RealNetworks inks deal with AT&T for Mobil VOD

by Mark Bassett
Published on Nov 21, 2003 12:00 AM



RealNetworks announced thier firm will provide streaming software and support that enables AT&T Wireless customers to watch VOD on cell phones. The deal comes on the heels of a similar arrangement with Sprint to deliver audio and video to their mobile phones. The service is now available on mMode-enabled Nokia 3650 handsets and the Nokia N-Gage, and costs $4.95 per month plus usage fees.

''RealOne for mMode not only gives AT&T Wireless customers advanced streaming video experience, it also gives customers a great way to catch the latest news, entertainment and sports, regardless of where they are and when they want,'' said Sam Hall, vice president of mMode services at AT&T Wireless.

AT&T Wireless has more than 22 million US subscribers, and Sprint has 2.1 million PCS users. RealNetworks made headway in the wireless market, which is considered a key area for growth, because RealNetworks has seen its PC market share dwindle. This can be attributed to the proliferation of Microsoft’s OS based Windows Media. The wireless sector is an important way for the company to reach a new set of subscribers for its RealOne audio-video entertainment service, and sell the infrastructure needed to deliver that service to providers like AT&T.

An inherent pitfall is that video demands more bandwidth than cell phones have been able to deliver. But the recently introduced AT&T’s GSM service has added enhanced data rates that they claim are the fastest in the United States.