Mobile TV, a hype or a need?

Is mobile TV a hype, or a real need? The world today runs on mobile applications and devices. Think Blackberry, iPhone, N-series form Nokia etc. You can't imagine living whit-out anymore.

More and more people have access with their mobile device to high-speed data networks. GPRS, Edge, UMTS, HSDPA, ... have been and are being developed at the speed of light. And what is more intensive, and profitable, than video on a data carrier? Sure, high proces for those data packets are still a blocking factor. And maybe the minimum hardware requirements and setup procedures are also part of the problem. But I see a steady increase of the amount of viewers on the platform run by Telemak for Mobistar Mobile TV.

The future commercial launch of broadcast TV on mobile devices will certainly give a big boost to the delivery platform. DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld) doesn't use data carriers but receives the signal from "the air". You don't pay for the packets you receive, but probably will pay a fee for accessing the service like you would cable TV.

I think that in the future, the mobile phone (device) will be the central remote control and distribution device of your media center. Receiving your Electronic Program Guide (EPG) via mobile data tranfert, programming your viewing time, receive the DVB-H channels on your mobile device, send it over bluetooth or WiFi to your TV, and you're all set. And use that same data access to send back your shopping list you just watched on TV. And why should it be your TV? We could imagine renting your TV space in the business lounge at the airport or use your hotel TV. How far is the future?

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What is needed to deliver a (good) webcast

One of the things I strongly believe in in our industry is the need for quality delivery. Many start-ups in the streaming industry do think that just by downloading a free copy of Windows Media Encoder or QuickTime Broadcaster they have the knowledge to produce an entire TV show on the web. Unfortunately for them, and their customers, it isn't that easy. 

Many years ago I learned the lessons the hard way. I figured that a good webcast, which should be seen as a TV broadcast using IP delivery, needed good knowledge in 4 areas: IT, audio-visual, networks and telecommunications. Remove one of those and you will see that it gets very complicated to achieve your primary goal: get the image and sound to your audience. And believe me, it isn't that easy. Some people I know well have found out by going face first into the digital wall.

The number of companies that are able to setup and deliver an event webcast to the world wide web are quite low, but increasing. With all the new tools that are available for web 2.0 and television 2.0, on top of the increased expertise of people and companies make it easier than ever to do your thing. But then why are so many web videos of such a low quality or unavailable? The answer is easy: start this article all over again. It needs expertise and a broadcasters mentality to get it done. Not the straight IT talk, but to "go for it" TV walk. You have very strict deadlines, and a large number of points of failure. Keep them under control, and your webcast will succeed. 

And above all, work with people that have really delivered in the past. Ask them to show you their achievements and what part of the production they control, and what part is subcontracted. The more is subcontracted, the more that can go out of control. A one stop shop is in our industry the best bet. Then it is just a question of enjoying the show !

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Is Apple dropping Akamai in favor of Google?

Rumors lately have spread around saying that Apple might switch its content delivery from Akamai to Google. Swiss American Securities, a division of Credit Suisse is saying that it has learned that Apple will no longer use Akamai. They see Apple dumping Akamai for a Google-based content distribution network and expect Apple to announce that next week at Macworld.

No details have been given, but I doubt the news. iTunes for instance relies on Akamai for it's music and video download service. And what can Google offer that Akamai can not? OK, Google is Google and so they can build anything they want, but still. Where is the value of the deal? Google is primarily an advertising company, and I don't see the match with Apple's business. Of course Google and Apple work and will work together on certain business deals such as advertising in iTunes and iPhones; or use Google as the standard search engine.

Anyway, we at Telemak continue to work with Akamai, a 9 year old relationship. We have served hundreds of customers and Petabytes of data using Akamai without a glitch. Why even think to switch when you have a winning team?

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Telemak 2008 !

The Telemak team finished 2007 with a nice team goal: make our own food. The food was good, the champagne and wine too, and the spirit even beter. Have a look for yourself. Interested in joining the team? Send a mail to jobs@telemak.com. Or if you need our team work to get you sorted out with your (web) video, let us know and we'll make sure you feel the Telemak 2008 spirit.

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