Streaming Media Japan 2001: Content, Business and Wireless Come Together
If you’re expecting to be greeted by the sight of companies showing off the latest in 3G vaporware as you make your way into Makuhari Messe in Tokyo’s Chiba Ward for this year’s Streaming Media Japan; you’re in for a big surprise. Instead of being bombarded by Dick Tracy-inspired video phones and the like, this year’s Streaming Media Japan is filled with businesses that are showcasing streaming media products and services that are focused on Japan’s existing (and booming) broadband networks.
And although this may seem inconsistent with everything you’ve heard about Internet developments in Japan, recent subscription numbers to NTT DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA (Freedom of Mobile multimedia Access) service versus those of broadband adoption, show solid proof that these companies have chosen the correct marketing focus for this year’s show.
Between September and October of this year, high speed DSL (Digital Subscriber Lines) in Japan grew at a rate of 42 percent, with total subscriptions poised to break the important 1 million mark by the end of this month. In addition, Japan’s existing ISDN subscriptions are far higher than in other parts of the world due to competitive pricing and a longer lag time between ISDN and ADSL rollout. On the other side of the equation, NTT DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA service boasted less than 25,000 subscribers as of last count and shows few signs of rapid expansion. And with marketers (and most media pundits) still searching for appealing products and pricing packages for the 3G network — it’s clear that the next big story in Japan is broadband.
Some Wireless News
That isn’t to say that Streaming Media Japan was devoid of all wireless pioneers, but there were only two who were present and accounted for. Wireless trendsetters PacketVideo and Israel’s Emblaze Technologies both showed compelling wireless video demonstrations, but each readily admitted that their markets in Japan are still in its formative stages.
Others who could have followed PacketVideo’s lead, clearly avoided the subject of streaming wireless applications, and chose to focus instead on sales opportunities in this market. Upon descending the steps onto the event hall floor, it was hard to miss RealNetwork’s prominent booth. Touting by far the largest platoon of scantily clad models to woo event-goers into their space, RealNetworks focused solely on its core businesses of servers and subscriptions. It introduced the RealONE media player that combines the existing RealJukebox, RealPlayer and subscription service, into one combined software.
Tucked away in a small corner of Real’s booth was one sole Sony PlayStation 2 (under glass no less), proudly displaying a Real Media logo. This souped-up PS2 should be rolling out within the next three to six months in Japan, well before Real creates any packages for Japan’s wireless platform. When asked, representatives from Real said that they hoped to see some movement in the 3G wireless space in the coming months, but conceded that no concrete plans have been forged with partners Nokia and NTT DoCoMo here in Japan.
RealNetworks wasn't the only company showing servers. Avid Technology (www.avid.co.jp) was showcasing its high-end Trilligent Cluster using Japan’s NetTV (www.net-tv.co.jp) as an example of its broadcast studio-quality streaming capabilities. And although it didn't bundle equally compelling content to bolster the image of its streaming servers, Oki’s Visual Cast Media Server and NEC’s Stream Pro Internet Streaming Server both highlighted their versatility in streaming on-demand and live content across multiple bandwidths.