Video Calling Consumes Too Much Bandwidth to Become Mainstream: ITEXPO Speaker

By Beecher Tuttle, TMCnet Web Editor

Mobile video chatting and conferencing has been a hot topic in the telecommunications space over the last few years. While the equipment is available, mobile networks do not have the bandwidth capacity to allow these products and services to be adopted on a widespread basis. With the recent advances in communications technology, consumers demand a higher level of video quality than mobile networks are currently capable of delivering.

For this reason, wired networks will continue to be a staple in the enterprise space, according to Rico Vitale, Senior Systems Engineer at Enablence, a leading supplier of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) equipment and optical components.

Rico recently sat down with TMC CEO Rich Tehrani (News - Alert) to discuss the concerns over wireless networking and many other of today’s most pressing issues in the communications space. He also offers his opinion on the net neutrality debate, the smart phone war and the future of unified communications.  

Finally, Rico details his upcoming role at ITEXPO West 2010, which kicks off on October 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The complete interview can be found below. 

What is the most significant trend in communications today? Why?

The movement of “everything” to the Internet. Video delivery, VoIP and enterprise applications, etc.

What is the one product or service the market is most in need of?

A product utilizing the capabilities of Soft Switches that increases demand for landline services over mobile phones. One such possible product would be a terminal phone that incorporates calls, video displays and other features. Similar to a Smart Pad, this device could include restaurant menus, etc.

When will unified communications go mainstream?

This would require better coordination between service providers of significant market power by a 3rd party aggregator like Google. Right now people don’t see the benefits of paying for such services.

Who will win the smartphone wars? Tablet wars?

I think the duopoly of Android and Apple (News - Alert) will continue for a number of years. Screen sizes between 7” and 10” will probably stabilize until the OLED screens can provide foldable displays which might capture some of the market for newspaper or magazine delivery.

Nearly every phone manufacturer is now incorporating support for wideband codecs.  Will we finally see widespread HD voice deployments in 2011?

Voice is becoming a smaller and smaller part of the mobile phone packages offered, so while HD/Wideband Audio delivers significantly improved audio quality, unless people place a monetary value on it, the investment in the equipment will not be returned.The expectations for voice quality have significantly decreased since the introduction of mobile phones. Callers expect extreme swings in background noise based on cell coverage, headset type, car or airport noise, etc.

What are your thoughts on the viability of mobile video chat or conferencing?

Apple introduced Face Time to much fanfare earlier this year, but limited the usage between iPhones running a specific application. They knew that video calling will consume even more of the precious bandwidth on the AT&T (News - Alert) network. The PSTN would not be much different if video calling were ever tried in mass on it. Major increases in Internet bandwidth capacity will be needed for mobile applications of all types to be adopted on a widespread level.

Which wireless operating system (Android, iOS4, Microsoft, etc) will see the greatest success over the next three years?  Why?

Android will see the greatest growth as it is a more open, unregulated system and has so many more hardware platforms. Apple is going to see history repeat itself as the cloned hardware (IBM (News - Alert) PC) with a standard customizable and usable OS (Windows/Android). Apple will be the “better” platform, “better” user interface, “better” Apps store, “better” music delivery system, but in the end will be more expensive and the differences will not be sufficient to capture the vast number of new phone buyers.

Some have suggested wireless networking will soon replace wired networks in the enterprise.  Do you agree? Why or why not?

No, not until the bandwidth rates are much higher on wireless. The new killer app is video and it requires high bandwidth before people are willing to pay for it ala carte. 

What do you think of the net neutrality debate?

Net neutrality (News - Alert) is “rent control” for the Internet. The same symptoms seen in rent controlled cities, where landlords will not invest in building because there is little or no return will be repeated in the Internet. If service providers are not allowed to create new revenue models that allow different content and delivery methodologies to be tried the Internet will stagnate.

What is the most overhyped technology in your opinion?

DOCSIS 3 105 Mbps to the home via cable modem. Customers are using shared bandwidth and most providers can’t come close to providing any level of SLA.

You are speaking at ITEXPO West 2010. What will attendees take away from your session?

Whether VoIP peering makes sense for business and municipalities given the change that’s occurring in the industry.

Please make a bold technology prediction for 2011.

Courts will rule the FCC cannot reclassify Internet data traffic as a phone (regulated) service.

To find out more about Rico Vitale and Enablence, visit the company at ITEXPO West 2010. To be held Oct. 4 to 6 in Los Angeles, ITEXPO is the world’s premier IP communications event. Don’t wait. Register now.

Beecher Tuttle is a Web Editor for TMCnet. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Beecher Tuttle

(source: http://communication-solutions.tmcnet.com/topics/optical-access/articles/103284-video-calling-consumes-too-much-bandwidth-become-mainstream.htm)