[SatNews] Smith Micro Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMSI) has announced that a fifth patent application for adaptive mobile video streaming has been approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The patented technology used in the company's VIDIO™ platform solves problems of slow, expensive methods of traditional streaming over wireless networks that can degrade video quality or limit the reach of video content. By dynamically adjusting the bit rate of streaming video based on current network capacity, wireless network operators and others providing mobile video content can ensure the best possible user experience to the broadest possible audience.
According to Cisco's Visual Networking Index Forecast, video is estimated to comprise 71 percent of all mobile data traffic by 2016. In addition to consumer demand for mobile video from sites like YouTube and services such as Netflix, there is a growing trend to push video content to consumers in the form of advertising or "freemium" content that leads to new, revenue-generating mobile services. For example, some wireless network providers are utilizing video to engage consumers in large, public venues such as sports stadiums where they have deployed Wi-Fi. In these highly-trafficked locations, the types of mobile devices used by consumers can vary widely, and the availability of bandwidth can change on a minute-by-minute basis. Without adaptive video streaming capability, a clogged network combined with inconsistent device support can result in a poor user experience where videos are slow to load, freeze up or can't be viewed at all.
"Our VIDIO platform can address countless mobile video use cases, from hospitality to public safety to field services, but it is especially useful in large venues like sporting events, where sudden peaks in demand for bandwidth can cause network bottlenecks," said Doug Jones, director of product management at Smith Micro. "Imagine the impact of hundreds of thousands of people attending the FIFA World Cup events in Brazil, or the upcoming Olympics in Russia, all trying to access an instant replay or video profile of their favorite athlete simultaneously. Without adaptive video streaming, the consumer experience will be spotty at best."
"As long time leaders in mobile connectivity, we have a broad portfolio of solutions that help wireless service providers deliver the best possible user experience over 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi networks," said David Sperling, CTO at Smith Micro. "The VIDIO platform is a great complement to our NetWise solution, allowing service providers to control data traffic based on network availability and performance metrics so they can capitalize on the growing demand for mobile video."
"Demand for mobile video is exploding, however delivering a good user experience via traditional video streaming methods is becoming increasingly challenging. Smith Micro's VIDIO platform solves this challenge, which is one key reason we named them in our 'Hot Vendor in Mobile 2013 report,'" said Jim Lundy, CEO, Aragon Research. "Adaptive video streaming not only allows network operators to provide the best user experience, but it also opens up new revenue generating opportunities, and Smith Micro is showing strong technical leadership in this area."
