Akim Benamara , head of marketing and communication , ABOX42 ( CommunicAsia2018 booth 1H4-01 ), explains the company ’ s strategy in helping service providers deliver the best content over multiple platforms .

Some observers are predicting an unstoppable migration to a media consumption world without set-top boxes ( STBs ). As an STB manufacturer , what is ABOX42 ’ s response to this statement , and can you explain why the STB remains relevant today , and into the future ? Akim Benamara : ABOX42 is well aware of the fact that some operators dream about a world without their own STB devices . Honestly , we do not believe in this scenario . Especially when it comes to IPTV or hybrid TV services , it is crucial to have full control over the hardware , software and lifecycle . Otherwise , operators are not in the driver seat for their service offerings , which will have a severe impact if any breaking technology change occurs . ( For example , firmware update of the Smart TV or streaming device vendor .)

In such a scenario , the service is impacted immediately for all customers and a roll back is impossible . We have seen various examples already where operators have really suffered — if you ask them , they will tell you very loud and clear why an “ operator as an app ” model does not work .

The next challenge is service compatibility . With a number of devices and manufacturers , the challenge is to maintain the apps for all these different devices and generations of devices . For example , smart TV manufacturers change their models every year and even undergo massive changes of the underlaying software stack . This means that the operator has to adopt to any new model and maintain compatibility with legacy devices for multiple years .

If you look at the challenges and risks and compare them to the opportunities of a well-managed TV service based on an own STB device , it is evident that an operator who needs to maintain a TV service 24 / 7 , 365 days a year , should not put his core business at risk .

We talk to many operators and most share our view . So , a well-managed first screen service based on an operator STB is key , but of course , there is also a trend to offer multi-screen services that include both mobile devices and streaming devices .

Can you also explain how ABOX42 ’ s STB technology is supporting operators ’ needs to deliver content over multiple platforms and formats ? What are some of the highlights visitors can expect to see at your booth this year ? Benamara : We have to look at this from different angles . First of all , ABOX42 provides a solid and very mature software stack that supports all core technologies ( streaming formats , codecs , containers , DRM systems ) needed for a compelling TV service , including all essential functions ( live TV , on-demand , local and / or network PVR and timeshift , restart TV ).

At CommunicAsia2018 , we are also showing how first and second devices work together , that is , content

discovery on mobile and content consumption on the first screen TV set via the ABOX42 STB . With a swipe , you can start watching the content on your TV set , which you may have just discovered on your mobile device .

Next to the feature-rich software stack and the interaction between first and second screen devices , we see a trend for multi-application products . Operators like to keep their subscribers ( customers ) on HDMI 1 , and want to prevent them from watching other services via other devices . To that end , they like to include

ABOX42 ’ s set-top box technology is supporting the delivery of content over multiple platforms and formats , including 4K / Ultra HD .

— Akim Benamara , Head of Marketing and Communication , ABOX42

a managed app portal with essential apps , which complement the operator ’ s service offering and provide access to compelling on-demand services ; YouTube and video-on-demand ( VoD ), for instance .

How are emerging trends and technologies , including IP and HEVC / H . 265 , impacting ABOX42 ’ s STB product roadmap ? Benamara : With the trend towards 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ), there is a need for more efficient streaming of content . Thus , H . 265 / HEVC is essential for 4K / UHD content — especially with IP content distribution — due to bandwidth limitations and streaming costs . We nevertheless see , as well , a growing trend of operators offering IPTV services to further reduce the streaming cost , which is caused by longer watching hours and the trend towards on-demand content — delivered via Unicast in any case .

With H . 265 / HEVC , you can achieve approximately 40 % bandwidth reduction , which makes a big difference . Overall , ABOX42 is closely working with operators and service providers to follow the roadmap of services and technologies needed for a successful product . This means that we need to be flexible , and able to perform changes and upgrade our platforms over time for changing requirements .