over the top (IPTV) (OTT)

Over-the-top (OTT) is a broadband Internet service for the transmission of video and audio. In the OTT concept, the video stream is delivered by a third party and transmitted directly from the provider to the end user's IP address. The provider is only responsible for the transmission of the IP packets, but not for their content, usage rights and forwarding. This is in contrast to other types of use such as pay TV, video-on-demand( VoD) or IPTV.

Both methods - over-the-top (OTT) and Internet television (IPTV) - use the Internet. While the OTT method is not managed by Internet service providers, IPTV works with a dedicated, managed network. The advantage is that no transmission modalities need to be negotiated and no investment in hardware is required. Over-the-top technology therefore has no defined quality of service( QoS) and operates according to the best- effort principle.

As a transmission protocol, OTT technology relies on the HTTP protocol and the underlying TCP protocol. Alternatively, adaptive streaming technologies from Apple, Microsoft and Adobe are increasingly being used, or the UDP protocol with forward error correction( FEC). Since peak data throughputs can rise sharply when OTT technology is used, the technology can only establish itself on the market if sufficient broadband Internet connections are available.