Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

Rapid TV News

Escalating mobile video usage will force operator investment in 2012

"Smartphone user growth translates into skyrocketing mobile data usage, which will test network capacity as well as pricing power of the operators," noted Parks Associates.

Parks Associates noted that operators have several solutions to manage escalating data traffic, and two of them rely on capital expenditures: 1) Intelligent network policy protocols to prioritize network traffic by type through solutions from companies like Tekelec; 2) Traffic optimization tools for data-intensive applications such as video using solutions from companies like Bytemobile; 3) Offloading solutions such as Wi-Fi and small cell technologies from companies like Kineto Wireless and IP Access; and 4) Expand capacity-acquiring spectrum and move traffic to more efficient networks like LTE.

However, the ROI model for that investment is far from clear. Charging more, implementing usage-based data plans and offering tiers of service can only go so far--and often frustrate rather than delight customers. "Only 58% of U.S. mobile data users are very satisfied with their monthly data quota, and an even lower percentage (41%) are satisfied with the price of their current data plan," said Parks Associates. "How mobile operators address consumer data needs and dissatisfaction with costs will be critical issues in 2012."

From the article, "Escalating mobile video usage will force operator investment in 2012" by Michelle Clancy

Previously In The News

Netflix threatens cable, satellite with cost and flexibility

Despite a lower quality of user experience than broadcast options, Netflix rates higher in customer satisfaction than traditional television because of the flexibility it offers, and because the pr...

Netflix gnaws away at pay-TV, Premium Channel VOD revenues

The increasing influences of OTT in the decision processes of pay-TV consumers, says the Choosing Content: Viewing Video report from Parks Associates, raises the possibility of Watch Instantly cann...

Pay-TV services in Brazil are hot, hot, hot

Parks Associates' latest global research finds that overall, Brazil is outpacing Russia, China, and India in its growth rate for pay-TV subscriptions. During 2011, pay-TV service subscriptions in B...

Video services, pay-TV and OTT set for big change

Consumer viewership of online video has dramatically increased in the past few years, and this trend will continue in 2012, according to a research note from Parks Associates. Parks said that this...