BUCHAREST, Romania-Streaming video is a technology that is often mentioned in conjunction with third-generation (3G) networks, but users may see its possibilities sooner than 3G network rollouts.
Streaming media is the ability to receive video alerts, wireless games, short video clips, and news and sports on mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) through a wireless network. Several companies, including Adeptra, PacketVideo and Lucent Technologies, are working to introduce streaming media to the market.
U.K.-based Adeptra has developed the VideoCast Mobile Alert System (VMAS), which provides user-defined video alerts via PDAs. VMAS uses software called VideoCast that was developed by Atrium Communications and is planned to be commercially released with the rollout of 2.5-generation (2.5G) and 3G networks.
“Atrium and Adeptra’s combined technologies are best positioned to bring video alerts to the marketplace. For a sports fan, receiving a video alert would bring the action of a goal or team success to life with the chance to save that clip and relive the moment time and time again wherever chosen,” said Brian Calder, director of strategic development at Atrium.
Adeptra has collaborated with Atrium and Compaq on feasibility demonstrations of video alerting.
Can video alert technology be successful on mobile handsets as well as PDAs? Adeptra officials said this is the evolution, from simple voice and short message service (SMS) messages today to video alerts delivered to wireless devices tomorrow.
European trials
In Europe, the first countries that will adopt streaming media technology will be Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and the Scandinavian region based on mobile penetration and market maturity, industry insiders said. U.S.-based PacketVideo is conducting several test projects in Europe. Carriers, including Telef
