The entire world is streaming more than ever and it's straining the internet. Image credit: AdobeStock
Online streaming has become a new normal in 2021 due to the coronavirus crisis. This is one of the primary reasons why people are turning to video-on-demand services like HBO, Netflix, and Disney Plus in huge numbers worldwide. During 2020, we witnessed the birth of new streaming services platforms like Quibi, HBO Max, Peacock, etc.
The story does not end here as more media and entertainment companies are planning to launch their online streaming services in the future to make the most out of the prevailing pandemic situation.
It means the whole world will be streaming online in 2021 because people have numerous options for watching their favorite content from anywhere. That said, ISPs, mobile data organizations and telecom companies will have to improve their performance significantly.
Otherwise, they will not be able to fulfill their users’ demands in terms of internet usage and bandwidth consumption. Continue reading this post to discover how online streaming services are creating hurdles for ISPs and telecom companies worldwide.
As we all know, different streaming platforms like Hulu, YouTube TV, Hotstar, Kayo Sports, etc. have started adding live streaming features in their services.
Therefore, people prefer to watch their favorite sporting or entertainment events live on their screens. However, they cannot access live coverage of these events unless they are using a reliable and fast internet connection.
In this scenario, the role of an ISP comes in handy because it will help you to stream your favorite events without any buffering or freezing issues. That said, ISPs usually experience difficult situations when thousands of subscribers tune into their devices to watch sports tournaments or award shows at the same time. This is where online streaming platforms should support ISPs and telecom companies in improving their services.
For instance, they can provide financial assistance to ISPs and other related businesses to build their infrastructure streaming-wise. This way, ISPs will be in a better position to cater their users’ streaming needs and overcome various issues like network congestion, low bandwidth, etc. accordingly.
There is no denying that we are living in the age of online streaming where different media and entertainment giants are fighting against each other to improve their customer base.
Due to that particular reason, they have been adding several attractive features on a regular basis to keep their subscribers engaged and entertained.
These exciting features include simultaneous streams, virtual watch party, etc. If we talk about simultaneous streams feature specifically, it allows you to share your account credentials with your loved ones. As a result, your loved ones or friends can also watch their favorite shows or movies simultaneously on different devices.
But again, the role of ISPs in this situation becomes decisive because you rely on a better internet connection when you want to stream media content without any glitches.
Simultaneous streams aside, online streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video also provide an attractive watch party feature to its subscribers. This way, you can watch all your favorite movies, documentaries, shows, and other media content on your preferred devices alongside your friends or loved ones.
Still, you need to have a reliable internet connection all the time that enables you to watch content at better connection speeds. Similarly, your friends will have to use an uninterrupted internet connection that helps them interact with other users while watching the same show or movie online.
As the online streaming trend is expected to increase in the coming years, streaming services whether new or old will have to adjust their video streaming quality to support their subscribers’ online streaming activities.
By doing so, they can also help ISPs, mobile data companies and telecom enterprises indirectly in managing their users’ streaming and other online browsing activities.
During the COVID-19 crisis, ISPs operating in different countries asked Netflix, one of the leading streaming services, to reduce its streaming quality. Consequently, Netflix had to reduce its streaming quality immediately to provide much needed relief to ISPs offering their services in several countries worldwide.
Considering the impact of streaming quality on the performance of ISPs, mobile data organizations, and other telecommunication companies, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and other platforms will have to take this initiative in the near future as and when needed.
ISPs, mobile data companies, and telecom enterprises will have to take some precautionary measures urgently. Otherwise, their subscribers will face various problems like buffering, freezing, slow speeds, etc.
In this situation, streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Hulu, etc., must cooperate with ISPs and other stakeholders. This is because they are the masterminds behind this existing streaming boom.
Therefore, we can expect that people will keep subscribing to their services in massive numbers worldwide. As a result, they can significantly disrupt ISPs and mobile data companies’ performance in 2021 and beyond.