tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post2848888884528243147..comments2024-03-20T22:57:03.923+00:00Comments on Dean Bubley's Disruptive Wireless: Mobile video optimisation - different perspectivesDean Bubleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05719150957239368264noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-4861336160290617612011-11-26T11:56:19.416+00:002011-11-26T11:56:19.416+00:00Anonymous
"Carriers have to provide the best...Anonymous<br /><br />"Carriers have to provide the best QoE with the network they have"<br /><br />I'd modify that statement to:<br /><br />"Carriers have to provide the best QoE with the network, software, influence, content/apps, partners & devices they have"<br /><br />The best way to avoid being "just a pipe" is to make sure you aren't just in the business of running pipes (ie networks). <br /><br />The "best QoE" will come from companies that match the best pipes to the best taps/valves (eg phones or on-device software), the best water (content & apps), the best partnerships (waste management etc) and so on. Maybe even the best "water experience" by sponsoring the London 2012 Olympic Swimming.<br /><br />I also think the "first class" plane analogy is deeply flawed, especially on mobile networks rather than fixed. In mobile, first class is ALREADY awarded to people with the best radio conditions: that's how HSPA gets to be 28.8Mbit/s, or LTE to 100Mbit/s. <br /><br />The moment you start fiddling about with the packet prioritisation at the base station is the moment you get into hot water (pun intended, sorry) with the consumer-protection lawyers.Dean Bubleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05719150957239368264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-68260803711239857212011-11-25T18:54:44.359+00:002011-11-25T18:54:44.359+00:00Dean you write:
"I disagree that network opt...Dean you write:<br /><br />"I disagree that network optimisation necessarily improves QoE - it can affect a slightly wider slice of QoS, but true end-to-end QoE cannot be measured or "optimised" purely in the network."<br /><br />I concur when a specific optimisation is used. For example, if you throttle back P2P then streaming video may take more bandwidth resulting in an equivalent congestion problem. The other way around is also true, optimise video the P2P will eat what is left. This is because streaming video and P2P are greedy protocols.<br /><br />Regardless of what networks do now in early days (yes I still think we are in the early days), the eventual solution needs to be a comprehensive approach to congestion management. <br /><br />"Optimisation" should be stricken from the vocabulary for fast HSPA and 4G, since it really does not benefit them much. Speeds are fine when congestion is not occurring.<br /><br />Reducing the bandwidth for a video just like throttling P2P is only necessary when congestion is occurring and only makes sense if you can control all the data going to the congestion point.<br /><br />At the end of the day when congestion occurs something happens. The question to the carrier is do they want to control that (e.g. give the gold user a better experience because they pay more) or just let the Internet protocols figure it out. Most carriers will want the former and not the later and I agree with that opinion.<br /><br />Taking this to the next level, when congestion is not occurring carriers should try to get applications to use more bandwidth. The VZW announcement is a step in the right direction. I'm sure there are others as well that will be announced.<br /><br />Carriers have to provide the best QoE with the network they have. How they choose the "best QoE" will undoubtedly differ, but they again I think it should. If a carrier makes a mistake (e.g. block Skype) the market will reach and correct them. If they do something smart, sensible, and transparent (e.g. you pay for first class on a plane you will be treated differently) then they will be rewarded.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-37911138328013907942011-11-25T09:18:45.021+00:002011-11-25T09:18:45.021+00:00Davide
I'm referring to the specific example ...Davide<br /><br />I'm referring to the specific example of Verizon's *own* video streaming service called Verizon Video (formerly Vcast).<br /><br />Based on the Fierce Wireless article, it looks like the content division of VZ is working with the network division of VZW.<br /><br />However, I also understand that VZW uses "non-consensual" optimisation for content from other sources. But at least it makes that fact clear to customers. I'm not certain if it does it across-the-board or just when it's actually experiencing congestion.<br /><br />That approach is effective as a common short-term sticking plaster, but is likely to get pushback over time, either by publishers encrypting their content, or by using a quality indicator to alert users when the carrier is "messing about with their data".Dean Bubleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05719150957239368264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-78768437150917370102011-11-25T03:24:51.228+00:002011-11-25T03:24:51.228+00:00"In my mind, that's totally acceptable, a..."In my mind, that's totally acceptable, as the content publisher/aggregator is working hand-in-hand with the network team to create a balance between QoE, ..."<br /><br />I did not read in the news that Verizon is working hand-in-hand with content publishers. It seems they are taking the decision of downgrading video quality without involving the content provider.<br /><br />Where did you read it?Davidenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-50602691576107734432011-11-24T21:58:29.941+00:002011-11-24T21:58:29.941+00:00I so hated it when I was downloading for professio...I so hated it when I was downloading for professional work use images from stock photo sites that I had paid for, and T-Mobile's mobile broadband would decide to make them look awful.Martin Geddeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02595281137594182696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-50372476568240865002011-11-24T17:15:44.393+00:002011-11-24T17:15:44.393+00:00Hi Tal
I disagree that network optimisation neces...Hi Tal<br /><br />I disagree that network optimisation necessarily improves QoE - it can affect a slightly wider slice of QoS, but true end-to-end QoE cannot be measured or "optimised" purely in the network. <br /><br />To do that, you need a software client either directly on the device, or better integration with the origination source. Otherwise, at best, you are second-guessing the user's actual context. For example, stalling is irrelevant for a video downloaded to a background window for viewing later, and lossy compression makes the ultimate user experience worse when it is actually watched.<br /><br />Airline analogies are dangerous, given the number that have gone bust in recent years.<br /><br />Many operators are already offering tiers (eg by speed). Tiering by quality / VIP status is feasible but needs near-perfect coverage and better capacity in order to be meaningful. <br /><br />Also, look at the Ofcom announcement today, which points the right way. Normal "Internet Access" will be neutral and subject to the operator stipulating average speeds, but they can also offer "Managed Services" as well.<br /><br />DeanDean Bubleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05719150957239368264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17500930.post-79558763045901777212011-11-24T15:38:34.670+00:002011-11-24T15:38:34.670+00:00Hi Dean,
A very interesting view, however there is...Hi Dean,<br />A very interesting view, however there is no black & white here.<br />As you mentioned video optimization has two benefits:<br />1. It reduces the load on operators networks<br />2. It improves the subscriber QoE both temporal quality (reducing the amount of stalls and speeding video start time) and Visual quality.<br /><br />I totally agree with you that subscribers should be aware of what they signed for and the example you gave from VzW and what we heard from other operators we know show that this is exactly what they have in mind.<br />If you pay more you get more (including enhanced QoE through optimization), If you pay less you get less.<br /><br />Using your analogy to airlines:<br />Today operators are selling all tickets at the same price. If you got on the plane first you get to seat in first class, if you got on last you get the middle seat in front of the toilets.<br /><br />When operators will tier their offering they will sell First class tickets, Business class tickets, Tourist class, isle seat and exit seat tickets. <br />You will then get exactly what you paid forTal Daganhttp://www.flashnetworks.comnoreply@blogger.com