1 Type of Question

Question intended to lead to a set of Recommendations.

2 Motivation

The growing use of computer-based platforms together with standard computer networks in production and editing of television and audio programmes stimulates the use of IP-based transmission for all kinds of applications from the origin of television/sound programmes to the consumer's home.

In contrast to the widespread use of IP techniques for Internet applications, contribution and primary distribution applications demand more stringent performance objectives from the network.

There are two basic categories to be considered, namely real-time streaming which is a time-critical application and non-real-time file transfer. In the latter case, the requirement to transport large files in a short time leads to a particular type of traffic profile.

There is a growing use of non-specialized equipment supporting different applications as a multi-service platform. This approach may provide an economic and user-friendly solution.

3 Questions

3.1 Streaming applications

• What are the service requirements applicable to the transport of video and audio signals via contribution and primary distribution networks?
• Which protocols are appropriate for streaming applications in order to guarantee the required Quality of Service?

3.2 Fast file transfer applications

• Which protocols are appropriate for fast file transfer applications maintaining content integrity?

• Which are the mechanisms to provide unicast, multicast and broadcast facilities with these protocols?

4 Expected results and anticipated target dates

It is expected that this Question will result in the preparation of a set of new Recommendations by the end of 2002.

5 Relationships

Liaison with the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), ITU-T SG 13 and ITU-R SG 6 is required in the study of this Question.