Within the year, we may have another broadcast service available: LTE-Broadcast (LTE-B).
Ahead of the nationwide launch sometime in 2018, Telstra (in a partnership with Ericsson) will be releasing several LTE-B -compatible services in conjunction with Samsung. Telstra LTE-B will be integrated into Samsung handsets in the already existing Telstra Media, as well as a part of a streaming linear channel that will run 24/7.
In fact, according to Mike Wright, Group Managing Director of Networks for Telstra, “Ninety nine percent of Telstra’s 4GX sites are already LTE-B capable, with the intention to have nationwide enablement and coverage for LTE-B by 2018.”
In addition to the announcement of early release, Telstra also stands as the first telco (telecommunications company) to run LTE-B trials. When released, LTE-B will provide users access to video content that can be broadcast to several recipients across a cell network that’s reminiscent of a TV broadcast.
Many say the new LTE-B broadcast service is desperately needed due to the volume of videos that people watch online each day. Those viewing high quality videos in a traditional sense often run into roadblocks (delays, poor quality, slow load time, etc.), whereas LTE-B will allow consumers to access to video broadcasts (at a high-quality level) even in crowded areas.
Andy Penn, Telstra CEO, said: “Sporting events and other media will be greatly enhanced using broadcast services and video streaming based on LTE-Broadcast technology,”.