Edge Computing, Artificial Intelligence for Better QoE Critical for the Future of Video Services

The worldwide Pay TV market is getting increasingly competitive with a wide choice of services available among pay TV and video streaming platforms. As the competition intensifies, deployment of next-generation content delivery solutions to provide the best user experience across different video platforms is crucial for the success of service providers. ABI Research, a market-foresight advisory firm providing strategic guidance on the most compelling transformative technologies, forecasts that video streaming services will achieve 585 million subscriptions in 2019.

Mobile broadband penetration together with consumers’ demand for TV anytime, anywhere are the driving factors of video consumption on mobile devices. “5G network deployments will be a catalyst in the mobile video consumption driving the requirement of efficient video delivery solutions. Higher resolution video content such as ultra-HD 4K, and latency-sensitive services such as Augmented Reality (AR)/ Virtual Reality (VR) video applications are also expected to drive the deployment of edge computing platforms for content delivery,” commented Khin Sandi Lynn, Industry Analyst at ABI Research. 

Edge computing is an effective solution for the delivery of next-generation video since latency can be greatly reduced by moving the data source closer to end users. Buffering while streaming the video content can result in negative user experience and can even lead to churn. Leveraging edge and cloud content delivery platforms are essential to improve the quality of experience (QoE). Several video delivery solution vendors including Ericsson, Anevia, Limelight Networks, Saguna etc., leverage edge platforms to deliver low-latency, broadcast quality video streaming services. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can also be deployed for optimization of video content delivery. AI-assisted Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) streaming and encoding systems significantly improve video delivery efficiency. Pay TV and video streaming service providers can deploy AI for optimization of content summarization, personalization, and content recommendation all of which are essential for revenue generation. Service providers can also improve customer engagement and user experience by integrating AI into set-top boxes and video streaming devices to enable voice control and voice searches. Anticipation and deployment of the next innovative technologies are essential for service providers to offer the best quality of service for long-term success in the pay TV market.

These findings are from ABI Research’s Next Generation Video & Content Delivery technology analysis report. This report is part of the company’s  Video & Cloud Services research service, which includes research, data, and Executive Foresights. Based on extensive primary interviews, Technology Analysis reports present in-depth analysis of key market trends and factors for a specific technology.

About ABI Research

ABI Research provides strategic guidance for visionaries needing market foresight on the most compelling transformative technologies, which reshape workforces, identify holes in a market, create new business models and drive new revenue streams. ABI’s own research visionaries take stances early on those technologies, publishing groundbreaking studies often years ahead of other technology advisory firms. ABI analysts deliver their conclusions and recommendations in easily and quickly absorbed formats to ensure proper context. Our analysts strategically guide visionaries to take action now and inspire their business to realize a bigger picture. For more information about ABI Research’s forecasting, consulting and teardown services, visionaries can contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific or visit www.abiresearch.com.