eractive television is that it essentially provides another Web interface, or another way to access the Internet. Interactive television services are also likely to include various on-demand programming options and other services that allow the user to do things such as choose the decisions a character makes, or learn more about a specific subject on the news. The range of possibilities will become evident as the technology proliferates. Interactive television, especially as a method for Web access, is predicted to become a mainstay in residential markets. It is likely to bring the Web to broader audience because expensive home computers will no longer be necessary as Internet access terminals. Interactive television also promises a higher level of real-time user control than is possible with most services, enabled by greater device and network intelligence. OSS will be necessary to manage extremely dynamic user configuration, manage content and to monitor customer premises and head-end equipment closely. With increased complexity, there is more room for something to go wrong. Operators will wrestle, as they already do, with an extremely heterogeneous edge device environment. An IIC's network and device management burden will grow, as will its billing requirements. The Ultimate Guide to Building and Delivering OSS/BSS 2.2 Managing Where the Money Flows It is possible in an interactive television/streaming media environment for content to come from many sources. There are already streaming media services for music and others developing for television, movie theater-style entertainment and educational services. In theory, these services are, and will be, deliverable to any Internet access device, fixed or mobile. Mobile, cable and other Internet access providers own the gateway to the customer. If users can access services anywhere on the Internet - we will assume from approved, secure sites - the gatekeepers will not just provide the pipe. They will want to control where the money flows, raising the need for settl