OTT Video over Mobile Networks: Operators Cost and Challenges

Abstract

Increase of video streaming services popularity led it to become the main contributor to LTE network load. Loaded mobile network by 3rd party applications brings cost for Mobile Network Operators to build new base stations or add additional carriers. This paper presents a short description of OTT video delivery methods, used transport protocols and typical video codecs. Also measurements of video streaming over mobile networks. Equivalent bitrate requirements for video stream measured in different LTE RF signal quality areas. It allows to evaluate LTE network capacity requirements in terms of physical resource blocks utilization.