CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J.—Although a variety of companies are working toward creating a market for wireless streaming video, and carriers have talked up the technology, Probe Research in a new report questions whether the current success of streaming media on the wired Internet will translate to wireless anytime soon.
According to the firm, delays in third-generation network deployments, limited content-based billing systems, reduced capital expenditures by carriers and strong, well-established competitors may all work to hinder the market for wireless streaming media.
“The dearth of a mass of mobile terminals capable of decoding and displaying streaming media will remain the greatest hindrance to installation of equipment and applications in the network,” said David Chamberlain, research director for Probe’s wireless services. “Beyond that, consumer demand is still questionable given the amount of competition and limited content-based billing systems. Free and widespread availability of streaming audio and video in the form of broadcast radio and television are currently the two strongest competitors to streaming services on wireless.”
