The explosion of mobile video consumption is putting unprecedented strain on network infrastructure, challenging mobile operators and device manufacturers to find new solutions for delivering high-quality streaming experiences. Despite massive investments in 5G, the demand for bandwidth continues to grow, making efficient video compression technologies more critical than ever. We caught up with Biber, and here is what he had to say:
Q: The mobile video landscape is evolving rapidly. From a strategic perspective, what are the key challenges that we are facing?
Aytac Biber: First, there is the well-reported exponential growth of video traffic on mobile networks. Video already accounts for over 80% of all internet traffic, and that number continues to rise. Consumers aren’t only passively streaming; they’re creating and sharing content at unprecedented levels, especially on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. This demand for visual entertainment and communication is pushing mobile networks to their limits, and despite massive investments in 5G infrastructure, the strain is increasing faster than we can expand capacity.
And particularly important with mobile networks is the spectrum scarcity. The amount of available spectrum is finite, and mobile operators are in a constant battle to optimize the use of their spectrum. Without new spectrum allocation or efficiency improvements, network congestion will be inevitable, leading to degraded video experiences.
To put it into perspective, mobile video consumption surged another 30% in 2023 alone, and by 2025, it’s projected to account for 82% of all mobile traffic. The average smartphone user today consumes around 19GB of data per month, primarily driven by video. And despite the $250 billion investment in 5G infrastructure in 2023, we are still falling behind—it’s like widening a highway only to watch traffic multiply faster than we can add lanes.
Q: How can the industry align its efforts to ensure a sustainable mobile video future?
Biber: Collaboration is key. The mobile ecosystem involves multiple stakeholders—network operators, device manufacturers, content providers, and regulatory bodies—and they all need to work together to adopt next-generation video compression technologies.
One area where this collaboration is crucial is the adoption of Versatile Video Coding (VVC), the latest video standard developed by MPEG. VVC provides 30–50% better compression efficiency than HEVC, which means we can deliver higher-quality video while using significantly less bandwidth.
Mobile operators need to optimize their networks to support VVC, while device manufacturers should enable VVC decoding in hardware and software. At the same time, content providers must encode and deliver videos using the new standard. If all stakeholders move together, we can ensure that video quality improves while network efficiency is maximized.
Mobile operators, in particular, play a unique role. While they don’t directly control how content is encoded and delivered, they are in a position to advocate for industry-wide adoption of VVC, ensuring that mobile video is both high quality and bandwidth-efficient. Some markets have already started implementing VVC, proving that early adoption is not only feasible but beneficial.
Q: What role do mobile network operators play in improving the mobile video experience?
Biber: Mobile network operators control the last mile of delivery, which is often the biggest bottleneck in streaming video experiences. 70% of video buffering issues stem from last-mile congestion, especially in crowded urban areas and underserved rural regions.
Operators have already made massive investments—over $120 billion in spectrum auctions in the U.S. alone since 2020—and are deploying network slicing, edge computing, and small-cell infrastructure to optimize data delivery. However, without adopting efficient video compression, even these investments may not be enough.
The last mile is where the battle is being fought. According to Akamai, 70% of video buffering issues stem from last-mile congestion, not from the network core. This makes operators the ‘gatekeepers’ of video quality. Their role isn’t just critical; it’s the linchpin that ensures video plays smoothly.
Q: How do device manufacturers contribute to the solution?
Biber: The video experience we talk about is delivered on the device. Therefore, device manufacturers (OEMs) have a direct impact in shaping the mobile video experience.
As consumers, we are accustomed to better cameras, brighter screens, and more powerful devices every year, but video compression—which is the magical technology enabling video experiences—doesn’t evolve as rapidly on devices because adoption of a new format requires closer alignment between content service providers and manufacturers of devices and semiconductors.
Unlike displays and cameras, which get annual upgrades, video compression doesn’t evolve as quickly. Yet, it is the foundation of mobile video experiences. Device manufacturers could take a more proactive approach in rolling out support for VVC, ensuring both hardware and software decoding are optimized for better video playback.
Q: How does VVC improve mobile video experiences compared to previous compression technologies?
Biber: VVC is the most advanced video compression standard to date, offering several key technological advantages over current formats like HEVC and AV1.
One of the most important features is Reference Picture Resampling (RPR). When the resolution needs to change—say your network slows down—RPR resamples the reference frame to match the new, lower resolution. The encoder keeps using this resized frame to predict the next frame, so the stream doesn’t break with the resolution switch. This is very valuable for mobile streaming, where network conditions constantly fluctuate.
Another key feature is Adaptive Resolution Change (ARC), which acts like a traffic controller for video quality, deciding when and how to switch resolutions across a stream. Meanwhile, tools like Sub-Picture Partitioning allow efficient compression of specific areas in 360-degree videos, reducing bandwidth without compromising immersive experiences.
For real-time applications like video calls and live sports streaming, Decoding Capability Information (DCI) ensures ultra-low latency. And for screen-heavy content such as cloud gaming and remote desktop applications, Screen Content Coding (SCC) dramatically improves compression efficiency.
Q: What barriers are preventing VVC adoption, and how can they be overcome?
Biber: Transitioning to a new video standard requires coordination across the entire ecosystem—network operators, device and silicon manufacturers, and content providers all need to be on board.
Unlike traditional device upgrades like better screens and cameras, video compression improvements are less visible to consumers, making it a lower priority for manufacturers. However, industry-wide collaboration is critical to ensure adoption. Organizations like MC-IF are actively working on implementation guidelines, and we invite mobile network operators and device manufacturers to participate.
The encouraging news is that early momentum is building, with some markets already adopting VVC. However, to fully realize its potential, the industry must act now.
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To see the full interview with MC-IF’s Aytac Biber CLICK HERE