CAMBRIDGE, U.K.-Mobile TV and video services could run into capacity constraints on third-generation networks in as little as two years, according to a new report from Analysys.
The report, “Making a Success of Mobile TV and Video,” said operators are offering streamed TV and video content on their underused 3G networks at attractive price points. But Analysis warns operators to carefully manage service usage, pricing and technology evolution. Although it will carry the vast majority of mobile TV and video services during the next five years, 3G technology has limited capacity to support the substantial network traffic generated by video streaming.
“The capacity of a typical W-CDMA network could be exceeded as soon as 2007, for example, if 40 percent of 3G users take up mobile TV and video services and each consumes only eight minutes of video per day,” said report co-author Dr. Alastair Brydon.
The report notes broadcasting technology will be necessary to handle peaks in demands, such as those created by major news stories. Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service, a feature of 3G networks that requires only small changes, is one such technology that could be available in 2007, said the report.
