Technologies such as edge computing are essential in the online world we now live in. What used to be a novelty has turned into an expectation where problems such as latency, buffering, and unreliability are no longer accepted. We have come to need and expect high-quality streaming wherever we are, which requires more than just good bandwidth. As platforms continue to grow and develop, the boundaries of real-time interactivity are being stretched, and underlying infrastructure becomes increasingly important.
Applying Lessons Across Industries
Live streaming demands immediacy and is needed across sectors and industries. A sector particularly reliant on live interactive systems is iGaming. Live casino gambling is a strong example where users can interact with real-time video and chat functions across a range of themed traditional games and slots. Therefore, the sector demands low latency and high reliability for its customers. The product may be different, but we can see the same technical needs in education. Virtual classrooms need high streaming quality and fast responses; the same can be said for other areas of entertainment too, like interactive performances.
Leaders in the industry specialize in allowing for adaptive, high-quality delivery regardless of network conditions. Bitmovin, for example, specializes in transcoding and streaming formats, while Edgio services sectors by offering more responsive content delivery for clients.
What Edge Computing Brings to Live Streaming
Edge computing has yielded an architectural shift in the industry that brings with it several benefits. Rather than using centralized data centers, edge computing moves them physically closer to where needed. Again, this affects latency, reduces costs, and brings with it an improved user experience. It can deal better with volatility in the network and works better in volatile network conditions. Videon Labs can achieve very low latency through their LiveEdge Max ecosystem. They can also improve responsiveness with local AI/ML processing
Dacast emphasizes the effectiveness of edge and distributed servers in the live video provider space. They help to maintain quality and reduce buffering in regions where connectivity to data centers is less reliable. When it comes to sports, concerts, or other time-sensitive events, technologies that can help the user experience are increasingly important. Companies like Akamai use edge caching techniques to tighten any gap between source and viewer.
Real-World Case Studies and Challenges
Huge worldwide or countrywide events can always challenge these technologies. For example, the horse race that shuts down Australia, the Melbourne Cup, is one such event. The day brings with it extreme traffic surges, but Network 10, who were carrying the event, were able to get around this by using multiple PoPs, which meant fans could watch without lag or buffering issues. Similarly, Azion is able to deliver events like the CCXP Worlds through edge computing for millions of viewers globally, all while maintaining quality and security.
Of course, as with any technologies, there remain issues and challenges. Ensuring security and managing cost trade-offs are amongst them. As well as this, live content demands technology that can handle instant interactivity and especially tight latency budgets.
In the coming years, it is expected that the role of edge computing will become even more central in the world of interactive content. Its ability to deliver trustworthy interactivity as well as low latency at scale can separate the best platforms from those that lag behind, literally! It’s not just a problem that is rearing its head in one industry but now can be seen across sectors, from iGaming to education. The future of streaming is one that promises more innovation over the coming years, so those interested should keep an eye on developments in edge computing and their deployment.
