitsView stresses once again that factors such as the adjustment conditions of panel production capacity and the demand for TV will be a major focus that affects the market variations in the second half of the year.
Source: WitsView, Taiwan.
Although brand shipments re-stabilized in June, the overall economic conditions and the end-market demand must be taken into account to determine whether the demand-pull will continue or become short-lived.
Observed from the June inventory of system integrators, due to the demand-pull recovery from the US brands and June being the end of an accounting quarter for system integrators, and also due to the pressure from the semi-annual reports, the inventory levels were deliberately reduced, which resulted in a drop of overall inventory level of finished goods.
In addition to the strict inventory control by the system integrators, upstream panel makers also wanted to adjust the excess inventory on hand through lowering the production capacity utilization, while downstream brands maintained a conservative strategy to pull goods; when facing an uncertain buying atmosphere in the second half of the year at the same, the overall supply chains consistently maintain a conservative and careful attitude.
WitsView analyst, Anita Wang, indicated that as long as the upstream panel makers control their production capacity effectively, the hidden worries about an excess supply of panels should not spread, then the overall monitor industry will gradually be in a healthy condition.
At present, WitsView maintains a cautiously optimistic attitude about the third quarter shipment of LCD monitors, brand shipment is expected to have a growth of 5-8%. However, the demand-pull situation of LCD monitor in the third quarter will be indirectly affected by the demand for TV. If the demand for TV does not improve, then psychological factors such as panel production capacity and the demand for TV will affect the demand for monitor panels and fluctuation of prices.
Therefore, WitsView stresses once again that factors such as the adjustment conditions of panel production capacity and the demand for TV will be a major focus that affects the market variations in the second half of the year.
Source: WitsView, Taiwan.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Comparative tablet teardowns reveal iPad design advantages
EL SEGUNDO, USA: In the 15 months since the introduction of the iPad, competitive tablet manufacturers still can’t match the design efficiency of Apple Inc.’s groundbreaking product, according to an IHS iSuppli Teardown Analysis of eight tablet models.
“Since Apple controls both the operating system and hardware design of the iPad, it is able to attain design efficiencies that other tablet manufacturers cannot,” said Wayne Lam, senior analyst, competitive analysis, at IHS. “These efficiencies become obvious in areas like the memory and the battery, where Apple maintains advantages in cost, space savings and performance compared with every competitor in the business.”
Other tablet makers employ operating systems from third-party firms—such as Google Inc., which provides the Android software used in most competitive products on the market today. Many of these tablet makers also outsource the blueprints of their products to third parties, employing reference designs and design services from contract manufacturers.
This contrasts with the model employed by Apple, which uses its own operating system and maintains tight control of its design, components and contract manufacturers.
“Apple takes a vertically integrated approach to its products, from the operating system to the user interface, to the hardware design, down to the selection of individual parts used in the device,” Lam noted. “For example, Apple even uses its own applications processor design in both the iPad and iPad 2. In contrast, Android tablet makers buy those capabilities from the likes of Nvidia, Texas Instruments and Qualcomm. This gives Apple greater control in multiple areas of product development.”
The table below presents an overview of the results of the dissection of eight tablet models. Note that the BOM figures accounts only for hardware and manufacturing costs and do not take into consideration other expenses such as software, licensing, royalties or other costs.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
iPad’s memory and battery stay slim
Apple’s control over the operating system allows it to reduce costs by limiting the quantity of memory in the iPad. In the current-generation iPad 2, the density of synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) is 512 megabytes—half that of the 1 gigabtye used in competitive designs. This memory density reduction results in a nearly $14 reduction in the BOM of the iPad 2 compared to other tablets. Likewise, the original iPad contained half as much SDRAM as comparable competitive devices with single-core applications processors.
“The iPad’s efficient memory usage stems from the fundamental difference in the architecture of the operating system,” Lam said. “Apple’s iOS handles multitasking differently than other tablet operating systems, allowing it to reduce the amount of memory required to support the microprocessor.”
Also, Apple’s tight management of its product design, software integration and component selection also allow the iPad’s battery to be the thinnest of all competing tablet designs while still having the largest capacity.
Tablet trends
Extensive teardown research also reveals how Apple is setting the pace in the tablet market in the areas of pricing and screen size.
Apple established the sweet spot for tablet pricing, pegged at $500 for the Wi-Fi version of the Apple iPad that included 16 gigabytes of NAND flash memory. Samsung reinforced this pricing standard with the 16-gigabyte version of the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 model.
Other tablets such as the BlackBerry Playbook from Research in Motion Ltd. and the TouchPad from Hewlett-Packard Co. have gravitated toward that price point as well.
Apple also is setting the standard for display sizes, with the iPad’s 9.7-inch screen becoming the default standard in the market. Although some tablets have been introduced with screens in the 7-inch range, notably RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook and the upcoming HTC Flyer, the number of designs in the market with 10.1- and 9.7-inch displays have been more plentiful.
“Dual-ing” tablets
The IHS iSuppli Teardown Analysis Service also illustrates the trend toward multi-core processors in tablet designs. Following the introduction of the Motorola Xoom in February and the iPad 2 in March, all new tablet designs within 2011 have included dual-core processors that deliver higher computing and graphical performance.
In 2012 IHS expects to see this trend to continue with the introduction of tablets featuring quad-core processors for even more enhanced performance.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
“Since Apple controls both the operating system and hardware design of the iPad, it is able to attain design efficiencies that other tablet manufacturers cannot,” said Wayne Lam, senior analyst, competitive analysis, at IHS. “These efficiencies become obvious in areas like the memory and the battery, where Apple maintains advantages in cost, space savings and performance compared with every competitor in the business.”
Other tablet makers employ operating systems from third-party firms—such as Google Inc., which provides the Android software used in most competitive products on the market today. Many of these tablet makers also outsource the blueprints of their products to third parties, employing reference designs and design services from contract manufacturers.
This contrasts with the model employed by Apple, which uses its own operating system and maintains tight control of its design, components and contract manufacturers.
“Apple takes a vertically integrated approach to its products, from the operating system to the user interface, to the hardware design, down to the selection of individual parts used in the device,” Lam noted. “For example, Apple even uses its own applications processor design in both the iPad and iPad 2. In contrast, Android tablet makers buy those capabilities from the likes of Nvidia, Texas Instruments and Qualcomm. This gives Apple greater control in multiple areas of product development.”
The table below presents an overview of the results of the dissection of eight tablet models. Note that the BOM figures accounts only for hardware and manufacturing costs and do not take into consideration other expenses such as software, licensing, royalties or other costs.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.iPad’s memory and battery stay slim
Apple’s control over the operating system allows it to reduce costs by limiting the quantity of memory in the iPad. In the current-generation iPad 2, the density of synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) is 512 megabytes—half that of the 1 gigabtye used in competitive designs. This memory density reduction results in a nearly $14 reduction in the BOM of the iPad 2 compared to other tablets. Likewise, the original iPad contained half as much SDRAM as comparable competitive devices with single-core applications processors.
“The iPad’s efficient memory usage stems from the fundamental difference in the architecture of the operating system,” Lam said. “Apple’s iOS handles multitasking differently than other tablet operating systems, allowing it to reduce the amount of memory required to support the microprocessor.”
Also, Apple’s tight management of its product design, software integration and component selection also allow the iPad’s battery to be the thinnest of all competing tablet designs while still having the largest capacity.
Tablet trends
Extensive teardown research also reveals how Apple is setting the pace in the tablet market in the areas of pricing and screen size.
Apple established the sweet spot for tablet pricing, pegged at $500 for the Wi-Fi version of the Apple iPad that included 16 gigabytes of NAND flash memory. Samsung reinforced this pricing standard with the 16-gigabyte version of the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 model.
Other tablets such as the BlackBerry Playbook from Research in Motion Ltd. and the TouchPad from Hewlett-Packard Co. have gravitated toward that price point as well.
Apple also is setting the standard for display sizes, with the iPad’s 9.7-inch screen becoming the default standard in the market. Although some tablets have been introduced with screens in the 7-inch range, notably RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook and the upcoming HTC Flyer, the number of designs in the market with 10.1- and 9.7-inch displays have been more plentiful.
“Dual-ing” tablets
The IHS iSuppli Teardown Analysis Service also illustrates the trend toward multi-core processors in tablet designs. Following the introduction of the Motorola Xoom in February and the iPad 2 in March, all new tablet designs within 2011 have included dual-core processors that deliver higher computing and graphical performance.
In 2012 IHS expects to see this trend to continue with the introduction of tablets featuring quad-core processors for even more enhanced performance.
Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.
Is China Mobile a potential player in cable industry?
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: There has been speculation recently about the possibility of China Mobile investing in cable operators and funding the upgrade of the cable-TV networks in China to support broadband. However, as they both report to different government agencies (MIIT and SARFT), this is unlikely to happen, according to Ovum.
In a new report*, the independent telecoms analyst claims that investment from China Mobile in cable operators would enable China Mobile to gain ownership of a fixed access network, and would provide cable operators with secure capital to upgrade their networks to support digital services. However, although China Mobile needs fixed network assets to complete its services portfolio and cable operators are searching for funds to complete their network upgrades, there are major barriers that are unlikely to be overcome.
Jane Wang, Ovum senior analyst and author of the report, commented: “Different regulators will limit cross-investment. Indeed, for China Mobile to become a major stakeholder in the cable industry, a multi-regulator approach would be required.” However, both government agencies will seek to protect their own interests and those of their industries.
“Competition between the two could only be resolved by the central government adopting a national broadband network plan similar to the one in Australia. However, such a plan was not included in China’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2011–2015), released this year.”
China Mobile’s 2011 capex plan focuses on investments in its mobile network. Significant investments in fixed infrastructure and services are not on the agenda.
Small-scale cooperation between China Mobile and cable operators in some cities or provinces has been seen. However, as a listed company, China Mobile must seek stakeholder agreement for the large-scale investment that would be required in a national cable network.
“Cross-industry investment has rarely been allowed among state-owned companies and China Mobile shows no sign of such investment in the near future,” concluded Ms Wang.
In a new report*, the independent telecoms analyst claims that investment from China Mobile in cable operators would enable China Mobile to gain ownership of a fixed access network, and would provide cable operators with secure capital to upgrade their networks to support digital services. However, although China Mobile needs fixed network assets to complete its services portfolio and cable operators are searching for funds to complete their network upgrades, there are major barriers that are unlikely to be overcome.
Jane Wang, Ovum senior analyst and author of the report, commented: “Different regulators will limit cross-investment. Indeed, for China Mobile to become a major stakeholder in the cable industry, a multi-regulator approach would be required.” However, both government agencies will seek to protect their own interests and those of their industries.
“Competition between the two could only be resolved by the central government adopting a national broadband network plan similar to the one in Australia. However, such a plan was not included in China’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2011–2015), released this year.”
China Mobile’s 2011 capex plan focuses on investments in its mobile network. Significant investments in fixed infrastructure and services are not on the agenda.
Small-scale cooperation between China Mobile and cable operators in some cities or provinces has been seen. However, as a listed company, China Mobile must seek stakeholder agreement for the large-scale investment that would be required in a national cable network.
“Cross-industry investment has rarely been allowed among state-owned companies and China Mobile shows no sign of such investment in the near future,” concluded Ms Wang.
IEEE releases new National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) 2012 edition
PISCATAWAY, USA: IEEE, the world's largest professional association advancing technology for humanity, announced the availability of the new National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) – 2012 Edition.
Produced exclusively by IEEE, the NESC provides practical guidance to help safeguard employees and the public when electrical supply and communications lines are installed operated and maintained, including overhead and underground electrical supply lines, telephone or cable and TV lines, and signal and power installations for railroads.
“The NESC continues to be the industry standard in the electrical industry and communications utility field,” said Michael Hyland, chair, NESC Committee and senior VP of Engineering Services for the American Public Power Association (APPA). “A tremendous amount of effort has gone into the creation of the 2012 edition over the past five years and we’d like to thank everyone involved in the complex revisions process. We are happy to have had the opportunity to take part in this project and are very pleased with its final outcome.”
Some of the revisions in the NESC 2012 edition include:
* Scope, application and definition rules extensively revised to provide clarification improvements, particularly with respect to whether the NESC or the National Electrical Code (NEC) (NFPA 70) applies in certain situations.
* Grounding rules added specificity to the methods to be used to help achieve effective grounding connections.
* Electrical supply stations rules added options for improved protection of energized parts from interference by activities outside the stations and for guarding inside the stations. The overhead general rules revised requirements for inspections and for facilities to be grounded or insulated.
* Underground rules revised the inspection rules and clarified requirements for direct-buried cables and conduits not part of a conduit system.
* Work rules added options for determining appropriate arc ratings for apparel to be worn while working on energized lines, including a new Section on Clothing requirements for <1000 Volts and added maximum clearing times allowed for specified apparel arc ratings.
* Revised the minimum approach distances (MADs) to meet the requirements of IEEE 516-2009, and revised specification for the location of employee protective grounds.
Produced exclusively by IEEE, the NESC provides practical guidance to help safeguard employees and the public when electrical supply and communications lines are installed operated and maintained, including overhead and underground electrical supply lines, telephone or cable and TV lines, and signal and power installations for railroads.
“The NESC continues to be the industry standard in the electrical industry and communications utility field,” said Michael Hyland, chair, NESC Committee and senior VP of Engineering Services for the American Public Power Association (APPA). “A tremendous amount of effort has gone into the creation of the 2012 edition over the past five years and we’d like to thank everyone involved in the complex revisions process. We are happy to have had the opportunity to take part in this project and are very pleased with its final outcome.”
Some of the revisions in the NESC 2012 edition include:
* Scope, application and definition rules extensively revised to provide clarification improvements, particularly with respect to whether the NESC or the National Electrical Code (NEC) (NFPA 70) applies in certain situations.
* Grounding rules added specificity to the methods to be used to help achieve effective grounding connections.
* Electrical supply stations rules added options for improved protection of energized parts from interference by activities outside the stations and for guarding inside the stations. The overhead general rules revised requirements for inspections and for facilities to be grounded or insulated.
* Underground rules revised the inspection rules and clarified requirements for direct-buried cables and conduits not part of a conduit system.
* Work rules added options for determining appropriate arc ratings for apparel to be worn while working on energized lines, including a new Section on Clothing requirements for <1000 Volts and added maximum clearing times allowed for specified apparel arc ratings.
* Revised the minimum approach distances (MADs) to meet the requirements of IEEE 516-2009, and revised specification for the location of employee protective grounds.
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