Comments on: Forget Voice, Cable’s Wireless Plans Need Video http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:44:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Comcast’s Wireless Plans Don’t Include TV On Phones http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-973323 Comcast’s Wireless Plans Don’t Include TV On Phones Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:39:57 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-973323 <p>[...] of us here at GigaOM really excited — me especially, since this is exactly the sort of thing that I’ve said the cable guys should be doing if they want to launch wireless products. However, a quick look at the transcript of the executive comments that prompted the Reuters story [...]</p> [...] of us here at GigaOM really excited — me especially, since this is exactly the sort of thing that I’ve said the cable guys should be doing if they want to launch wireless products. However, a quick look at the transcript of the executive comments that prompted the Reuters story [...]

]]> By: Comcast’s Wireless Plans Don’t Include TV On Phones http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-973321 Comcast’s Wireless Plans Don’t Include TV On Phones Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:18:55 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-973321 <p>[...] here at GigaOM really excited — me especially, since this is exactly the sort of thing that I’ve said the cable guys should be doing if they want to launch wireless products. However, a quick look at the transcript of the executive comments that prompted the Reuters story [...]</p> [...] here at GigaOM really excited — me especially, since this is exactly the sort of thing that I’ve said the cable guys should be doing if they want to launch wireless products. However, a quick look at the transcript of the executive comments that prompted the Reuters story [...]

]]> By: Seth http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-920087 Seth Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:12:38 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-920087 <p>Check out the products and prices for Lamas Beauty and other products on my site. I partner with these companies to bring a variety of products that will save customers money in most cases.</p> <p>http://www.fhtmus.com/sethmoore</p> Check out the products and prices for Lamas Beauty and other products on my site. I partner with these companies to bring a variety of products that will save customers money in most cases.

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]]> By: McGuire’s Law » Blog Archive » Business Observations: December 19, 2008 Edition http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918594 McGuire’s Law » Blog Archive » Business Observations: December 19, 2008 Edition Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:25:02 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918594 <p>[...] Forget Voice, Cable’s Wireless Plans Need Video [...]</p> [...] Forget Voice, Cable’s Wireless Plans Need Video [...]

]]> By: HD Boy http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918588 HD Boy Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:36:35 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918588 <p>Some cable companies still can't leverage their existing HD video technology or make good on the HD marketing hype. The fact is that once you purchase a widescreen HDTV, you want widescreen HD programming -- not SD in the old 4:3 "Acadamy" format. In most local markets, Comcast still has fewer than 30 HD channels and is so squeezed for bandwidth that the company even has to deliver SD (standard definition) channels that are severely over compressed to the point of being unwatchable. Also, Comcast Internet remains slow in many markets too -- for the same reasons.</p> <p>Your theory about cable's goals and challenges are right on target. But your timing is way off. Comcast won't be finished rebuilding their nationwide cable infrastructure to deliver a competitive number of HD channels in every local for another two years. They will get this completed early in just a handful of metro markets and use this as the foundation for "truthy" ads (as Colbert would say) that make the corporation seem to be competitive with satellite in HD offerings. It's not. I suspect Time-Warner and Cox cable may be facing the same problems.</p> <p>Check this out. This certainly is the case in Sacramento and many other mid-size Comcast markets.</p> Some cable companies still can’t leverage their existing HD video technology or make good on the HD marketing hype. The fact is that once you purchase a widescreen HDTV, you want widescreen HD programming — not SD in the old 4:3 “Acadamy” format. In most local markets, Comcast still has fewer than 30 HD channels and is so squeezed for bandwidth that the company even has to deliver SD (standard definition) channels that are severely over compressed to the point of being unwatchable. Also, Comcast Internet remains slow in many markets too — for the same reasons.

Your theory about cable’s goals and challenges are right on target. But your timing is way off. Comcast won’t be finished rebuilding their nationwide cable infrastructure to deliver a competitive number of HD channels in every local for another two years. They will get this completed early in just a handful of metro markets and use this as the foundation for “truthy” ads (as Colbert would say) that make the corporation seem to be competitive with satellite in HD offerings. It’s not. I suspect Time-Warner and Cox cable may be facing the same problems.

Check this out. This certainly is the case in Sacramento and many other mid-size Comcast markets.

]]> By: Jesse Kopelman http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918538 Jesse Kopelman Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:55:16 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918538 <p>I question whether the cable companies are really all that competent on video. Look what happened to their market share as soon as viable satellite players hit the scene! Also consider that that the largest cable operators got to their current size not by organic growth but through the acquisition of shoddily run competitors. The truth is that Verizon and AT&T could probably teach Comcast, Cox, and TW quite a bit about how to do a better job on TV, just like Comcast, Cox, and TW have been able to school AT&T and Verizon on home telephony. These monopolistic markets are such that past success pretty much guarantees unreadiness to address new competition.</p> I question whether the cable companies are really all that competent on video. Look what happened to their market share as soon as viable satellite players hit the scene! Also consider that that the largest cable operators got to their current size not by organic growth but through the acquisition of shoddily run competitors. The truth is that Verizon and AT&T could probably teach Comcast, Cox, and TW quite a bit about how to do a better job on TV, just like Comcast, Cox, and TW have been able to school AT&T and Verizon on home telephony. These monopolistic markets are such that past success pretty much guarantees unreadiness to address new competition.

]]> By: Cable’s Wireless Plans Need Video « Media Experiences 2 Go http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918530 Cable’s Wireless Plans Need Video « Media Experiences 2 Go Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:48:28 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918530 <p>[...] Higginbotham over at GigaOM has a post up today on the need for cable to focus on its core competency - video - in the wireless space. If they can [...]</p> [...] Higginbotham over at GigaOM has a post up today on the need for cable to focus on its core competency – video – in the wireless space. If they can [...]

]]> By: Dave@Avot http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918511 Dave@Avot Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:00:21 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918511 <p>Here are some key stats on mobile video: -Nielsen reports that in Q308, 10 million people in the US watched mobile video. This is about 1/10 of the amount of people that watched desktop videos -Mobile video usage grew more than any other screen in Q308 at 14% growth from last quarter -Mobile video is more engaging than desktop video. Those few that do watch mobile video watch more minutes than desktop viewers. -MobiTV claims 5 million subscribers -The 2008 Olympics was a big event with low millions watching NBC mobile video.</p> <p>Obviously, the iPhone has influenced the mobile video space. 33% of iPhone users watch mobile video. Apple has sold over 13 million iPhones. Other iPhone-like phones are influential as well; T-Mobile G1, Blackberry Bold and Storm, Sprint Instinct, etc</p> <p>Today, video is 9% of wireless data traffic. It is projected to be 23% of data traffic by 2012.</p> <p>Today, only 4% of US subscribers watch mobile video. ATT leads that pack at 4.4%. Sprint 4.2%. TMO 2.4%. Verizon 2.4% (Comscore M:Metrics)</p> <p>In user surveys, the #1 reason that users don't watch mobile video is price. Today, the economics of mobile video don't make sense... yet. Most users want it for free. About 10% are willing to pay a premium for content, (MobiTV, MLB, etc). Many users are willing to watch advertisements in exchange for free video.</p> <p>Recently, mobile video has become much easier to deploy. And, high performance video delivery solutions can handle high volumes of simultaneous sessions and reduce bandwidth 15-25%. (shameless plug for Avot Media)</p> <p>www.avotmedia.com www.twitter.com/avotmedia</p> Here are some key stats on mobile video: -Nielsen reports that in Q308, 10 million people in the US watched mobile video. This is about 1/10 of the amount of people that watched desktop videos -Mobile video usage grew more than any other screen in Q308 at 14% growth from last quarter -Mobile video is more engaging than desktop video. Those few that do watch mobile video watch more minutes than desktop viewers. -MobiTV claims 5 million subscribers -The 2008 Olympics was a big event with low millions watching NBC mobile video.

Obviously, the iPhone has influenced the mobile video space. 33% of iPhone users watch mobile video. Apple has sold over 13 million iPhones. Other iPhone-like phones are influential as well; T-Mobile G1, Blackberry Bold and Storm, Sprint Instinct, etc

Today, video is 9% of wireless data traffic. It is projected to be 23% of data traffic by 2012.

Today, only 4% of US subscribers watch mobile video. ATT leads that pack at 4.4%. Sprint 4.2%. TMO 2.4%. Verizon 2.4% (Comscore M:Metrics)

In user surveys, the #1 reason that users don’t watch mobile video is price. Today, the economics of mobile video don’t make sense… yet. Most users want it for free. About 10% are willing to pay a premium for content, (MobiTV, MLB, etc). Many users are willing to watch advertisements in exchange for free video.

Recently, mobile video has become much easier to deploy. And, high performance video delivery solutions can handle high volumes of simultaneous sessions and reduce bandwidth 15-25%. (shameless plug for Avot Media)

http://www.avotmedia.com http://www.twitter.com/avotmedia

]]> By: Stacey Higginbotham http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918498 Stacey Higginbotham Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:26:03 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918498 <p>Vijay, I agree that mobile video has been a fail so far. However, the ability to program my DVR from my cell phone would be awesome, especially if I could text the info to my set-top box. I also wouldn't mind downloading video before a flight or having The Daily Show to watch when I'm waiting around. I might not seek it out, but if my cable provider offered it, I might take them up on it. So maybe a killer differentiator might be a good way to think about video for the cable guys.</p> Vijay, I agree that mobile video has been a fail so far. However, the ability to program my DVR from my cell phone would be awesome, especially if I could text the info to my set-top box. I also wouldn’t mind downloading video before a flight or having The Daily Show to watch when I’m waiting around. I might not seek it out, but if my cable provider offered it, I might take them up on it. So maybe a killer differentiator might be a good way to think about video for the cable guys.

]]> By: Ted http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918492 Ted Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:57:21 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918492 <p>I think video is a natural progression. Batteries will continue to improve, technology will continue to improve and I think eventually the idea of videos on cell phones will be the norm.</p> <p>http://www.justinpopovic.com</p> I think video is a natural progression. Batteries will continue to improve, technology will continue to improve and I think eventually the idea of videos on cell phones will be the norm.

http://www.justinpopovic.com

]]> By: vijay gill http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918486 vijay gill Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:28:05 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918486 <p>@om that makes more sense, but I still disagree. Voice and communication have always been the killer apps, not content. as a way to differentiate themselves, might get them a point or two if I can control my tivo from my mobile, but that is something anyone can build over the top. We shall see how this plays out</p> @om that makes more sense, but I still disagree. Voice and communication have always been the killer apps, not content. as a way to differentiate themselves, might get them a point or two if I can control my tivo from my mobile, but that is something anyone can build over the top. We shall see how this plays out

]]> By: Bored SysAdmin http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918483 Bored SysAdmin Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:15:43 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918483 <p>With Comcast and Cablevision heavily invested in Clear [WiMax] Network, I wont be surprised mobile video on wimax network from your cable provider. Verizon will do same, but only with LTE network and possibly a year behind cable...</p> With Comcast and Cablevision heavily invested in Clear [WiMax] Network, I wont be surprised mobile video on wimax network from your cable provider. Verizon will do same, but only with LTE network and possibly a year behind cable…

]]> By: PBP http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918476 PBP Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:49:35 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918476 <p>The problem here wouldn't be the traditional voice companies (AT&T, Verizon, etc) or the cable companies. It's going to be the people who own the content. Think about it. Do you really think that HBO would want you to stream "Big Love" or Showtime would want you to easily watch "Weeds"? No. They'd rather charge you for it two, three, even four times for extra revenue. Yeah, there are sites like NBC's Hulu and CBS' TV.com, but they run ads on the shows so they make their money that way. HBO and Showtime's biggest revenue stream nowadays is their ability to sell you the subscription, the DVD, the download on iTunes, etc. As much as I'd love to see it happen and the technology, like Envivio's multistreaming box, is there, I don't see it happening anytime soon.</p> <p>Perhaps someone in one of these companies will give it a try and it will be a big success and everyone will hop on the bandwagon, but I don't know. Right now, AT&T can't even manage to put everything on one bill, much less create a single delivery mechanism for content. Perhaps this is just what the cable companies need...</p> The problem here wouldn’t be the traditional voice companies (AT&T, Verizon, etc) or the cable companies. It’s going to be the people who own the content. Think about it. Do you really think that HBO would want you to stream “Big Love” or Showtime would want you to easily watch “Weeds”? No. They’d rather charge you for it two, three, even four times for extra revenue. Yeah, there are sites like NBC’s Hulu and CBS’ TV.com, but they run ads on the shows so they make their money that way. HBO and Showtime’s biggest revenue stream nowadays is their ability to sell you the subscription, the DVD, the download on iTunes, etc. As much as I’d love to see it happen and the technology, like Envivio’s multistreaming box, is there, I don’t see it happening anytime soon.

Perhaps someone in one of these companies will give it a try and it will be a big success and everyone will hop on the bandwagon, but I don’t know. Right now, AT&T can’t even manage to put everything on one bill, much less create a single delivery mechanism for content. Perhaps this is just what the cable companies need…

]]> By: Om Malik http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918456 Om Malik Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:59:40 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918456 <p>@vijay</p> <p>i think what you are missing is that if the cable wireless services offer convenience of managing your video life (even at home), and take a more video centric approach, they will distinguish themselves and at the same time help their own cause (cable) which is getting increasingly commoditized in terms of features and experience.</p> @vijay

i think what you are missing is that if the cable wireless services offer convenience of managing your video life (even at home), and take a more video centric approach, they will distinguish themselves and at the same time help their own cause (cable) which is getting increasingly commoditized in terms of features and experience.

]]> By: vijay gill http://gigaom.com/2008/12/17/forget-voice-cables-wireless-plans-need-video/#comment-918426 vijay gill Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:35:52 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=31797#comment-918426 <p>what are the stats for video on mobile? Far from it being a killer application, I think this is destined for an epic fail. I know for a a fact that if I am traveling around, I don't have the <em>chunk</em> of time it takes to watch a show, I can however catch up on a few mail messages or watch something small on youtube, but not too much, because it does a horrible job to the battery life. In short, deadpool and failblog this already.</p> what are the stats for video on mobile? Far from it being a killer application, I think this is destined for an epic fail. I know for a a fact that if I am traveling around, I don’t have the chunk of time it takes to watch a show, I can however catch up on a few mail messages or watch something small on youtube, but not too much, because it does a horrible job to the battery life. In short, deadpool and failblog this already.

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