Ericsson has announced a commercial availability of MediaFirst pay TV software, a product designed to boost content sale through 3G and 4G networks in Kenya.
The next generation pay TV targets broadcasters and telecommunications companieslooking for more nimble ways to deliver their customers content.
The platform therefore allows content providers to adjust to the new market dynamics and offer Over The Top services and video content directly to the consumers.
PERSONALISED VIEWING EXPERIENCES
Companies like Safaricom could be in a position to deliver a personalised and converged viewing experience across all devices any place and time.
Besides personalised viewer experience, the platform will enable operators make rapid innovations and greater monetisation.
Otherwise known as PayTV on web speed, Ericsson MediaFirst supports phones, tablets and PCs as well, using broadband or mobile data networks.
If broadcasters and telecommunications companies adopt the software, hybrid scenarios are also possible: such as delivering television channels through land signals, for example, and on-demand content via an internet connection over high speed network or fixed-line broadband to a set-top box.
WEAK COMPETITION
With a scarcity of the service in Kenya, Ericsson will not actively compete with any other software provider but might find it hard to hack the telecommunications industry.
Safaricom is currently banking on data bundles to enable consumers access content on the go. Most of these content is produced by media houses both local and international.
On the other end, Airtel is also attempting to make available reliable internet services for consumers to access content anywhere and anytime.
However, if Ericsson is viewed as a non-competitor, the solution would go a long way to optimise the users content with the supply of adequate internet access.
By WINFRED KURIA
