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3g-g
2nd August 2006, 04:32 PM
Has a bit of gumff at the start of the article about the fact that mobile TV delivered as a WAP stream is not a good way to deliver TV, in fact dialing a shortcode number (a la Three) is the best way to watch mobile TV offerings. Anyway, further down you'll read the important bit, they're working on mobile to PC video calling. Could that be the start of the upward trend for 3G use?!


Operators using only WAP portals to deliver TV services may be missing a simpler and easier way to boost usage and revenues. Using 3G’s dedicated 64kbit channel to send video data over the 3G circuit switched nature meets consumer needs of ease of access and interactivity, and operator needs for increased data revenues, Radvision’s general manager of mobility and service provider business, Alon Barnea, has told Mobile Europe

Radvision has developed a platform which takes feeds live TV streams out to 3G mobile phones using the native 324m protocol on the phones. There is no need for clients on the handset, or for users to browser to a WAP portal. Users simply call a number and start watching. Barnea says that the dedicated 64Kbit channel that 3G provides is perfectly adequate for a quality viewing experience. Radvision has built an interactive video portal that translates and delivers the data, as well as how the channels are displayed and accessed from the phone.

Barnea argued that the possibilities for interaction are manifold, with a possibly example being in an adult environment where users can take a live session into a private chat room. 3 Austria is using the interactive video portal for one adult service and to provide access to web cams at ski stations, so users can see what skiing conditions are like. It is charging around €.39 per minute for users to call the service.

In Israel, Orange is using the portal to provide a live TV blogging service. Users are sending their own live video pictures over 3G to a website, where others interact.

Another use of the technology, in a product Radvision has launched today, is PC to mobile videoconferencing. A PC user can download and application that allows them to set up a video call to a 3G mobile from their home PC. The call from the PC is routed through a server in the mobile operator network out to the mobile user, who is billed for the call. Barnea sayd that such a service offers the potential to open up video conferencing to 3G users who have previously been hampered by the fact that to make a 3G video call both parties needed the appropriate handsets.

Radvision is currently talking to operators about both concepts, Barnea said.

“We’re not asking them to choose between one approach or the other,” he said, “this is complementary to WAP and other strategies.”

The Israeli company points out that its technology is pre-SIP and IMS, but is in IMS labs now, and will be compatible with the coming video over IP services.

“Voice over IP took three years until it could provide a quality that users were willing to pay for,” Barnea said. “Video will take at least two to get to that stage.”

But in the meantime, using the circuit switched data channel built into the 3G specification, plus the 342m format, could provide a way for operators to start to offer live TV and interactive video services to users, Barnea argued.

http://pda.mobileeurope.co.uk/news/news_story.ehtml?o=2367

Ben
2nd August 2006, 04:52 PM
PC-to-Mobile (and vice-versa) video calling is incredibly important. The prospects for video calling in an environment where computers and the internet are involved is infinitely better than the current mobile-to-mobile scenario.

3GScottishUser
2nd August 2006, 05:52 PM
I recall 3 offering this service (PC to Mobile) a few years ago. It did'nt get anywhere of course as it cost about £2 a minute!! From IM services to 3 were charged at international roaming rates.

Videocalling has a place I suspect but it'll be hard for any network to convince customers to pay much for it when they can get it free from IM services. I think being static with decent lighting etc goes a long way to making videocalling a practical proposition too. Only problem with Yahoo and MSN etc is the frame rate and the latency.