Multimedia Feature Editorial

Delivering High-Quality Video Content to Multiple Screens

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

How important is it for the mobile operator to be able to send rich, personalized content to multiple devices? Have you had the opportunity to look around at the market today? 

If you pay attention to the way people are digesting content, it is not through just one device, but it is often mobile.This trend is not just about being on the move, it is about flexibility. Consumers today want to watch TV and video content, but they want to do it on their own time and on their preferred device. The desired flexible viewing experience includes connected devices like smartphones, PCs, tablets and netbooks. 

At the same time, consumers want true multi-screen services that deliver seamless access to the same content and quality of experience (QoE) on any screen, anytime and from anywhere. Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) has completed extensive research in this area and has determined that the market is ready for the multi-screen experience. In a 2010 survey of the global youth market, 71 percent of participants revealed they would use a multi-screen device and 65 percent were willing to pay for it. Another 64 percent would remain loyal to their current provider if such services were offered.

Significant interest has emerged in Western Europe. In fact, smartphone users – in a 2010 survey – reported an interest at 36 percent of all users, while 54 percent were interested in multi-screen remote TV management, 46 percent in pause and resume and 43 percent were interested in program search. These results indicate that the interest is strong enough to support multi-screen success services that will grow along with smartphone use.Now that the opportunity has been clearly identified, how can the mobile operator move forward to meet demand? In working with Alcatel-Lucent, the multi-screen opportunity can be seized. 

The company’s comprehensive multimedia strategy and end-to-end multi-screen solutions enable the operator to adapt existing media platforms and extend media services; expose network assets to trusted partners and develop new media business models; address consumer demand; and scale media services to the mass market.

Offered through Alcatel-Lucent’s research arm, Bell Labs (News - Alert), mobile smartloading enables the support of offline, time-shifted consumption that will ensure subscribers will always have access to their favorite content when they want it. This technology pushes content to smartphones at the best possible time with the best access technology available to ensure the subscriber gets what they want when they want it. In partnering with Alcatel-Lucent, the service provider gains the industry knowledge and technology necessary to meet the demand for multi-screen services. Consumers want the content, but they also want it to be rich and readily available. In meeting these demands, long-term success for the provider is within reach.

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Erin Harrison