Home networks: the new frontier for media and communications

Home networks are becoming more complex and dynamic as emerging technologies enable multiple services to be delivered to multiple users and devices in the home, according to a new report by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

The report, Developments in Home Networks, looks at trends in technology and product developments over the past year for homeowners, service providers and those delivering communications and media services to the home.

Developments in access networks, service and device convergence, and the evolution of multimedia services are changing the home network environment. Providing high-speed connectivity, interoperability and portability of services via the last few metres of network in the home is an area of considerable industry innovation and activity.

The aim of this report is to identify technological developments and product migration issues for homeowners, service providers and those in the industry involved with enabling service delivery in the home beyond the network boundary, where the consumer has an increasingly active role.

Commenting on the report, ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman said: “These new dynamics present both opportunities and challenges for consumers, industry and regulators.”

Home networks are evolving from simple dedicated services delivered by a single provider to a more complex, shared network that can be integrated and customised to deliver a range of services from multiple providers.

Emerging IP-based services such as health monitoring, security, home automation, entertainment and social networking accessible via home networks will reshape the user experience. For example, a home network could be configured to have all devices store digital media content to a centralised server that could be conveniently accessed by any device within the home or remotely via the internet.

The home network of the future will require more configuration and ongoing support and will also require more coordination between the consumer and service providers.

The customer is increasingly responsible for the home network infrastructure with more emphasis on the service provider to cater for the end-to-end service requirements including some home network equipment. This is an area where information and skills may be needed to allow consumers to achieve a reliable and secure home networking experience.

The report provides an interesting snapshot of the converging services and of some of the associated challenges for customers grappling with networking basics. The report can be downloaded from the ACMA website at www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD..PC/pc=PC_312456.