ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Air Force District of Washington Communications Directorate and the 744th Communications Squadron are proud to announce the newest addition to the capabilities and services provided to Andrews: Internet Protocol Television.
IPTV uses streaming video through the base local area network to allow national capital region network users on Andrews to view selected television channels directly on their desktop computers. Additionally, televisions throughout the base currently receiving cable TV service can use IPTV technology with a Set Top Box (similar to a cable TV box) connected to the base local area network.
Andrews IPTV service provides seven channels: Commander's Access Channel, CNN, The Weather Channel, Fox News, MSNBC, and local stations WJLA 7 (ABC) and WUSA 9 (CBS).
In accordance with AFDW operational guidance and in cooperation with the 89th Airlift Wing, most AFDW and 89 AW CATV users will convert to the new IPTV configuration by Saturday. Once the installation is complete, the operating costs for IPTV will drop from $670 for each cable drop every year to about $10 per year. The total cost savings should exceed $55,000 per year. Tenant unit CATV users connected to the AFNCR network domain may elect to use Andrews' IPTV service and realize this savings after purchasing a set top box (a one-time fee of $300).
The introduction of IPTV should not affect network transmission speeds. IPTV uses a technology called IP multicasting which requires the source to send a packet only once, even if it must be delivered to a large number of recipients. The network nodes replicate the packet to reach multiple receivers only where necessary. Regardless of how many users are watching IPTV at a given time, the strain on the network is negligible.
The 744 CS will provide unit Telephone Control Officers with support guides to assist with most issues that could arise with the service. Additionally, the 744 CS Help Desk is ready to provide support for issues which unit TCOs can't resolve.
Once opperational, users on the AFNCR network can access IPTV from their desktop computer by typing "IPTV" (without the quotation marks) into the internet browser address bar, or by acquiring a Set top box for viewing on a television set. Tenant units desiring to receive IPTV should contact their unit TCO to submit a request to base communications.