A new specialised technology known as ARTIST, developed by a CSIR South
Africa-led consortium, allows streaming video to be viewed on mobile devices in
low bandwidth or congested environments without buffering or break up.
“Users can now watch TV channels or video content on their existing Android
smart phones or tablets on their existing cell phone networks. ARTIST works on
3G and EDGE (low bandwidth), which is the dominant system used in rural areas.
It works without any break up at 24kbps,’ explains Pierre van der Hoven of
Tuluntulu, the newly set up company that is commercialising the technology.
“There is a demand for mobile content in South Africa but it requires a proper
delivery mechanism,’ he continues. “So far the global explosion of online video
usage has not been shared by Africa as current competing technologies do not
perform well in low rate Internet infrastructures between 30kbps to 300kbps
and, more particularly, where the throughput rate rapidly varies within this
range from one second to the next, as is common in all mobile cellular networks.
“Our technology provides seamless and smooth video delivery adapting to
varying throughput rates for each individual connected user, without disruption.
There is no re-buffering or fast start up to the viewed stream.’
The system has built in social media interaction, as well as tools to manage and
control the bandwidth.
Van der Hoven maintains that the system can generate huge data revenues for
mobile operators. “Users can opt for “lower quality’ to save on their mobile
phone data costs. We can also provide detailed audience analysis.’
He notes that niche TV operators, as well as minority sports, corporations,
production companies that have access to content, educators, the health
industry and so on could use the technology.
