Access network architecture for video distribution over copper pair

In this paper architectural implications of a video distribution service over copper-based access networks are presented. Different video services are considered, in particular video on demand, video broadcast and near video on demand and for each of them the different alternatives are presented. The paper analyses the implications in terms of network functionality in the access network equipment and network provisioning data handling and tries to give an overview of all the issues involved. Special emphasis is devoted to multicast functionality, to define how, where and when it must be supported in order to save precious bandwidth both in the access and in the backbone network.