StarHub Deploys Broadpeak CDN (w/ HLS Support)

Broadpeak announced that ".. Singapore-based communications provider StarHub has deployed Broadpeak’s BkM100 Mediator content delivery network manager and BkS300 multiformat video streaming servers to power its live video services. Utilizing Broadpeak’s highly flexible and customizable CDN and video server solutions, StarHub can cost-effectively deliver live television content in a variety of adaptive streaming formats, including Apple® HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), [here] providing end users with a superior quality of service".

At the end of 2012, StarHub had 2.2M mobile, 444K broadband and 536K pay TV customers. See also "SwiftServe - New Transparent Cache Player/CDN" - here.

"..Broadpeak’s BkM100 CDN Manager streamlines content delivery based on the type of service and customer location. By continuously monitoring the popularity of content based on usage patterns, it automatically pushes popular content to the edge of the servers, while long-tail content remains on the larger central library, lowering StarHub’s storage use and operating expenses. Relying on the completely open and scalable solution, StarHub can easily support additional streaming applications such as IPTV and cable TV in the future".

See "StarHub Deploys HTTP Live Streaming Services With Broadpeak CDN and Server Solutions" - here.

BBC Uses Adaptive Bitrate Optimization with its New iPlayer Over 3G/Wi-Fi App

The BBC announced that a new version of its iPlayer iOS application (for iPhone and iPad) now allows viewing content over a 3G connection rather than Wi-Fi only and uses Adaptive Bitrate technology. An Android application will be available soon.

David Madden, Executive Product Manager for BBC iPlayer on mobile, writes to the BBC Interent Blog that "We have worked closely with the network operators to introduce 3G streaming and create a great mobile experience so you can watch your favourite TV programme wherever you are or listen to the radio when you are out and about"

"We have also done a lot of work to improve the playback experience on portable devices and have rolled out HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) video infrastructure for the apps, which uses adaptive bitrate technologies. This enables us to detect the strength of your Wi-Fi or 3G connection and serve the appropriate video quality. If you have low internet signal strength then the video stream will adapt down to suit your connection speed; if you move onto a stronger signal then the video stream will automatically improve in quality. The idea is to give you the best possible experience wherever you are" 



Source: Apple



 

Earlier this year BBC said it will allow users to track their [fixed] ISP performance (see "BBC's Traffic-Light System will Test ISP's QoS" - here). I wonder if we will see the same over the new 3G access.
 

David provides some statistics on iPlayer - "There have been record figures for BBC iPlayer on mobile with 1.5 million installs on the Apple iPad and 1.2 million installs on Android devices since we launched the apps in February 2011. In October 2011 alone 16.5 million programmes were watched on mobile devices and tablets, up by 129% from this time last year"

See "BBC iPlayer: iPhone app and 3G streaming across all mobile networks" - here.