BT has introduced Multicast-Assisted Unicast Delivery (MAUD), a technology aimed at revolutionising the delivery of live content over the internet.
Unlike traditional ‘unicast’ delivery – which relies on individual internet streams for each viewer – MAUD employs ‘multicast’ to group these streams into a shared one, reaching multiple viewers simultaneously.
MAUD also integrates seamlessly with player applications, eliminating the need for content service providers to modify customer apps.
One of MAUD’s key advantages lies in its ability to significantly enhance the efficiency of content delivery. By eliminating the necessity to serve millions of individual streams to viewers, it not only reduces environmental impact but also lowers costs for broadcasters, Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), and internet providers.
During peak events, MAUD consumes up to 50 percent less bandwidth, resulting in reduced energy usage through the deployment of fewer caches and freeing up internet capacity for an improved overall experience.
Howard Watson, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT, said: “MAUD is a major breakthrough in how we deliver content over the internet. Developed in our world leading labs at Adastral Park in Suffolk, MAUD could be a key solution to how we manage ever increasing traffic loads.
“By combining individual streams, MAUD delivers a more reliable, consistent picture, no matter whether customers are watching over Wi-Fi, fibre, or mobile networks.”
Industry experts, including Paolo Pescatore, Founder at PP Foresight, have praised the innovation.
“Whether it’s the Euros or Eurovision, gaming over Twitch or gigs from Glastonbury, data shows that audiences still value the live experience even in the on-demand era,” commented Pescatore.
“With live sports and events driving peak network demand to new heights, it’s great to see innovation ensuring that high-quality, premium live content can reach the widest possible audiences across multiple types of device, and to be possible in an increasingly environmentally sustainable manner.”
The launch of MAUD aligns with BT Group’s new research findings, indicating that the UK public’s appetite for live content remains strong, despite the rise of on-demand services. The technology caters to the priorities of viewers who emphasise picture quality and reliability, surpassing interactive features and commentary.
MAUD, developed by BT’s Research Labs at Adastral Park, has already been presented to broadcasters at the International Broadcasting Conference, earning recognition as a technically efficient technology for IP-delivery of live content.
(Image Credit: BT)
See also: BT misses Huawei equipment ban deadline
