Some observers view “over the top” as a term referring to video streaming services or to apps provided by hyperscalers such as Google or Meta. In that understanding, OTT means internet-delivered content or apps that end users can access, without the app provider having a formal business relationship with an internet service provider.
It is much more than that. In fact, OTT is the way all apps, content and services are delivered over any IP network, no matter what entity “owns” the apps, content or services. In other words, both a telco’s own products, and those of any other entity, using the internet for access, are delivered the same way: “over the top” of the transport and access functions, and in a disaggregated way.
What often is missed is the reality that IP imposes key business model constraints and possibilities. Even if some products sold by a “telco” or any other “public network” provider can be provided using some more-proprietary method--or a private IP network--the “normal” way all content, apps and services are provided in the internet era is using the public internet.
Fundamentally, that means most products can be created by any third party, and delivered to its users or customers, without the need for a formal business relationship with any internet service provider.
Everything is “permissionless.” In other words, no ISP can prevent any lawful internet app from being used by any ISP customer.
So “OTT” essentially refers to the method used by nearly every app or service to reach end users. “Direct to consumer” is an expression illustrating that principle.
So OTT illustrates the key principle of “disaggregation” as it applies to nearly every connectivity network as well as the foundational way apps, services and content now reach users and customers.
At a high level, the shift from proprietary to open source might be considered a form of disaggregation, as open source allows multiple hardware suppliers to use a common operating system, rather than each hardware supplier creating their own.
The mobile virtual mobile operator concept also illustrates the concept: network infrastructure ownership is separated from operating functions. Some might argue that the shift to cloud computing abstracts or disaggregates computing hardware from software; asset ownership; job functions and roles.
In similar fashion, the shift from proprietary to “open source” or “open” operating systems; object oriented programming; mobile virtual network operator business models; wholesale capacity and the internet in general provide other examples of disaggregation.
The full-on embrace of the TCP/IP framework for next-generation networking also separates and disaggregates “applications” from network ownership. By design, all apps can run on all networks. Access becomes permissionless. As an access provider, you control whether a person or entity can “connect” to IP and other networks for purposes of packet exchange.
No access provider can bar lawful applications used by its access customers, though. Application access and network access are formally separated.
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