Thinking Ahead

Web TV is growing. In Sweden a total of 4.3 million viewers watched web TV during the second quarter of 2010, according to Mediavision. Nielsen concluded in a recent study that "online consumers in all corners of the globe have demonstrated their appetite for anytime, anywhere video consumption" with statistics showing that approximately 70% of global online consumers watch online video.

How will this affect policy makers with regard to copyright clearance? In Sweden, an inquiry into copyright (SOU 2010:24) is suggesting a number of innovations to the Swedish Copyright Act. The inquiry aims to modernize and pave the way for a balanced copyright in the new digital media environment. The suggestions introduced by the inquiry are closer to the concept of the Information Society than the previous revision of the Copyright Act, based on the Directive on Copyright in the Information Society (the Infosoc Directive). Among the suggestions is the expansion of the extended collective licensing (ECL) scheme. It is proposed that the ECL become technology-neutral and not apply only to traditional "old media" with a general extended collective license. This is already in place in Denmark and is being discussed in Norway.

The Commission is also looking at new means of improving effective collective rights clearance, including through the Study on Multi-Territorial Licensing of Audiovisual Material, assigned to KEA European Affairs. The study should have been published by now but so far the only information we have been supplied with is the PowerPoint presentation the KEA team presented on June 2 in Brussels. The presentation shows that the KEA team seems to favor an ECL system for content that has not been put on the market for a certain territory. What appears to annoy the Commission and the KEA is the hold-back of content to the detriment of the consumers, by for example windowing or by territorial exclusivity. This would not be the first time the Commission has been inspired by the ECL: the Satellite and Cable Directive is based on this system of mass clearance of rights.

The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) is looking at this Sat/Cab Directive and explicitly favors the ECL for copyright clearances in the new digital world. In its "Modern Copyright for Digital Media" white paper, the organization proposes a better and more effective copyright regime adapted to the digital media landscape. The EBU says that "to date EU copyright policy has focused on strong rights whereas easy access has not been taken into account sufficiently. The sole binding instrument on rights clearance under European copyright law is the Satellite and Cable Directive. In order to realize the objectives of free circulation of, and access to, works and other protected matter, a rights clearance regime needs to be established taking into account new technology".

In a summary of its look into global viewing habits, analyst firm Nielsen concludes: "Consumers in all regions are proving their insatiable appetite for video information and entertainment – thus far adding screens to their media mix, not replacing them."

When it comes to mobile video, 11 percent of online consumers (millions in other words) are using their mobile phone regularly, Nielsen found. Researchers say that while many still question the mobile as a video platform, consumer reaction confirms the mobile phone as "an important viewing screen".

So what role then, will the tablet PC play?

Of the 27,000 people in 55 countries who responded to the Nielsen survey, 11 percent said they either own, or have a definite interest in owning a tablet PC in the coming year.

Yes, the figure is the same: 11 percent mobile video penetration, 11 percent interest in tablet PCs.

Although Nielsen didn't ask my opinion, I will wade in here nonetheless. I can't say that I will definitely buy a tablet by Christmas, but the idea does appeal. Let me explain though that I DON'T watch video on my company-supplied phone. I find the little screen frustrating as all get up, and let’s not forget the need for earphones of some kind – I must have a weird ear shape because they are never comfortable.

I do however watch a huge amount of video on my home computer! A night at our house typically sees my partner and I watching different shows – one in the lounge and one in the kitchen where our computer lives (not sure what that says about our relationship!).

A tablet would give me the flexibility to watch movies on the go in a format I find more acceptable – still need to sort out the headphones thing if in public. And it would unhook me from the kitchen to enjoy a film in the fresh air of a sunny balcony.

And let's face it, my pending trip to Poland would have more entertainment options in the airport, after take off, and when Polish TV loses its charm.

So, back to Nielsen. Can we read anything into the fact the number of people watching mobile TV and intending to get a tablet are the same? Will tablet PCs live up to predictions and become the screen to bridge the gap between traditional TV and the mobile experience?

One thing is for sure, they will redefine the way we think and talk about mobile TV in the near future.

I hate not knowing something, not being able to find an answer to a question. At work or at home, I have broadband, and Google is just a few clicks away. Give me a couple of minutes and I can find just about anything.

But until very recently, I would often get frustrated when out and about. I had GPRS, and a fairly standard phone that’s about 18 months old. But it was slow, the service not really reliable, the interface clumsy.

Working with telecom companies, and living in Sweden, I would see people using mobile broadband all the time &ndash on their iPhones or Android phones, with their laptops on the bus. I got e-mails from people who I knew were on a train. Friends would update their Facebook status while at the beach, and post photos showing what a good time they were having.

I was suffering from broadband envy.

Last week, it was time to take the plunge. I tried a couple of smartphones, looked at a couple of plans, played with some touchscreens. Noticed how quickly I could find stuff on Google, get my answers.

I knew I wanted it, I knew I couldn’t really fight the temptation. I didn’t even want to fight. I signed up for an all-you-can-eat mobile broadband, messaging and voice-call deal, with a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 and an HSPA dongle for my laptop.

I am a convert. Ask my friends. I bore them silly with all the things I can do with my phone. My wonderfully tolerant girlfriend thinks I am a bit of a nerd, but really likes my X10, and how I can find out anything, whenever I want. I can show her silly YouTube videos wherever we are.

The mobile broadband for the laptop is amazing. It feels almost as fast as the fiber I have at home. But I can take it with me. I can sit on the bus, in the café…

Then yesterday, we saw the figures, about how mobile data traffic has tripled in just one year. It is growing 10 times faster than voice traffic.

I can’t really say I am surprised. The people who haven’t got mobile broadband yet are starting to feel left out. It’s fast becoming one of the necessities of life.

I got my mobile broadband a week ago. I am firing off e-mails left, right and center. I am googling obscure artists. I am watching silly YouTube videos. I am taking my laptop with me on the bus.

And I have made three phone calls.

In the early days of the PC market, Apple was winning with their total "Apple experience" approach, from special hardware through to developers that had to pay to get access to the platform. The finished product was beautiful.

At the same time Windows licensed its OS to anybody who had a pulse and made it free and easy for anybody to develop applications on top of it.

And we know who won that race!

Are we seeing history repeat itself as Android sees a year on year growth of 886% and sales overtake iPhone for the first time?