LTE Broadcast technology looks set to take on the streaming video challenge of mobile networks ahead of expected 5G deployments.
On this week’s “Carrier Wrap” we speak with Expway on the current state of LTE Broadcast technology and how it can help mobile operators handle the stifling impact of streaming video services.
LTE Broadcast has been part of the LTE technology standard for years, with a number of operators having trialed various forms of the technology in their attempts to deal with the tremendous capacity impact from a large number of mobile customers attempting to access streaming video content.
The LTE Broadcast standard, also known as evolved multimedia broadcast multicast service, is designed to more efficiently transmit live video events to a large number of mobile devices. Instead of each individual device using a dedicated LTE channel to connect to video content, the LTE Broadcast offering would allow for a carrier to stream the content one-way to be received by enabled devices. This is expected to allow for more efficient use of spectrum.
Verizon Wireless began trialing the service under the “LTE Multicast” brand in early 2014, at both that year’s Super Bowl and Indianapolis 500 events, while AT&T tapped the technology at the College Football Playoff Championship in 2015.
On this week’s show, we speak with Ulla Saari, VP of business development strategic accounts at Expway, to get an update on the development of the technology as well as how it can be used by mobile operators to better handle the distribution of streaming video content.
Expway recently touted the integration of its LTE Broadcast middleware technology with Australian mobile operator Telstra as part of its On-Demand LTE Broadcast service. Expway explained the service is designed to detect an “increase in demand for popular content, like headline news or sports championships, and automatically switches from streaming in standard unicast to optimized LTE Broadcast. It also reverts back to unicast with a reduction in user demand.”
Thanks for watching this week’s show, and make sure to check out our next “Carrier Wrap” when we take a look at top video highlights from the Competitive Carriers Association Mobile Carriers Show.
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