InterStream^SMBroadband providers enable content providers to sustain a high quality connection to the consumer's premise.  As such, Broadband Providers have an enormous responsibility and presence in the InterStream economy.

The InterStream Association has four broad requirements for Broadband Providers to use the association service mark and offer InterStream service on their networks:

• Particpate as an InterStream Broadband Provider
  InterStream^SM broadband providers do, by definition, act as signatories under the association's Mediated Bandwidth Agreement (MBA).  This agreement enables them to connect with upstream InterStream^SM Transit providers  and ensure a high quality connection for streams end-to-end across the Internet. Although, the agreement does not require the broadband provider to peer with all upstream InterStream^SM Transit providers, it simplifies the business and technical interconnection process significantly.  
• Network Reliability and Quality
  InterStream's metering and escrow company, nuMetra, will insure that all transactions in the system meet the criteria established by the association. In addition to insuring high uptime, broadband providers in the assocation have one key metric that they must maintain, a low stream blocking probability
  Stream blocking probability refers to the likelihood of a streaming transaction not having sufficient capacity for the duration of the consumer experience. Numetra, meters this likelihood and will report the blocking probability back to the association.  No firm criteria has been set for the metric at this point.  The association is awaiting deployment to gain some experience with the requirements for insuring a high quality consumer experience.
  

• Marketing the InterStream Brand
  InterStream broadband providers are expected to market and promote the InterStream brand to their subscriber base.  Joint marketing activities will be promoted by the association.
• Optional Placement of InterStream Net-Top Software & Hardware
  InterStream net-top's are being designed to be offered through retail, e-tail, and traditional leasing methods used by cable and satellite TV companies today.
  InterStream^SM Broadband Providers may optionally distribute their own certified net-top systems to their customer base.  Since nuMetra will be offering a complete television service under its "base" InterStream portal, Broadband providers have both market and financial incentives to distribute their own net-top systems.  By distributing net-top systems themselves, Broadband Providers receive some signicant advantages.
1. Providers may choose to limit access to particular 'channels' in the InterStream Portal by establishing their own conditional access credentials in the system.  In other words, a participating broadband provider may "black-out" content that conflicts with their existing channel line-up. These credentials may also be optionally installed by customers who have purchased net-top systems through retail or e-tail outlets.
2. Providers may integrate the net-top software into their existing set-top offerings.  InterStream is currently negotiating an agreement with set-top makers who are willing to offer integrated devices on cable or other IPTV environments.

For further information, contact info@interstream.com.