MUSIS: MUlticasting Services and Information in Sweden
Project description
In the past decade, the Internet has spawned many innovations and services that stem from its interactive character. There are numerous indications that the ongoing process of adding mobility to interactivity will transform the role of the Internet and pave the way for yet another set of innovations and services. The convergence of computing and communication is about to turn phones and mobile terminals into powerful multimedia units. Diverse multimedia applications have flourished with recent advances in hardware and network technology, the proliferation of inexpensive video-capture devices, and widespread adoption of the worldwide web.
Why does it matter
The MUSIS project identified, developed, and tested a number of innovative mobile multimedia and information services to be distributed over wireless networks. The project ran from September 2004 through December 2005. Live market trials were conducted in Stockholm and Växjö. The project was initiated through SIBED, a joint Swedish-Israeli program that supports development and verification of technologies and applications.
Partners and funding sources
There were four major participants in the project: TeliaSonera AB served as the project coordinator and provided access to the GPRS network covering the trial areas. Bamboo MediaCasting Inc. (Israel) developed the background-push and multicastenabled platforms for cellular rich media services used in the trial. CeLeKT at Växjö University (VXU) provided the campus and initial subscriber base to develop and test several applications. Växjö University also recruited local media partners (SVT, local radio and newspapers) that contributed content for the services tested. mCity/mStudent, fully owned projects of the City
Results
The MUSIS project identified, developed, and tested a number of innovative mobile multimedia and information services to be distributed over wireless networks. The project ran from September 2004 through December 2005. Live market trials were conducted in Stockholm and Växjö. The project was initiated through SIBED, a joint Swedish-Israeli program that supports development and verification of technologies and applications.
MUSIS had three main objectives:
1.To identify and implement innovative mobile media services, particularly those suited to multicast delivery.
2.To create an innovative model for content creation and distribution for this type of service.
3. To integrate a multicast platform in the network.
Methodology
The two first objectives of the project were fulfilled and field tested. Due to the extensive testing needed to install a new component in a live network, actual multicast delivery was not implemented across the live network: instead the look-and-feel of multicast-based services was simulated for the test cadre using other optimized
Next steps
The results of the MUSIS project can be summarized as follows:
1. Users liked the ease and usability of the service. Ease of use is essential in mobile services � the whole point of the mobile is immediate access. Users don’t want to wait for download: content should be just a click away.
2. Users are willing to pay for this service, and prefer three messages a day on average. Users surveyed were willing to pay 20-50 SEK per month for a basic service package. Flat-fee subscriptions were preferred.
3. Mobile media service sparks and amplifies use of other mobile services. When the trial began, students only used their phones for voice calls and SMS messaging. Over the course of the trial, use of MUSIS services led them to use the phone for other services as MMS, WAP/Surfing, and synchronizing the phonebook/calendar and other phone facilities with their PCs. We project that even if the basic student service is free for the student (e.g. university subsidy), more usage of other services will increase the ARPU.
4. Useful content that supports everyday life is sticky for example, student users very much liked the campus and course information. Therefore, it is important that in addition to the generic content (news, fun, music), the system will provide content that is specialised and targets users’ interests (e.g. university information for the students, coupons for mobile marketing’s users).
5. Similarly, it is important to let the user personalise the service and select the content channels that they find interesting and relevant. The feeling of personalization is important, which is why users liked the channel concept of the MUSIS portal.
Publications
