LTE Broadcast will grow significantly over the next five years, reaching a potential customer base of two billion by 2020, according to a new report from GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association). GSA also estimates that the LTE broadcast services will reach $14 billion globally during this time frame. Increasing interest shown by mobile operators globally provides evidence of a solid business case for deployments, said GSA.
According to GSA, trials of LTE Broadcast services based on eMBMS have been taking place all over the world. Over 30 mobile operators have so far been involved in technical lab or field trials of eMBMS with a view to using it to reduce the load on their networks by broadcasting popular TV and video content rather than sending it to each viewer individually. Many more are planning to trial the technology in the coming 12-24 months, with their eyes on this and other use cases, which include innovative stadium entertainment services; emergency broadcast systems; distribution of public and transport information; software and firmware upgrades for computers and Internet of Things (IoT)-connected devices; and mobile delivery of broadcast TV, added GSA.
GSA via the report also concludes that it is possible to build a positive business case for the deployment of eMBMS based on the launch of new services that end users say they would be willing to pay a bit more for, and efficiency and cost savings.
