An IP data transport method and system that makes efficient use of the subscriber
television system bandwidth and uses the existing structure and equipment of the
subscriber television system. The method allows several levels of IP data service
within a subscriber television system. A subnet connection is established between
an IP server in a headend and an external network. The existing communications
paths within a subscriber television system are used to establish an IP communications
route between the headend and a Home Communications Terminal (HCT). The data is
communicated in an Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) format. Encapsulating the
IP data into an MPEG format allows the existing systems to transport the IP data
in the same packet streams it uses for video, audio, and control data.
