Peer-to-peer video sharing
Encyclopedia
Peer-to-peer video sharing is a basic service on top of the IP Multimedia Subsystem
(IMS).
Early proprietary implementations might also run a simple SIP infrastructure, too.
The GSM Association
calls it "Video Share". The peer-to-peer video sharing functionality is defined by the Phase 1 of the GSMA Video Share service.
For a more detailed description of the full GSMA Video Share service, please see the Wikipedia entry for Video Share
.
The most basic form is typically connected to a classical circuit-switched (CS) telephone call.
While talking on the CS line the speaker can start in parallel a multimedia IMS session. The session is normally a video stream, with audio being optional (since there is an audio session already open on the CS domain). It is also possible to share photos or files.
Actually, P2P video sharing does not require a full IMS implementation. It could work with a pure IETF Session Initiation Protocol
(SIP) infrastructure and simple HTTP Digest authentication.
However, mobile operators may want to use it without username/password provisioning and the related frauds problems. One possible solution is the Early IMS Authentication method.
In the future USIM/ISIM based authentication could be introduced, too.
So the IMS adds up extra security and management features that are normally required by a mobile operator by default.
However, this method is not really scalable, since the user has to enter very complex strings into the phone book manually. Because this service does not involve any application server, it is difficult to make a good business model for it.
Usually, the first commercial services were based on the idea that video sharing will increase the length of the voice sessions, and the resulting increased revenue would be enough to cover the costs of the video sharing service.
(TIM) in Italy and Telecomunicações Móveis Nacionais, SA (TMN) in Portugal.
The first handsets to support P2P video sharing were the Nokia 6630 and 6680. The 6680 is especially suited for turning on the video sharing by having a slider on top of the back-side camera.
Later the Nokia N70 was added to the commercially supported handsets.
IP Multimedia Subsystem
The IP Multimedia Subsystem or IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem is an architectural framework for delivering Internet Protocol multimedia services. It was originally designed by the wireless standards body 3rd Generation Partnership Project , as a part of the vision for evolving mobile...
(IMS).
Early proprietary implementations might also run a simple SIP infrastructure, too.
The GSM Association
GSM Association
The GSM Association is an association of mobile operators and related companies devoted to supporting the standardizing, deployment and promotion of the GSM mobile telephone system...
calls it "Video Share". The peer-to-peer video sharing functionality is defined by the Phase 1 of the GSMA Video Share service.
For a more detailed description of the full GSMA Video Share service, please see the Wikipedia entry for Video Share
Video share
Video Share is an IP Multimedia System enabled service for mobile networks that allows users engaged in a circuit switch voice call to add a unidirectional video streaming session over the packet network during the voice call. Any of the parties on the voice call can initiate a video streaming...
.
The most basic form is typically connected to a classical circuit-switched (CS) telephone call.
While talking on the CS line the speaker can start in parallel a multimedia IMS session. The session is normally a video stream, with audio being optional (since there is an audio session already open on the CS domain). It is also possible to share photos or files.
Actually, P2P video sharing does not require a full IMS implementation. It could work with a pure IETF Session Initiation Protocol
Session Initiation Protocol
The Session Initiation Protocol is an IETF-defined signaling protocol widely used for controlling communication sessions such as voice and video calls over Internet Protocol . The protocol can be used for creating, modifying and terminating two-party or multiparty sessions...
(SIP) infrastructure and simple HTTP Digest authentication.
However, mobile operators may want to use it without username/password provisioning and the related frauds problems. One possible solution is the Early IMS Authentication method.
In the future USIM/ISIM based authentication could be introduced, too.
So the IMS adds up extra security and management features that are normally required by a mobile operator by default.
Early implementation by Nokia
The early Nokia implementation requires the manual setting of an attribute in the phone book. When the video session is triggered (by simply pulling down the back-side camera cover on a 6680), the video sharing client looks up the destination URI based on the MSISDN number of the B party of the current open CS voice call. The video sharing is possible only if this number has a valid entry in the phone book and a valid URI for the SIP call.However, this method is not really scalable, since the user has to enter very complex strings into the phone book manually. Because this service does not involve any application server, it is difficult to make a good business model for it.
Usually, the first commercial services were based on the idea that video sharing will increase the length of the voice sessions, and the resulting increased revenue would be enough to cover the costs of the video sharing service.
History
The P2P video sharing was introduced in 2004 by Nokia. Two major operators started commercial implementations: "Turbo Call" from Telecom Italia MobileTelecom Italia Mobile
TIM is Telecom Italia's mobile phone brand, and runs a GSM, EDGE, UMTS and HSDPA network in Italy and Brazil.In Europe, TIM is part of the FreeMove alliance.TIM Peru was sold to América Móvil and rebranded Claro...
(TIM) in Italy and Telecomunicações Móveis Nacionais, SA (TMN) in Portugal.
The first handsets to support P2P video sharing were the Nokia 6630 and 6680. The 6680 is especially suited for turning on the video sharing by having a slider on top of the back-side camera.
Later the Nokia N70 was added to the commercially supported handsets.
Popularity
TIM Italy reported about 10% penetration (based on the potentially available customers with appropriate handsets).External links
- http://www.gsmworld.com/sip/e2e/videoshare.shtml - GSM Association Video Share homepage
- http://sw.nokia.com/id/ced67f36-2a98-4f21-9277-209bb4a2429c/Video_Sharing.pdf - Technical description on the Forum Nokia site
- http://press.nokia.com/PR/200502/980522_5.html - Announcement of the "Turbo Call" service from TIM in cooperation with Nokia