The Benefits of DVB-NIP for Satellite Operators

DVB-NIP is a standard for satellite and terrestrial broadcasting that bridges the gaps between broadcast and broadband networks allowing for an elegant convergence of media distribution technologies.

DVB-NIP: Setting a New Standard for Satellite Operators

The DVB-NIP (Native IP) Standard was approved by the DVB Steering Committee in February 2022 and formally adopted by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in September 2024.

The standard is entirely based on an IP protocol stack that no longer relies on the MPEG2 Transport Stream layer for the multiplexing of video and audio into data streams.  This allows a single broadcast signal to provide large-scale content delivery to cable head ends, CDN caches, and mobile tower sites, while also delivering consumer applications, such as Direct to Home (DTH) and streaming to IP devices.

DVB-NIP leverages interoperability with other DVB standards to construct a complete, end-to-end framework. Amongst these other standards are DVB-MABR for multicast adaptive bit rate distribution, DVB-AVC and DVB-DASH stream formatting for AV coding, and DVB-I for program metadata and service discovery.

Satellite Operators directly benefit from the adoption of the DVB-NIP standard.

The Benefits of DVB-NIP for Satellite Operators Include:

1 - Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings

With DVB-NIP, Satellite Operators are able to run their Broadcast and Over The Top (OTT) services on a single, integrated platform.  This reduces technical complexity and reduces hardware, integration, and support expense at both the headend and the edge.  This allows operators to reduce their capital, operational, and labor expense.  Further savings is realized by the more efficient use of bandwidth associated with DVB-NIP.

2 - Increased Revenue Opportunities

The convergence of broadcast and broadband technologies made possible by DVB-NIP enables OTT providers to leverage satellite to extend the reach of their solutions.  Maritime and Beyond the Grid communities can now more-readily be reached via satellite. This creates new revenue opportunities for applications across a range of applications in government, education, and healthcare.

3 - Stream directly to Personal Devices

With the ability to deliver CMAF/DASH/HLS content, Native IP delivery allows Direct to Home (DTH) services to reach connected devices including smartphones, tablets, and Smart TVs.  This offers viewers a multi-screen, multi-device experiences without rebuffering and latency issues.

4 - Backhaul services for OTT

High consumer demand and limitations of terrestrial networks create challenges for OTT providers in providing a consistent, high-quality viewer experience.  Within a DVB-NIP framework, satellite offers incredible utility to OTT providers in allowing heavily viewed content to be cached closer to the network edge and to leverage MABR (multicast adaptive bit rate) for streaming of popular live events, like the Olympics or Super Bowl.  This creates service and revenue opportunities for satellite operators.  In addition, it offers OTT providers a solution for attaining service scalability at predictable cost.

5 - Diverse Ecosystem of Headend and Consumer Equipment

As with any standard, DVB-NIP helps facilitate establishment of an ecosystem of interoperable solutions at both the headend and network edge, fostering innovation and competition.  This improves quality and lowers risk for satellite operators.

Kencast and the Skyflow Alliance

Kencast is a proud member of the SkyFlow alliance.  Our membership has allowed us to integrate with, and gain valuable insights from, several of the founding DVB-NIP standard committee members.  This offers us unique market differentiation that we can share with you.

If you'd like to learn more about Skyflow and how KenCast can deliver substantial benefits to your operation, then speak to our team.