With the integration of 5G, 2020 is shaping up to be a transformative year for the telecom industry. In 2019, we saw the industry expand as it connected more and more people every day. When it came to innovation, the telecom industry led the way - with its integration of AI and blockchain technologies. We expect this momentum to continue as mobile device dependency increases and new technologies are introduced that empower our device usage.
#1: Edge Will Drive Mobile Streaming Demand
In 2019, we saw the streaming market take off with media conglomerates such as Disney launching their own, direct to consumer, platforms and industry giants such as Amazon Prime securing exclusive licensing agreements from major sports franchises. With so many streaming options available, we see consumers raise their expectations for what qualifies as a high-quality viewing experience. This includes mobile viewing, where on-the-go viewers expect an experience equal or surpassing traditional broadcast with things like supplementary data and social media integration.
According to a recent report, video rebuffering remains the most frustrating aspect of the online viewing experience, with 43 percent of global viewers citing it as their major complaint and 66 percent abandoning a video after two rebuffers. Another frustration, for live events, is stream latency when compared to traditional broadcast.
The integration of 5G and edge computing will bring several benefits to online mobile video viewing. The promised 5G speeds will provide much higher speeds at which internet connects to mobile devices than those that are available today. This means the mobile viewing experience will be the best that each viewing device is capable of providing with its screen size and resolution. Edge computing also allows a way to personalize online video with targeted ad insertion, or as part of interactivity between viewers and content providers. As a result, users will enjoy new and superior experiences, increasing their mobile device use.
#2: Network Capacity Will Be Critical to Mobile Streaming Success
Neil Glazebrook,
Senior Director,
Product Management,
Limelight
Networks
In 2020, network capacity will be put to the test, handling high volumes of traffic as a result of growth in both mobile streaming of live content and cloud gaming. In 2019, Google launched its cloud gaming platform, Stadia, and this upcoming year more cloud gaming platforms are expected to launch. Added to this, we can expect to see major global events such as the 2020 Summer Olympics and European Soccer tournaments create a higher demand for mobile live streaming - and significant backlash if viewers have a less than ideal experience while cheering on their favorite team.
Telecom providers can no longer rely on a single server to make seamless video streams across the world, which means more reliance on content delivery networks (CDNs) in 2020. CDNs can deliver mobile live video streaming with broad reach and viewer scalability as well as handle spikes in traffic when popular content attracts sudden increases in audience size. This end result is a more engaging user experience - with high quality sound and video, minimal rebuffering and delays, and high reliability and availability.
#3: Global Connectivity will Grow in 2020
In 2019, we saw continued rapid expansion of global networks - with the extended reach of 3G and 4G coverage in emerging markets and the debut of 5G. To reach true global connectivity, telecoms leaders and partners will continue to add delivery capacity and invest in edge services in 2020 to easily scale growing network demand and improve last-mile delivery to the user.
For countries with limited network infrastructure, edge services will allow content providers to get closer to the end-user, improving access and performance quality in emerging markets. Many telecom companies have begun to adopt this strategy as it serves as a cost-effective and efficient option for expanding data access. In 2020, this continued growth of a global network will create universal access and new opportunities for knowledge sharing across the globe.
