OTT study identifies key challenges - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The latest study on over-the-top services (OTTs) has identified some key challenges militating against customer optimization of this service, reports ITRealms.

An over-the-top (OTT) is any application or service that provides a product over the Internet and bypasses traditional distribution.

The study conducted by the Commonwealth TelecommunicationsOrganisation (CTO), ITRealms gathered, showed that the majority of stakeholders recognize and appreciate the innovative nature of over-the-top services (OTTs).

However, there are some key OTT challenges militating against its optimization, including “Licensing obligations, Taxation (jurisdiction), Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE), Data protection and privacy, net neutrality, Interconnection, Universal Service Fund (USF).

They study also recommended the creation of favourable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment in terms of policies, regulations and legislations; Adopting OTT services as being part of the App economy as innovation needs to be encouraged; Encouraging countries to determine suitable frameworks through regional and international considerations; and Developing a national cybersecurity strategies, to include robust legal structures/instruments and governance to address data protection and privacy.

Further, ITRealms gathered that the study was said to have been well received and adopted by the Commonwealth ICT ministers during the CTO ICT Ministers Forum 2018.

The CTO has committed to assist the commonwealth countries to develop further internal OTT frameworks for the Commonwealth Countries. 

ITRealms recalls that Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is the oldest and largest Commonwealth intergovernmental organisation in the field of information and communication technologies. With a diverse membership spanning developed and least developed countries, small island developing states, and more recently also the private sector and civil society, the CTO aims to become a trusted partner for sustainable development for all through ICTs. More information about us here.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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OSFON counsels MNOs on OTT: Look elsewhere to balance books

ITRealms:

The Open Source Foundation for Nigeria (OSFON) has counselled the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the country to look elsewhere in effort to balance their books, instead of tinkering of how to block Nigerian telecom consumers from usage of Over-The Top (OTT) platforms, reports ITRealms.

OTT is one of the value added services (VAS) accessible over a given network service provider. OTT includes audio, video, and other media content delivered over the Internet without the involvement of a multiple-system operator (MSO) in the control or distribution of the content, which include WhatsApp, Skype and other Instant Messaging services as well as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). OTT refers to content from a third party that is delivered to an end-user, with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) basically transporting Internet Protocol (IP) packets.

Reacting to this development, OSFON through its National President, Mr. Dele Ajisomo, called for caution, noting that the news reports that MNOs are lobbying the government through the regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in efforts to block the usage of OTT platforms among Nigerians, negates the values embedded in openness of technologies which paves the way for network neutrality.

According to him, the principle of network neutrality is that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favouring or blocking particular products or websites.

OSFON emphasized that OTT cannot work comfortably without data, which are sold by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs), urging MNOs to be innovative and not limit their service offerings to data alone.

The group noted that the issue involves open and free Internet, freedom of the Internet, freedom of speech and information, in addition to access to free and open source technologies and/or software among others.

The MNOs, OSFON said, should look for other ways to balance their books and not by restricting Nigerians and their freedom to open, affordable and innovative technologies.

OSFON pointed out that access to the Internet is a human right and Nigerians will fight to keep this access, insisting that “It is actually inhumane for the MNOs to suggest blocking subscribers from any free and open technical and innovative products on the Internet.”

For the regulators and Nigeria Government, OSFON said, it is an unthinkable idea, because for some Nigerians “it’s the only means of communication with their loved ones.”

“OTT is the only way to communicate to their old age parents in the village. Nigerians in the diaspora also depend on Skype and WhatsApp to talk or see their families in Nigeria,” OSFON president said.

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MTN Nigeria unveils converged digital TV, OTT service

ITRealms:

MTN Nigeria has unveiled its much awaited converged digital television with Over-The-Top (OTT) service, reports ITRealms.

The station thus brings into convergence, telecommunications, broadcasting and media on a given technology stage.

OTT in broadcasting is the delivery of audio, video, and other media over the Internet without the involvement of a multiple-system operator.

Public Relations and Protocol Manager at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Funso Aina  in a press statement made available to the media, said the new service has initially gone live in Jos, Plateau State, beginning last Thursday.

ITRealms also gathered that the TV service follows the recent granting of a digital broadcast licence to MTN Nigeria by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) last year.

Aina also quoted the chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ferdi Moolman said, the ICT converged company is committed to providing Nigerians with innovative digital platforms which will enhance the way people live, work and play.

“Once we commence full commercial activities, the TV service will deliver an exciting bouquet of rich local and international content to Nigerians. In addition, subscribers will have the freedom to watch their favourite programmes when they choose to via MTN VOD (Video-on-demand) service, rather than having to watch at a specific broadcast time. This will be the first fully converged broadcast and OTT-VOD service to launch in MTN,” Moolman said.

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