Discussion Airtel IPTV uses wifi plan bandwidth & FUP data. Does that affect our overall internet experience?

[abhi1276]

What are the benefits of IPTV over regular DTH? As an Airtel Xstream Fiber customer, when will IPTV be available for existing fiber users to choose? If I upgrade my plan from ₹999 to ₹1099, I will get channels worth ₹350, but that was also the case with DTH. So, what’s the real advantage? Apart from less wiring and no outdoor unit (ODU), I have doubts about the performance of IPTV over Wi-Fi compared to wired DTH—unless I connect the IPTV box with an Ethernet cable.

For that you visit review and comparison thread but let me tell on airfiber you won't face any issue regarding playing channel or streaming ott on airfiber infact on 4g also the channel work perfect no buffering till now. It's been almost 3days I didn't face any downtime of internet in airfiber nor any issue in playing channel.

 

[Rushil]

For that you visit review and comparison thread but let me tell on airfiber you won't face any issue regarding playing channel or streaming ott on airfiber infact on 4g also the channel work perfect no buffering till now. It's been almost 3days I didn't face any downtime of internet in airfiber nor any issue in playing channel.

But I have a few technical questions. How will Airtel manage IPTV flawlessly on lower bandwidth plans such as 30–40 Mbps, or in case of congestion in AirFiber? Does IPTV have a dedicated channel, so the speed of the plan doesn’t matter in this scenario?

A good-quality HD channel typically requires around 3.5–4 MBit/s of bandwidth (28–32 Mbps). If someone is watching an HD channel on IPTV while another person is downloading or browsing the internet, will the system be able to handle the load without buffering or interruptions?

 

[Digital Mastermind]

But I have a few technical questions. How will Airtel manage IPTV flawlessly on lower bandwidth plans such as 30–40 Mbps, or in case of congestion in AirFiber? Does IPTV have a dedicated channel, so the speed of the plan doesn’t matter in this scenario?

A good-quality HD channel typically requires around 3.5–4 MBit/s of bandwidth (28–32 Mbps). If someone is watching an HD channel on IPTV while another person is downloading or browsing the internet, will the system be able to handle the load without buffering or interruptions?

I have answered this question before.

See HD and 4K channels can play even on 40 mbps speeds. I have checked it out, but not on any AirFiber but on BSNL FTTH. There was no issues in playback or any sort of buffering.

While I also use Airtel AirFiber at my office, there has been no issues in playing 4K Youtube Videos (HDR). Though IPTV is not yet available here, and i cannot use it at office, i wont be able to provide an first hand experience.

I personally feel that AirFiber can handle IPTV even on 40 mbps without any hiccups.

 

[Rushil]

I have answered this question before.

See HD and 4K channels can play even on 40 mbps speeds. I have checked it out, but not on any AirFiber but on BSNL FTTH. There was no issues in playback or any sort of buffering.

While I also use Airtel AirFiber at my office, there has been no issues in playing 4K Youtube Videos (HDR). Though IPTV is not yet available here, and i cannot use it at office, i wont be able to provide an first hand experience.

I personally feel that AirFiber can handle IPTV even on 40 mbps without any hiccups.

I know, bro. You can even run HD channels and 4K at 12–15 Mbps. I am considering it in comparison to DTH quality with a high bitrate. We all know the kind of compressed 4K or 1080p we get on OTT for now.

 

[Bapun]

Does IPTV have a dedicated channel, so the speed of the plan doesn’t matter in this scenario?

No, in case of Airtel IPTV, they don't seem to have dedicated VLAN ID assigned (something that even government operator like BSNL Fiber has implemented). They are only detecting whether the STB is connected to Airtel network to enable the TV channels viewing. So bandwidth and data of existing plan speed should be in use.

See HD and 4K channels can play even on 40 mbps speeds. I have checked it out, but not on any AirFiber but on BSNL FTTH. There was no issues in playback or any sort of buffering.

BSNL Fiber has assigned dedicated bandwidth via separate VLAN ID for IPTV, unlike Airtel which is sharing bandwidth from the customer's plan speed. Furthermore, BSNL IPTV data usage doesn't get counted towards the customer's fiber plan FUP.

Reference thread: BSNL IFTV (IPTV) and Internet on the Same LAN/Ethernet Cable – VLAN Binding Method

 

[Digital Mastermind]

BSNL Fiber has assigned dedicated bandwidth via separate VLAN ID for IPTV, unlike Airtel which is sharing bandwidth from the customer's plan speed. Furthermore, BSNL IPTV data usage doesn't get counted towards the FUP.

Reference thread: BSNL IFTV (IPTV) and Internet on the Same LAN/Ethernet Cable – VLAN Binding Method

I am not speaking about BSNL IPTV/IFTV here.

I am speaking about streaming live TV from OTT apps, youtube or even using Tata Play Binge STB to play Travel XP 4K channel.
For these data gets used from FUP, but as i said earlier there is no buffering not any hiccups even on 40 mbps plan.

 

[Rushil]

No, in case of Airtel IPTV, they don't seem to have dedicated VLAN ID assigned (something that even government operator like Fiber has implemented). They are only detecting whether the STB is connected to Airtel network to enable the TV channels viewing. So bandwidth of existing plan speed should be on use.

Then, for now, IPTV is not comparable to DTH at all, especially with the 3.3 TB cap for Fiber and the even smaller 1 TB cap for AirFiber users. If they don’t set up a separate VLAN, users might suffer in terms of quality.

 

[Digital Mastermind]

I know, bro. You can even run HD channels and 4K at 12–15 Mbps. I am considering it in comparison to DTH quality with a high bitrate. We all know the kind of compressed 4K or 1080p we get on OTT for now.

That can be only be checked, by a side by side comparison.

 

[Prithi Deb]

There should be separate speed and data bandwidth for IPTV streaming. It should not be shared with your fiber. Otherwise there's no real benefit compared to DTH other than not going through the hassle of installing antenna in restrictive society or buildings. Strictly avoid if you live in areas with monkey problems or regular development that is prone to fiber cuts. It has exactly the same packs, prices and channels. No discounted/subsidized rates as many expected. Everyone is/was considering it to be a competition of JioTV+, but it is a competitor of DTH in reality.

 

[Digital Mastermind]

I feel that IPTV in India is slowly maturing. It will have time for it to outshine, but it will happen soon.

Also I am hoping Airtel will also assigne dedicated bandwidth via separate VLAN ID for IPTV purpose for both FTTH and AirFiber.