Telecommunications and broadcasting convergence 2.0: Issues and future trajectory

 ■ Telecommunications and broadcasting convergence 2.0: Issues and future trajectory

Issues can be divided into 1) business issues, 2) technical issues and 3) systemic issues.

1) Business issues

Issues include: how businesses approach the internet; they are not yet conducting live streaming and cannot see a path away from being a business that relies on advertising income; viewing histories are not being used; the issue of copyright processing has been neglected; the business is not keeping up with the fact that the internet is evolving into the realm of big-data and AI.  

2) Technical issues

The limits of terrestrial broadcasting are there for all to see. There have been innovations, such as the division of one digital channel into multiple slots for use as 1seg, but this has lost steam. We have not seen it being used effectively for multiple devices. There is no role for terrestrial broadcasting in the up-and-coming trend of 4K8K.  

3) Systemic issues

A legal framework that allows for combined services and the division of tangible and intangible aspects has been put in place, but examples of this framework being put to use are few and far between. Telecommunications services for the provision of newspapers, etc., via broadcasting bandwidth and new businesses in IoT broadcasting are envisaged. However, a detailed system has not been constructed as such visions have not yet become reality.

I will now introduce three examples to illustrate the trajectory of the field. These are 1) a version of radiko for TV, 2) Osaka Channel and 3) FLATCAST.

1) A version of radiko for TV

Editing and transmission costs can be significantly reduced by developing an IP-based radio-wave and cable-mediated multi-network. A joint-platform for TV networks has been formed. Big data on viewing histories can be fed into AI to direct viewer behavior.

2) Osaka Channel

Yoshimoto Kogyo and NTT Plala launched this smartphone streaming service, which mainly provides Yoshimoto-related programs that were broadcast on terrestrial commercial networks in the Osaka region. It also provides some original content. The monthly fee is set at ¥400. This is a model whereby a production company and a telecommunications business have made a TV platform.

3) FLATCAST

This is a demonstration project in which high-quality video is broadcast using the optic-fiber network. Broadcast video is streamed to multiple devices via IpV6 multicast from Tokyo and Osaka, etc. This uses secure technology such as blockchain, etc.  The Keio Research Institute at SFC took the lead, with cooperation from broadcasting and telecommunications operators, advertising agencies and IT operators, etc.

While not limited just to these, this requires an expansive business design that would be difficult for an individual broadcast network. I would like to see technical demonstration by telecommunications companies and international businesses, as well as requisite deregulation. However, before moving on to technical and systemic issues, I would like to see broadcast networks that are pursuing this route display a mindset of entrepreneurship. This, however, is not simple.

I believe it would be best to sketch out a new vision for media that can deal with ‘convergence 2.0’ in which the media structure and the sector as a whole is changing significantly. I look forward to seeing the design of bold deregulation measures based upon that vision.